NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State dominated No. 24 Eastern Illinois on both sides of the ball, as the Redbirds won, 34-15, at Hancock Stadium on Family Weekend in front of 12,570 fans.
The Redbirds (2-0) received the kick to open the game and started with a strong 65-yard drive down the field, led by running back Marshaun Coprich's 32-yard run that put Illinois State inside the Panthers' (0-3) redzone. Coprich finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown rush on third-and-goal. The Redbirds converted the extra point to give them a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Panthers struck first in the second quarter with a 43-yard field goal from kicker Nick Bruno. The drive began at the end of the first quarter on the Redbirds' 44 yard line after Illinois State quarterback Tre Roberson threw his only interception of the game. Illinois State's defense held EIU to a field goal, as the Panthers pushed the ball, but could not convert for a touchdown on third-and-goal. After the field goal, the Redbirds led the Panthers, 7-3.
After a series of punts with the Panthers gaining ground, the Redbirds prepared to start a drive on their own 39-yard line. On first down, Roberson spotted wide receiver Lechein Neblett with one-on-one coverage deep down the field and connected for a 61-yard touchdown pass. The extra point gave Illinois State a 14-3 lead.
EIU answered the Redbird score by kicking a field goal from 36-yards into the wind. Bruno was 2-for-2 with field goals, giving the Panthers their only points in the first half.
With five seconds left in the first half, Coprich scored another Redbird touchdown with a two-yard run, sparked by an interception by true freshman DraShane Glass, his second interception in the first two games. Roberson connected with Neblett for a deep 46-yard pass that put the Redbirds ahead of the Panthers' seven yard line and led to Coprich's eventual score. Illinois State headed to the locker room at half time leading EIU, 21-6.
The Panthers came out in the second half with a powerful, 1:26 touchdown drive to decrease the 15-point Redbird lead to eight. EIU quarterback Jalen Whitlow scored the touchdown with a 14-yard rush, making the score 21-13.
With the Redbirds forced to punt on their next possession, EIU began driving down the field. Whitlow dropped back for a passing play and was pressured by the Redbird defense as lineman Collin Keoshian tipped the pass that was intercepted by linebacker Alex Donnelly. Donnelly returned the interception down to EIU's 15-yard line where the scoring drive was capped by a field goal from kicker Nick Aussieker, giving the Redbirds a 24-14 lead.
Illinois State's defense and offense continued to complement each other as lineman Teddy Corwin intercepted Whitlow at the EIU 39 yard line. Two plays later, Neblett beat his defender and Roberson placed a perfect pass in his hands for another Redbird touchdown. After the Panthers next possession and punt, Illinois State drove down the field and Aussieker kicked a 41-yard field goal. At the end of the third quarter, Illinois State led 34-13.
In the fourth quarter, EIU pushed down the field to the Redbird one yard line, but the Redbird defense stopped the drive as defensive back Tevin Allen forced a fumble and linebacker Oshay Dunmore recovered. On the next possession, the Redbirds were tackled for a loss and a safety, but still led 34-15.Â
Defensively, Pat Meehan led the team with 11 tackles, including seven solo-stops, in the win. Meehan also totaled two sacks and four tackles-for-loss. As a team, the defense forced four sacks, seven tackles-for-loss, and two forced fumbles.
This Redbirds enter a bye week, but will face Austin Peay at Hancock Stadium on the following Saturday, Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available on GoRedbirds.com, by calling (309) 438-8000 or by visiting the ISU ticket office.
GoRedbirds.com:Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
