NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State battled in the first half with visiting South Dakota State, as the Redbirds trailed by just three points to the No. 2 ranked team in the country at the break. However, two costly second-half turnovers and a long touchdown run propelled the Jackrabbits (5-1, 2-0 MVFC) to a road win over the Redbirds (4-2, 0-2 MVFC) on Saturday night on Jay and Lori Bergman Field at Hancock Stadium.

How It Happened:
•    South Dakota State scored on its first possession of the game, after getting the ball on a turnover on downs. Lofton O'Groske caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Holst to give the Jackrabbits a 7-0 lead just under four minutes into the contest.
•    A sack and fumble recovery by Dexter Niekamp wiped out a Redbird interception and set up ISU's first score of the game, as Chase Kwiatkowski capped off a 12-play scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:31 left in the second quarter.
•    The Jacks took a 10-7 lead at halftime, after Tristan Alvano drilled a 31-yard field goal as time expired.
•    With 1:33 left in the third quarter, SDSU widened its lead to 17-7 on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Holst to Greyton Gannon.
•    SDSU further extended its lead to 24-7, following an interception and 31-yard return for touchdown by Myles Green with 11:04 left in the contest.
•    A 66-yard run by James Basinger made the score 31-7 in favor of the Jackrabbits with 8:44 left in the game.
•    Kwiatkowski would score his second touchdown run of the game from one yard out to cut into the South Dakota State lead at 31-14 with 2:47 left in the game.

Game Notes:    
•    With the defeat, Illinois State is 0-2 to start conference play for the first time since 2021.
•    The sack, forced fumble and recovery were all the first of the season for Dexter Niekamp. 
•    Running back Victor Dawson led the way for the Redbird rushing attack with 67 yards on 22 carries.
•    Tye Niekamp and Ben Harman tied for the team lead on defense with eight tackles each for the Redbird defense.

Next Up:
Illinois State will have a bye week before travelling downstate to Carbondale to take on Southern Illinois on October 17. Kickoff time is TBA and the game will be broadcast live nationally on the ESPN family of networks.

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