Sept. 2, 2006
Final Stats
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Heading into Saturday's football season opener against Kansas State, the Illinois State Redbirds were determined to give their Division I counterparts a tough game. That is certainly what the Wildcats received from the Redbirds, as a failed two-point conversion with 3:02 left in the fourth quarter left the `Birds a point short and ISU was defeated 24-23 in front of 47,250 fans at the newly dedicated Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
On the first play from scrimmage, ISU safety Tom Nelson intercepted a long pass from KSU quarterback Dylan Meier and put the Redbirds on offense. The `Birds took full advantage of the early turnover as Kevin Mazur capped off a 11-play, 53 yard scoring drive with a 35-yard field goal to give the Redbirds a 3-0 lead with 9:42 left in the first quarter.
The Wildcats missed a field goal with 37 seconds left in the first quarter, giving the 'Birds a 3-0 lead after one quarter of play. Kansas State would come out strong in the second quarter though, as kicker Jeff Snodgrass connected on a 52-yard field goal to tie the score at 3-3 with 4:54 left in the half. The Wildcats then continued to impress on special teams, as Yamon Figurs returned a Bobby Kelsey punt 81 yards for a touchdown to give KSU a 10-3 lead with just under two minutes remaining in the half.
After receiving the kickoff to start the second half, the Redbirds wasted little time tying up the score. With the ball on the ISU 24-yard line and facing second down, Luke Drone connected with Pierre Jackson on a 70-yard strike down the sideline to put the `Birds on the Kansas State six-yard line. Two plays later, Drone found Laurént Robinson in the end zone for a four-yard touchdown pass and the 23rd of his career, which made him ISU's all-time leader in career touchdown receptions. Kevin Mazur's extra point followed and knotted the score at 10-10 with 12:25 left in the third quarter.
KSU would answer with 4:35 left in the quarter to re-take the lead 13-10, as Snodgrass connected on his second field goal of the game, this time from 41 yards out. The score would stay that way until the fourth quarter when Drone and Robinson hooked up on their second touchdown pass to put the Redbirds up 17-13. KSU then cut the ISU lead to one 17-16 on Snodgrass' third field goal of the game with 8:36 left to go.
On the ensuing kickoff, however, ISU's Jason Horton fumbled on the return and KSU's Byron Garvin returned the fumble nine yards to put the Wildcats up 24-17. The Redbirds would not go away, though, as Drone then led his team to an 11-play, 47-yard scoring drive that culminated in a three-yard touchdown pass to Jackson to cut the lead to 24-23. Head coach Denver Johnson then made the call to go for the two-point conversion, but Drone was unable to break the plane on the quarterback draw and ISU was left one point behind with 3:02 left in the game.
After forcing the Wildcats to go three-and-out on the next possession, the Redbirds got the ball back with 1:35 left to play and took one last shot down the field. However, ISU could not muster a first down and the KSU defense secured the 24-23 victory. Drone finished the game 24-of-38 for 253 yards and three touchdowns and Pierre Rembert finished with 105 yards rushing on 29 carries. Cameron Siskowic paced the Redbird defense with 15 tackles, while Nelson finished the game with two interceptions.
Next up for the Redbirds will be Central Arkansas, which will face the 'Birds next Saturday in ISU's home opener at Hancock Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
