CHARLESTON, Ill. – A 12-yard touchdown run by Mason Blakemore with just over four minutes left in the game put No. 25 Illinois State up 13-7 over Eastern Illinois, however the Panthers (2-1) scored with just 30 seconds remaining to defeat the Redbirds (2-1) by a score of 14-13 in the 111th meeting of the Mid-America Classic on Saturday afternoon at O'Brien Field.
How It Happened:
•   A sloppy first quarter by both teams resulted in a 0-0 tie after 15 minutes of action, but the Panthers would eventually break the stalemate on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Pierce Holley to Justin Thomas with 5:39 left in the second quarter to make the score 7-0 in favor of EIU.
•   The Redbirds tied the game at 7-7, after Wenkers Wright bowled his way in from three yards out on fourth and goal to cap off an 11-play, 77-yard drive.
•   Illinois State took the lead with 4:04 left to play on a 12-yard touchdown run by Blakemore, however the extra point attempt bounced off the right upright and the lead was just six for the Redbirds.
•   After an interception by CJ Hodgdon gave the Redbirds the ball back, a three-and-out by the offense gave the Panthers the ball back with 1:32 to play and a costly targeting penalty helped the Panthers drive 93 yards in eight plays for the game-winning touchdown on a 25-yard pass from Holley to Justin Thomas as the extra point was good to bring the score to 14-13.
Game Notes: Â Â
•   ISU's loss is its first in the series since 2016, snapping a five-game winning streak for the Redbirds over the Panthers.
•   The Redbird defense was disruptive all game, forcing three turnovers, eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss in the defeat to the Panthers.
•   Blakemore scored for the third game in a row to start his Redbird career, and now leads the team with five on the season.
•   Daniel Sobkowicz led all ISU receivers with seven catches for 89 yards, while tight end Cam Grandy added five catches for 72 yards for ISU.
•   Amir Abdullah had another stellar defensive effort for the Redbirds, recording seven tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss while also forcing a fumble.
•   Tye Niekamp led the way for the Redbird defense with a career-high 11 tackles while also added two pass breakups.
•   Jalan Gaines was also solid, recording a career-best 10 tackles with a sack, 2.0 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Next Up:
Illinois State returns home next Saturday to host the Lindenwood Lions at Hancock Stadium as part of Family Weekend at ISU, with kickoff scheduled for Noon CT.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Â Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
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