No. 14 Redbirds Roll Past The Leathernecks 33-16

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State football team bounced back after a tough loss last week with a solid win over longtime in-state rival Western Illinois, as the No. 14 Redbirds (4-1, 1-1 MVFC) scored 21 fourth-quarter points to defeat the Leathernecks (2-3, 1-1 MVFC) by a score of 33-16 on a gloomy Saturday afternoon at Hancock Stadium.

How it Happened:
•    Western Illinois scored on its opening possession of the game, as quarterback Sean McGuire connected with wide receiver Tony Tate for 16 yards to go up 6-0. 
•    Illinois State's Devin Taylor blocked the extra point attempt, however, and Willie Edwards picked up the ball and returned the PAT to the end zone as Western Illinois led Illinois State 6-2 with 11:41 remaining in the first quarter.
•    The Redbirds scored offensively for the first time, as James Robinson scored on a 12-yard touchdown run to make it 9-6 with 10:15 remaining in the first half. 
•    Illinois State extended its lead off the foot of JT Bohlken, as he nailed a 22-yard field goal to make the score 12-6 with 3:59 remaining in the first half.
•    The Fighting Leathernecks reclaimed the lead with a minute to go before halftime on a 35-yard touchdown pass from McGuire to Steve McShane, as WIU took a 13-12 at halftime.        
•    Western Illinois tacked on three more points on a 21-yard field goal from Sam Crosa to extend the lead to 16-12 with 7:21 to play in the third quarter. 
•    The lead would change once again at 19-16, as Robinson punched it in on an 11-yard touchdown run that saw him tiptoe down the sideline and into the end zone with 10:31 left in the game.    
•    Luther Kirk put the nail in the coffin on a 39-yard pick six, as the Redbirds went up 26-16 with 4:28 remaining in the game.    
•    Robinson would then score with 10 seconds remaining in the game to seal the victory for the Redbirds at 33-16.

Game Notes:
•    With the win, ISU improved to 29-5 in games played at Hancock Stadium since 2013 and 46-11 at home under the leadership of head coach Brock Spack.
•    Illinois State has now won eight of its last nine contests against Western Illinois.
•    Robinson recorded his third 100-plus yard rushing effort of the season, finished with 145 yards on 29 carries with a season-best three touchdowns.
•    Zackary Mathews led the way once again for the Redbirds with seven tackles, including one for a loss, while Romeo McKnight had a five tackles and one of two sacks on the day for ISU.    
•    Kirk's interception was his second in as many games and put him in sole possession of first place on the team with three on the year … the interception was the ninth overall for the Redbirds, tying their total of the 2017 season in just five games.

Up Next:
Illinois State will host Southern Illinois next Saturday for Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. from Hancock Stadium, and fans can listen to the game on WJBC AM 1230 and on the TuneIn app.