Redbirds Advance With 36-19 Win Over The Leathernecks

NORMAL, Ill. – After falling behind early in the third quarter, the Illinois State football team bounced back for a 36-19 win over Western Illinois in the second round of the FCS Playoffs on Saturday afternoon at Hancock Stadium.

The Redbirds (10-2) used 217 yards rushing from FCS Offensive Player of the Year finalist and Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year Marshaun Coprich to edge out the Leathernecks (7-6). It was the senior's third straight 200-yard game and his sixth career 200-plus yard performance. Quarterback Tre Roberson also contributed a solid game on the ground with 111 yards and two scores. The pair helped the 'Birds outlast a solid performance from WIU quarterback Sean Maguire, who finished with 341 yards passing with two touchdowns.

ISU started off hot with a first quarter touchdown run by Coprich, but a pair of turnovers allowed WIU to keep pace as the Redbirds went into the locker room at halftime with a 7-6 lead following a pair of field goals by the Leathernecks' Luke Otto.

The Leathernecks came out firing in the second half with a 91-yard drive on their first possession of the half to take a 12-7 lead following the blocked extra point attempt. However, the 'Birds answered immediately with a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a five-yard rushing score from Roberson. The signal-caller then found Anthony Warrum in the end zone on the ensuing two-point conversion to make the score 15-12 in favor of the Redbirds. 

Warrum finished with 107 yards and a touchdown on six catches. The touchdown was the 14th on the year for Warrum, who now holds the ISU single season touchdown catches record after breaking a tie at 13 with Rickey Garrett (1998).

The touchdown drive ended up being a springboard for the Redbirds, as they marched the field on their next possession and Roberson outsprinted several defenders up the right sideline for a 22-12 lead. The team was able to match a WIU touchdown to make it 22-19 on the next drive with a 21-yard strike from Roberson to Warrum. Coprich then sealed the game with a 72-yard rushing touchdown with under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. 

Following the win the No. 2 seed Redbirds will now host No. 7 Richmond (9-3) Friday, Dec. 11, at Hancock Stadium beginning at 6:30 p.m. Game tickets go on sale Monday morning at 9 a.m. online at GoRedbirds.com/tickets or fans can call (309) 438-8000 to order.

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