NORMAL, Ill. – Saturday's game between Illinois State and Missouri State got away from the Redbirds (4-3, 1-2 MVFC), as the Bears jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back as four turnovers by ISU helped MSU pick up a 41-7 victory at Hancock Stadium.
How It Happened:
• Missouri State struck first on its first series of the game on a 62-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Clark to D'Vonte Key, as the Bears took a 7-0 lead with 10:23 left in the first quarter.
• The Bears struck again on the ensuing Redbird drive, as Rittenhouse was sacked and fumbled the football which was recovered by Michael Teason who ran it in 42 yards for the scoop and score to extend the MSU lead to 14-0 with 7:59 left in the opening quarter of play.
• MSU tacked on three more points near the end of the first quarter, as Yousef Obeid connected on a 26-yard field goal to widen the lead to 17-0.
• A 12-yard touchdown pass from Clark to Lance Mason with 4:19 left before halftime made the score 24-0 in favor of MSU.
• The Bears got out to a quick start in the third quarter, driving 75 yards in just seven plays to score on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Clark to James BlackStrain which made the score 31-0 with 12:27 on the clock.
• The Redbirds got on the scoreboard on the ensuing drive, when Wenkers Wright dove into the end zone from nine yards out to cut the Missouri State lead to 31-7 with 9:45 remaining in the third quarter.
• Obeid got three of those points back, as he connected on his second field goal of the day this one from 24 yards out to make the score 34-7 with 2:32 left in the third.
• Missouri State extended the lead to 41-7 with 6:47 left to play in the game on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jacardia Wright.
Game Notes:
• Xavier Loyd recorded an Illinois State best 99 yards on six receptions in the contest for the Redbirds.
• Daniel Sobkowicz recorded a season-best eight receptions for 81 yards against the Bears.
• Jake Rubley finished the day with a season-best 167 yards on 14-of-28 passing, with a long throw of 27 yards to fellow Kansas State transfer Loyd.
• Wright's rushing touchdown was his fourth of the season, tying for the team lead with Tommy Rittenhouse.
• Tye Niekamp and Lavoise-Deontae McCoy tied for the team lead with 10 tackles each … McCoy finished the day with a sack and two tackles for loss, while Niekamp tied a career-high with 2.5 tackles for loss.
Next Up:
Illinois State returns to the road for a contest against Murray State (1-5, 0-3 MVFC), with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. in Murray, Ky.
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