Bonnie Ryan
GoSycamores.com
NORMAL, Ill. - Quarterback Ryan Roberts had two touchdowns and Indiana State totaled a season-high 354 yards of offense, but it was not enough to push the Sycamores past Illinois State in a 38-21 loss at Hancock Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Roberts, in his third start of the season, had a touchdown pass and a pair of rushing scores himself on the day. The sophomore is the first Sycamore with two scores in one game since Darrius Gates had two touchdowns against Missouri State on Nov. 22, 2008. Roberts completed 10 of his 16 pass attempts for a season-best 136 yards, including a 39-yard toss to Bryant Kent.
Antoine Brown had a solid day for the Sycamore ground game, rushing 102 yards on 17 carries. Kent led the ISU receiving corps with four grabs for 97 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, Aaron Archie topped the charts for Indiana State with a game-high 10 tackles, including six solo and one tackle for loss. Rod Hardy also forced a fumble, had two sacks for 13 yards.
Illinois State notched 365 yards of total offense, with quarterback Matt Brown going 19-for-26 for 243 yards and two scores. Eyad Salem was the Redbirds' leading receiver with nine catches for 133 yards and a touchdown, while Geno Blow had a pair of rushing touchdowns.
After a quiet first quarter, Illinois State jumped on the board in the second stanza. Tyrone Walker hauled in a pass from Matt Brown in a three-play, 73-yard scoring drive in less than one minute to go up 7-0. Three minutes later, ILSU's Geno Blow ran in a one-yard touchdown, going ahead 14-0.
The Redbirds added a second score at 10:12 in the second quarter, as they blocked a punt by Gabe Mullane and started a 13-yard drive. Geno Blow then rushed for a one-yard touchdown to make it 14-0. At 5:49, Illinois State's tacked on a field goal by Kutch to increase its lead to 17-0.
Indiana State cut the deficit to 17-7 with 2:31 remaining in the first half, with Roberts contributing a 17-yard rushing touchdown. The Redbirds refused to complete the half quietly, however, putting up another score at 1:48 - a 28-yard reception by Eyad Salem to extend it to 24-7.
Illinois State pushed forward to 38-14 with two touchdowns in the third quarter. The first came on another one-yard run by Blow at 8:36, which the Sycamores' Roberts answered with a six-yard rush at 1:22 to make it 31-14. Gordon Cliffton added the Redbirds' second score at 2:39, going up 38-14 with a two-yard run of his own.
In a quiet fourth quarter, the Sycamores scored a final touchdown at 1:39 to close the gap at 38-21. Roberts fired a 39-yard end zone strike to Bryant Kent to cap the Indiana State effort.
Indiana State returns to action Saturday, Oct. 24 with Western Illinois. The Homecoming game at Memorial Stadium is slated for a 3:05 p.m. kickoff.
