NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State football team bounced back from a season-opening loss against Iowa by defeating the Morgan State Bears, 67-14, during the Redbirds' home opener Saturday evening, in front of a sell-out crowd of 13,391 at Hancock Stadium.
All-American Marshaun Coprich helped the Redbirds (1-1) extend their home winning streak to 14 games by rushing for 130 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries against the Bears (0-2). Coprich broke former Redbird Toby Davis' program record (37) for career rushing touchdowns with two first half scores, while tying Davis' record for total touchdowns (39) with a third quarter score.
Quarterback Tre Roberson led ISU with a solid performance, finishing 9-for-13 for 259 yards and career-best four touchdowns. Anthony Warrum led the Redbird receiving corps with five catches for 126 yards and three touchdowns, and Christian Gibbs had a nice night with two receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown, including a career-long 70-yard grab for a score.
The Redbirds got off to hot start, taking full control of the game by taking a 22-0 lead in the first quarter. ISU capped its first two drives of the contest with placekicker Sean Slattery nailing a career-long 48-yard field goal and later adding a 40-yarder. Slattery added a 44-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to finish 3-for-3 on the night. The Redbird defense then forced a punt on Morgan State's third drive of the game, but the ensuing snap sailed over the punter's head into the back of the end zone for a safety for an 8-0 Redbird lead.
On the ensuing free kick, George Moreira set the 'Birds up with great field position at the 25-yard line following a 54-yard return. Coprich then punched in his first touchdown of the game from one yard out to cap a three-play drive and put ISU ahead, 15-0. Roberson then connected with Gibbs on a 70-yard vertical route to extend the Redbirds' lead to 22-0, which tied Roberson's career long. Following a Morgan State touchdown drive, ISU fired back immediately with a 57-yard touchdown catch by Warrum on the first play after the Bears' score to extend the lead, 29-7.
The Redbirds wrapped up the first half with a 22-yard rushing touchdown by Coprich, which set the ISU career rushing touchdowns record and gave the team a commanding 36-7 lead at halftime.
To start the second half, ISU stormed out of the gate aggressively with three straight touchdown drives, starting with a seven-play, 65-yard drive on the opening possession, punctuated by a Warrum three-yard touchdown reception. Coprich later plunged in from one yard out before Warrum hauled in a 34-yard touchdown to give the 'Birds a 57-7 lead. The Bears added a fourth quarter touchdown, but Slattery's third field goal make and George Moreira punched the ball in from one yard out for his first career touchdown to wrap up the scoring, 67-14.
The Redbirds dominated the Bears on offense, finishing with 488 yards compared to just 256 yards for the Bears. Helping the strong defense for ISU were four different players picking up five tackles, including Alex Donnelly, who picked up four solo stops and a forced fumble. Brent Spack led the way with for the unit with seven total tackles, including four solo and one tackle-for-loss.
ISU will look to pick up an elusive win next week, when they square off against the Eastern Illinois Panthers (0-2) Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in Charleston, Ill., in the Mid-America Classic. Â
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