Sept. 22, 2007
Final Stats |
Notes
COLUMBIA, Mo. -
The Illinois State football team played hard for four quarters, but were unable to stop Missouri's offensive attack, as the Redbirds fell to the Tigers, 38-17, in front of 56,137 fans Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo. The Tigers were able to dominate on the offensive side of the ball, as they racked up 581 yards of total offense, the most given up by ISU since 2005.
The Tigers, who improved to 4-0 for the second-straight season, were led by quarterback Chase Daniel's 294 yards of passing. Daniel was 21-for-34, and threw for three touchdowns and two interceptions. Mizzou also had it going on the ground, as senior tailback Tony Temple racked up 106 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown.
The Redbirds fell to 2-2 on the season, and were led by sophomore receiver Eyad Salem, who had a career day with seven catches for 106 yards. Salem also scored his first-career touchdown on a 13-yard reception late in the fourth quarter. Senior Kye Stewart had a game-high 15 tackles, while Junior Tom Nelson grabbed two interceptions, giving him six for his career.
After Missouri returned the opening kickoff to the 43-yardline, Illinois State was unable to set up on defense and the `Birds were forced to take their first timeout. The Tigers then struck on their first play from scrimmage, as Daniel hit wide receiver Will Franklin on a slant route and Franklin took it the distance for a 57-yard touchdown with 14:43 remaining in the first quarter.
Facing a third-down situation deep in Redbird territory, Mizzou struck again at the 6:03 mark in the first quarter. Daniel hit Temple on an 11-yard touchdown catch to capitalize a 10 play, 53-yard scoring drive. The Tigers were able to control the line of scrimmage throughout the drive, clearing holes for Temple to navigate through the Redbird defense.
However, the Redbird offense was able to respond on their next possession, as Illinois State put together a 12 play, 66-yard drive that ended with a 21-yard field goal from Tyler Funk with 12 seconds left in the quarter.
After the Tigers returned the kickoff, the Redbird defense also responded in its own way. The ISU defensive front applied pressure on the first play of the drive and forced Daniel to scramble and throw a pass that was picked off by Nelson at the 31-yardline for the Redbirds' first pick of the season. The Redbirds were able to move into scoring position, however, were unable to put any points on the board after a Luke Drone pass was incomplete to Salem on fourth down at the Mizzou three-yard line.
The Tigers then went ahead, 21-3, on an eight-yard touchdown reception by Jeremy Maclin, which put the finishing touches on a 97-yard scoring drive. The drive, which took 2:40 off the clock, was the longest that the Redbirds have given up this season.
The Redbird offense was able to respond again, as Parrish Fisher pounded in a 4-yard touchdown run with 3:41 left in the half. Fisher, who scored his first touchdown in a Redbird uniform, ended a nine play, 84-yard drive that took 4:44 off the clock. The drive was Illinois State's longest of the 2007 season. The half ended with a 26-yard field goal from Mizzou kicker Jeff Wolfert as time expired, which put Missouri ahead, 24-10.
After the Redbirds' opening drive in third quarter stalled on the Missouri 35 yard line, the Illinois State defense was able to keep Mizzou from scoring as Walbert was unable to connect on a 34-yard field goal attempt. But, the Redbirds were unable to capitalize again after the drive ended on an incomplete pass on third-and-2 and ISU was forced to punt. Missouri increased its lead, 31-10, on a one-yard touchdown run from Temple with 49 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Tigers added another touchdown at the 14:35 mark in the fourth quarter, as Maclin returned a Bobby Kelsey punt 64 yards to put MU ahead, 38-10. The return was the first touchdown that the Redbirds had given up on a punt since Sept. 9, 2006, when Kansas State's Yamon Figurs ran back a punt 81 yards.
The Redbirds will return home to face the Northern Iowa Panthers next Saturday, Sept. 29. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.
