NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State quarterback Matt Brown tied his career-high with five touchdown passes, and the Redbird defense limited Morehead State to negative-48 rushing yards, as the Redbirds (1-1) beat Morehead State (1-1), 52-21, in ISU's home-opener Saturday night at Hancock Stadium.
Brown finished the game passing 12-for-17 for 286 yards, while Tyrone Walker caught three passes, all for touchdowns, totaling 120 yards. Marvon Sanders hauled in a team-high four passes for 127 yards and one touchdown. It was the third time Walker and Sanders have both amassed more than 100 yards in the same game. Ashton Leggett led the ISU ground attack with 17 carries for 110 yards. Morehead State quarterback Zach Lewis was 35-for-53 with 371 yards and two touchdowns.
Austin Davis was ISU's leading tackler, totaling eight total and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. Eric Brunner and Colton Underwood each forced two sacks, and Brunner had a team-high 3.5 tackles-for-loss. May Keaton led the Eagles defensively, with seven total tackles.
After receiving the ball to start the game, Illinois State's first offensive drive was highlighted by Leggett's 22-yard run, which allowed the Redbirds to reach the Morehead State 42-yard line. But on third-and-two, Brown fumbled as he attempted to run for the first down. Morehead State's Jerome Raymond recovered the fumble which was forced by Aaron Meadows and returned to the Eagles' 45-yard line. Despite the turnover, the Redbird defense forced Morehead State to go three-and-out.
The Redbirds scored their first touchdown later in the first half, as Brown connected with a streaking Sanders for a 73-yard touchdown play, which was a career-long reception for the junior from Indianapolis. It was the lone play of the drive, and Nick Aussieker's extra point kick was good, giving ISU a 7-0 lead.
Illinois State added seven more points on Morehead State's next possession, as Otis Merrill forced a fumble, and Nate Palmer picked up the loose ball and returned it 42 yards for the score. Aussieker's point-after was through the uprights to give ISU a 14-0 lead. ISU's defense again stepped up on the Eagles' next possession, as Colton Underwood forced a Morehead State fumble, which was recovered by Brunner and returned to the Eagles' 12-yard line. Two plays later, Brown fired a 10-yard pass to Walker, who made a one-handed grab for the touchdown. Aussieker's kick gave ISU a 21-0 lead with 6:21 left in the first quarter.
Aussieker increased ISU's advantage to 24-0 at the end of the first quarter with a 27-yard field goal that capped off a seven-play, 52-yard drive. Aussieker kicked another field goal in the second quarter, but the 43-yard attempt missed wide to the right. Morehead State threatened to score near the end of the first half, but on fourth-and-nine, a 29-yard field goal attempt by Rainer Duzan missed wide to the left, giving Illinois State a 24-0 halftime advantage.
The Redbirds added to their lead on their first offensive drive of the second half, consisting of five plays and 88 yards. Brown connected with Walker for a 46-yard touchdown to cap the drive. Walker's second touchdown of the night and Aussieker's extra point extended ISU's lead to 31-0. The Eagles responded with their first score on a one-yard touchdown run by Desmond Cox and a Duzan extra point. The eight-play, 62-yard drive cut the Redbird lead to 31-7.
Illinois State quickly answered, as Brown found Walker for the third time. A 64-yard reception and an Aussieker PAT increased ISU's advantage to 38-7 with 7:26 remaining in the third quarter. The Redbirds added to their lead with another Brown touchdown pass, this time to Matt Younger for a 21-yard completion. The extra point made it 45-7. Later in the quarter, with 13.2 seconds remaining, Lewis threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Thomas trim ISU's lead to 45-14. Lewis connected with Thomas again with 3:21 to play in the game, as Lewis grabbed a 19-yard reception to finish a 10-play, 97 yard drive, making the score 45-21.
The Redbirds scored their final touchdown with a 25-yard run by Darrelynn Dunn, his first ISU-career touchdown. The extra point gave ISU a 52-21 lead, which was ultimately the final score.
After finishing non-conference play with a 1-1 record, Illinois State begins Missouri Valley Football Conference play next Saturday, Sept. 17 at Youngstown State. Kickoff in Youngstown, Ohio is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT. Complete coverage of the game will be available on GoRedbirds.com, and fans who would like to see a replay of Saturday night's halftime fireworks show can view it by visiting GoRedbirds.com/blog.
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