CHARLESTON, Ill. – Illinois State placekicker Sean Slattery hit a 32-yard game-winning field in overtime, as the Redbirds sealed a 34-31 win over Eastern Illinois in the 104th Mid-America Classic in Charleston, Ill., on Saturday night. In one of the state of Illinois' oldest rivalry games, the Redbirds (2-1) escaped with a victory over the Panthers (0-3), despite giving up a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter.
All-American running back Marshaun Coprich was a workhorse for the 'Birds, carrying the ball 33 times - one short of his career high - for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Coprich's two touchdowns gave him the ISU all-time career total touchdowns record (41) and gave him five scores on the season. Coprich was able to find soft spots in the Panthers' defense, including a key go-ahead touchdown with 7:37 remaining in regulation. On fourth down from the EIU 15-yard line, the senior took a handoff up the middle, sprinting to the goal line and hurdling a defender to cap a 12-play, 87-yard drive and put ISU ahead, 31-24.
However, the Panthers marched down the field with a big drive of their own that went 15 plays for 71 yards, ending in a five-yard touchdown run from Jalen Whitlow on a quarterback keeper to tie the game, 31-31, with under two minutes remaining. The Redbirds then were able to breathe a sigh of relief when the EIU kicker Nick Bruno missed a potentially game-winning field goal at the end of regulation that gave ISU the chance to win in overtime.
In the extra session, the 'Birds won the toss and elected to play defense first, which paid off when Alec Kocour stripped the ball and Matt McCown was able to get a hand on it for the recovery to set up Slattery's kick.
The Panthers got off to a hot start, firing out of the gate with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that took just over four minutes off the clock, culminating in a 23-yard pass from Jalen Whitlow to Anthony Taylor. The 'Birds responded, as Slattery nailed a career-long 50-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3. Coprich then capped a six-play, 57-yard drive with a five-yard diving touchdown to give ISU its first lead, 10-7, before the Panthers bounced back with a touchdown drive of their own to take the lead back, 14-10.
The 'Birds then took what seemed like a commanding lead with two touchdowns in the second quarter, when quarterback Tre Roberson bounced a three-yard run off tackle to pay dirt. Then, with 1:07 remaining, Roberson connected with Michael Clements on a 40-yard post pattern to take a 24-14 lead for the tight end's first career touchdown. But, with under 30 seconds remaining in the half, Roberson was picked off by Seth McDonald, who returned the interception 20 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 24-21 going into halftime.
The third quarter was a stalemate, as both defenses stood tall and both squads were held scoreless. With 14:18 left in the fourth quarter, the Panthers tied the score, 24-24, with a field goal before the two long drives by each squad churned up most of the remaining game clock.
On offense, the Redbirds were led in receiving by Anthony Warrum, who hauled in five catches for 96 yards, including an outstanding 39-yard catch while tight roping the sidelines to set up Coprich's fourth-quarter score. Clements added two catches for 50 yards and his score.
On defense, Kocour led the 'Birds with a career-best 14 total tackles, including one tackle-for-loss in addition to his key forced fumble. David Perkins was also outstanding, coming up with 10 tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups by leaping into the air and batting the ball down at the line of scrimmage. McCown also added 10 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and his fumble recovery.
ISU now heads into its bye week before gearing up to take on nationally-ranked Northern Iowa on Oct. 3 on Family Weekend at Hancock Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:04 CT and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
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