NORMAL, Ill. --The Sycamores (5-3, 3-2 MVFC) battled back but could not complete the comeback as they fell 17-14 on the road to the Redbirds of Illinois State (5-3, 3-2 MVFC) Saturday.

The Sycamores trailed 17-6 heading into the fourth quarter and got the ball at their own 25-yard line with just under 11 minutes left in the game. Aided by a personal foul penalty by Illinois State, the Sycamores got to within 17-14 with 6:59 left in regulation on a one-yard touchdown run by Ben Obaseki and a two-point conversion from Ronnie Fouch to Leonard Riston.

On the ensuing kickoff, Neblett fumbled for Illinois State with Demory Lawshe on the force and Alex Sewall recovering to set up the Sycamores with the football at the Redbird 14-yard line. Tanner Fritschle set up for a 41-yard field goal with just 5:20 remaining after the Redbird turnover, but missed short as the score remained 17-14 in favor of ILS.

The Sycamore defense got a stop and short punt gave the Sycamores great field position at their own 40 yard line with 3:45 remaining in  regulation. Penalties ultimately cost the Sycamores as they moved all the way back to 4th and 29. Fouch couldn't find an open Hilton on 4th down, giving the Redbirds the ball back with just 1:30 remaining.

Indiana State drove down inside the Illinois State 30-yard line on their first drive of the game, but were stymied on a fourth-and-nine play as they turned the ball over on downs to the Redbirds. Each team traded three-and-outs before Illinois State drew first blood on a 40-yard field by Nick Aussieker with 1:34 left in the opening stanza for the 3-0 advantage.

The two squads traded punts once more until the Sycamores broke through in a big way with a 77-yard touchdown pass from Ronnie Fouch to Alex Jones with 8:57 left in the second quarter as ISU took its first lead of the game at 6-3. The extra point attempt by Austen Wozniak was blocked and returned past mid-field by the Redbirds before the return was eventually fumbled and downed by the Sycamores.

Illinois State would own the lead heading into halftime after a one-yard touchdown run by Ashton Leggett with 1:13 left in the second quarter on a 15-yard drive which was set up by a Fouch fumble. Leggett's score gave the 'Birds a 10-6 lead.

Indiana State got a 26-yard run by Shakir Bell on the first play of ISU's final drive but the drive stalled following a trio of incomplete passes. Lucas Hileman averaged 53 yards per punt in the opening half, pinning Illinois State inside their own 20-yard line twice before the half. Bell had 63 rushing yards in the first half, while Alex Jones made two pass receptions for 86 yards.

The Redbirds were able to extend their halftime advantage out to 17-6 with 10:37 left in the third quarter on a 10-yard pass from Matt Brown to James O'Shaugnessy on the opening drive of the second half. The Redbirds drove the ball 80 yards on eight plays for the first score after halftime.

Fouch finsished the game 10-25 for 175 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Alex Jones led the receiving core for the Sycamores with three receptions for 92 yards with a touchdown. On the ground, Shakir Bell finished the day with 123 yards off 27 attempts.

Both teams are now tied for 3rd place in the MVFC standings.

Indiana State returns to action on Saturday, November 5, following an open week, as they will host nationally-ranked North Dakota State at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2:05 p.m. (ET) and will be televised on ESPN3.com.