Nov. 4, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
In what could be his final game at Hancock Stadium, running back Pierre Rembert made his Senior Day game a memorable one, as he rushed for 112 yards and three touchdowns in No. 8 Illinois State's 38-14 victory over Missouri State in the Redbirds' 2006 home finale on Saturday.
The win improved the Redbirds' record to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the Gateway Football Conference, keeping them in a virtual tie for the conference lead and in position to host a home playoff game. The loss dropped Missouri State's record to 1-9 overall and 0-6 in the GFC on the season.
The Illinois State offense regained its swagger against the Bears, as Rembert recorded his eighth 100-yard effort of the season, one behind the school record, and junior quarterback Luke Drone connected on 19-of-26 passes, for 305 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing). The game marked the first time this season Drone passed for over 300 yards. Rembert's three rushing touchdowns give him 13 on the season and 25 for his career, moving him into sole possession of third place on the school's all-time career list.
The Redbirds scored the first points of the game just over three minutes into the game, when Rembert rushed nine yards to finish off the 7-play, 78-yard opening scoring drive.
The `Birds pushed the lead to 14-0 with 5:02 left in the first quarter when Drone capped off an 80-yard drive by diving over center from one yard out for his second touchdown of the season. ISU started the drive on its own 20-yard line as a result of senior safety James Temple's interception in the end zone of Missouri State quarterback Tyler Horner on the Bears' opening drive.
The Redbird defense stood tall again on MSU's second possession, when junior linebacker Kye Stewart stopped Horner on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line three seconds into the second quarter. The `Birds' offense proceeded to march on a 14-play, 98-yard drive, that took 6:41 off the clock and resulted in Rembert's second rushing touchdown of the game, this time from two yards out, and gave ISU a 21-0 lead, which they took into the half.
The Birds continued their offensive onslaught by scoring on their first three drives of the second half. The Redbirds increased their lead to 35-0 following Rembert's third rushing touchdown of the game, from five yards out, and Drone's 25-yard touchdown strike to junior wide receiver Dan Passarelli. Passarelli's first career touchdown catch was set up by senior linebacker Cameron Siskowic's second forced fumble of the season, which was recovered by junior cornerback Jesse Caesar, on the Bears' opening drive of the second half. Sophomore kicker Kevin Mazur tacked on the Redbirds' final tally by nailing a 24-yard field goal with 9:24 left in the game.
Missouri State scored both of their touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Running back RaMel McIntosh put the Bears on the board with his 1-yard scamper three seconds into the final period and wide receiver Jeremy Nicholson hauled in a 19-yard touchdown strike from Horner with 5:44 left in the game to give MSU its 14 points.
Illinois State closes out the season on a two-game road trip beginning next Saturday in Terre Haute, Ind., against Indiana State. Kick-off is set for 11:05 a.m.
