Oct. 6, 2007
Final Stats |
Notes
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -
After trailing early and then re-gaining the lead, running back Geno Blow and the No. 22 Illinois State football team lost momentum in the third quarter and fell to the Missouri State Bears, 58-41, in front of 11, 058 fans Saturday afternoon at Plaster Field in Springfield, Mo. Blow eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the third-straight game and led all rushers with 155 yards on the ground, but the Redbirds turned the ball over three times in the defeat.
Illinois State, who falls to 2-4 and 0-2 in Gateway Football Conference play for the first time since 2005, was unable to keep Missouri State out of the end zone, as they gave up a season-high 58 points. MSU's 58 points were also the most ISU has given up since suffering a 58-14 loss to No. 7 Western Kentucky Nov. 3, 2001.
Missouri State was able to take an early 10-0 lead, as the Bears drove inside the red zone on its first two possessions. Kicker Nathan Stokes converted on a 22-yard field goal attempt, and MSU running back Kingjack Washington broke through for a 23-yard touchdown run with 5:51 left in the first quarter. Washington's run capped off a six play, 47-yard drive that gave Missouri State the early momentum.
Missouri State forced the first turnover of the afternoon when defensive end Clayton Dickehut tipped a Luke Drone pass and was able to haul it in as he fell to the ground at midfield. The Bears capitalized on the take away, as tailback Gerald Davis pounded in a touchdown from two-yards out, on fourth-and-goal, to open up the second quarter and make the score 17-0.
The Redbirds were able to use a trick play to get on the board in the second quarter, as the Redbirds were threatening on the Missouri State 30-yard line. As the Redbird offense appeared to be getting ready to huddle for the next play on third down-and-15, Drone walked over to the ball and quickly snapped it to the running back, Blow, who caught the defense off-guard and took it 30-yards for the touchdown. Kicker Steven Fetzer made his first-career extra point, cutting into the Bears' lead at 17-7 with under 10 minutes left in the half.
The Redbirds were able to continue to swing the momentum, as Illinois State forced the Bears to a three-and-out on its next possession. Missouri State lined up to punt on fourth down and Bert Whigham supplied the excitement, as he was able to bust through the Bears' line and block the punt, which was recovered by Wesley Williams at the MSU 16-yard line. The Redbirds then scored on its second play, as Drone tucked it in and found the end zone from four-yards out to make it a 17-14 game with 8:28 left.
ISU caused more problems for Missouri State on the ensuring drive, as Davis took a handoff and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by defensive end Adam Blankenship at the MSU 17-yard line. The Redbirds were able to take the lead, 21-17, when Drone hit tight end Kedric Meredith on a three-yard touchdown pass. Meredith caught his third-career touchdown reception, which was his second this season.
The troubles for Missouri State continued on the kickoff, as Bobby Kelsey kicked it short, causing the ball hit the ground and bounce off Washington's knee pad, and Kelsey fell on top of the ball to give ISU the ball back at the MSU 36-yard line. Blow pounded it in for a touchdown from 11-yards and Fetzer made the extra point, giving the Redbirds a 28-17 advantage with 2:39 left in the quarter.
The Bears were able to re-gain composure with an effective two-minute drill, as quarterback Cody Kirby connected with wide receiver Jared Emery on a two-yard touchdown catch on fourth-and-goal with 15 seconds remaining. Stokes made the extra point, making the score 28-24 at the half.
MSU was able to re-gain the lead on its opening possession of the third quarter, 31-28, when Washington scored his second touchdown of the game on a 43-yard catch with 9:10 left in the period. The six play, 81-yard drive was the eighth scoring drive of 80-plus yards that the Illinois State defense has surrendered this season.
On ISU's ensuing possession, Drone found his rhythm and connected on three consecutive attempts, including a 14-yard strike to senior receiver Jason Horton, who managed to keep a foot in-bounds as he caught the 100th ball of his Illinois State career. The Redbirds were able to respond, 34-31, as Drone dived into the end zone on first-and-goal for his third rushing touchdown of the season.
Missouri State scored again, when Davis scored his second touchdown of the game, this time on a 17-yard run. Stokes made the extra point to give MSU a four-point advantage, 38-34 at the 2:20 mark in the third. The Bears were able to re-gain possession, when safety Derek Miller tipped Drone's pass intended for Horton on third down, and linebacker Jeron Poole made the grab to give Missouri State the ball at the 12-yard line. Kirby then found tight end Clay Harbor on a 10-yard touchdown grab to close out the quarter and give MSU a 45-34 lead.
After the Redbirds were unable to convert on fourth down at the Missouri State 35-yard line, the Bears added to their lead, as Eric Davis caught a pass on the first play of the drive and took it 64-yards for the score. However, Stokes was unable to convert the PAT, leaving the score 51-34 with 11:43 left in regulation.
Blow was able to keep the `Birds in contention by scoring on the ground for a third time, plowing through the Bears' defensive line for a one-yard score with 7:30 left, ending a 12 play, 59-yard drive. Blow's touchdown made him the first Redbird to score three touchdowns in a game since Pierre Rembert scored three against Missouri State Nov. 2, 2006. The score also put the Redbirds within striking distance, at 51-41. But the Bears were able to control the ball on the ground and chew up the clock to end the game.
The Redbirds will return home to face the Indiana State Sycamores next Saturday, Oct. 13. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.
