Nov. 10, 2007
CARBONDALE, Ill. -
Led by a hard-hitting defense, the Illinois State Football team leads in-state rival Southern Illinois, 6-0, after one quarter of play in the Redbirds' season finale Saturday at McAndrew Stadium in Carbondale, Ill.
The Redbirds were able to get on the board early in the first quarter, after Jesse Caesar forced a fumble during the Salukis' opening drive. On third down-and-five at the Saluki 30-yard line, quarterback Nick Hill found an open receiver, tight end Byron Gettis, in the middle of the field. Caesar then hit Gettis at the 50-yardline, causing Gettis to fumble, and linebacker Kye Stewart pounced on the loose ball. The Redbirds then marched downfield and found the end zone, as Rice cut through a hole in the right side on a three-yard touchdown plunge, giving the Redbirds a 6-0 lead with 10:55 left in the first.
Stay Tuned to GoRedbirds.com for quarter-by-quarter updates during Saturday's game.
