ST. LOUIS – Illinois State junior middle linebacker Pat Meehan led the way for the Redbird defense in their 34-15 defeat of No. 24-ranked Eastern Illinois Saturday in the Mid-America Classic. For his efforts, Meehan was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week by the league office Sunday.
Meehan was all over the field and led the Redbird defense in the victory over the Panthers. The Frankfort, Illinois, native led the team with 11 tackles against EIU and set career-bests with two sacks and four tackles-for-loss. Meehan added a pass breakup and intercepted his first career pass, which he returned for 12 yards late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory for the Redbirds.Â
With Saturday's win over Eastern Illinois, the Redbirds improved to 2-0 on the season and have now won their last seven games in a row at Hancock Stadium, dating back to last season. The streak is the longest for the Redbirds since the team won nine in a row from Nov. 14, 1998, to Aug. 31, 2000. The Redbirds are also 24-6 over the past six seasons at home under the leadership of head coach Brock Spack.
ISU will have a bye week, before returning to action on Saturday, Sept. 27, at home against Ohio Valley Conference foe Austin Peay. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Hancock Stadium.
GoRedbirds.com:Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
