NORMAL, Ill. - Walter Mendenhall had a career day in his first-career start at running back to lead Illinois State (3-5, 2-3 MVFC) to its first home victory this season over Youngstown State (2-8, 1-5 MVFC), 54-44, on Family Day at Hancock Stadium. The second- highest combined score in Hancock Stadium history featured five lead changes and a touchdown in every quarter.
Mendenhall had a career-high 225-rushing yards and three touchdowns. Mendenhall was the first Redbird to rush for over 200 yards in a game this season and surpassed his previous career-high with 119 rushing yards in the first half, becoming just the second Redbird this season to ellipse 100 yards in the first half.
The Redbird passing attack compiled 283 yards, led by Eyad Salem's eight catches for a career-high 186 yards and two touchdowns. Kevin Brockway was 17-for-24 for 283 passing yards and the two touchdowns to Salem. The duo connected on two pass plays over 40 yards, including a season-long 50-yard score.
Khenon Hall had a career-high 13 tackles, including a career-best nine solo stops, to lead the ISU defense. Adam Blankenship tied his career-high with five tackles, including a career-best three tackles for loss. Jason Tate intercepted two passes in the second half, the first multiple interception game of his career.
Youngstown State scored on the opening drive of the game on a 6-yard touchdown pass to Josh Lee. Mendenhall tied the game with a five-yard score on ISU's ensuing possession to tie the score, 7-7.
A 71-yard run by Josh Lee set up Youngstown State's first score of the second quarter that extended its lead to 21-10. The Redbirds came back with 15-unanswered points to take the lead for the first time, 25-21. Brockway had a one-yard touchdown run and then connected with Salem for a 50-yard touchdown pass. Youngstown State kicked a field goal at the end of the second quarter to pull within one point at halftime, 25-24.
Youngstown State took the lead back early in the third quarter with a four-yard touchdown run by Kamryn Keys, bringing the score to 30-25. The Brockway-Salem connection came through again as they hooked up for a 24-yard score and a two-point conversion to put ISU back on top, 33-30.
After a Youngstown State touchdown to start the fourth quarter, Chris Garrett took the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown that gave ISU the lead for good. It was the first ISU kickoff return for a touchdown since the Redbirds faced Youngstown State in 2004. Mendenhall had two more touchdown runs to seal a 21-point fourth quarter for ISU and preserve the victory.
Illinois State visits South Dakota State Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m.
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