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Sandy King)
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State gained momentum on two key back-to-back plays in the second quarter as the Redbirds won the 107th Mid-America Classic on Saturday evening 48-10. It marked the first time in four years that the home team has won the rivalry game.
EIU fell to 0-2 and will host Indiana State in its home opener next Saturday night at 6 pm at O'Brien Field. Illinois State, ranked 19th this week in the FCS, improved to 2-0.
Leading 14-0, Illinois State defense was able to make a stop on a 4th and one play at the Redbirds three yard line to end the Panthers chances of cutting the lead in half with 8:38 to play in the half.
Harry Woodbery had connected with
Alexander Hollins for a 45-yard strike to put the Panthers in the red zone.
On the next play of offense for ISU, quarterback Brady Davis connected with Spencer Schnell for a 97-yard touchdown pass to put the Redbirds up 21-0. Davis and Schnell would connect one more time in the second quarter on a 33-yard pass and catch to put ISU up 28-0 at the half. Davis passed for 243 yards in the first half finishing the game with 317 yards. Schnell had eight catches for 174 yards.
ISU scored its first touchdown on a 42-yard pass from Davis to Andrew Edgar with 2:31 to play in the first quarter. Davis would score the second Redbirds touchdown with 11:35 to play in the second quarter.
Joe Caputo made nine of his team high 13 tackles in the first half for EIU.
Illinois State added to its lead in the early minutes of the second half as Sam Fenlason knocked home a 37-yard field goal to make it 31-0 with 10:50 to play in the third quarter. The score was set up by a Ty DeForest interception. Fenlason connected on a 38-yard field goal later in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers got on the board with 8:26 to play in the third quarter on a
Matt Severino 39-yard field goal. The Redbirds answered right back with the fourth touchdown pass of the day by Davis as he hit Robert Gillum for a three-yard strike. ISU finished the game with 582 yards of total offense. James Robinson tacked on a short touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make it 45-10. Robinson finished with 153 yards on the ground.
Jamal Scott scored EIU's first touchdown of the game late in the third quarter with a 6-yard scamper with 1:18 to play in the quarter. Scott rushed for 96 yards for EIU.
