Ace Hunt
GoSycamores.com
NORMAL, Ill. -- Illinois State used a fast start to jump out to a lead they would not relinquish as the Sycamores fell victim to a 55-14 decision at the hands of the Redbirds on a beautiful fall afternoon in front of 8,262 fans inside newly-renovated Hancock Stadium.
Indiana State falls to 1-6, 0-3 MVFC while Illinois State improved to 3-4, 2-2 MVFC.
The Sycamores earned their first score in the game with 1:15 remaining in the third quarter on a five-yard touchdown rush by Robert Tonyan, Jr., who made his first career start. The Tonyan TD run capped a 10-play, 68-yard drive that took 3:14 off the clock and closed the gap to 45-7.
LeMonte Booker capped the scoring in the contest with a four-yard touchdown run with 7:58 remaining which came following a seven-play, 75-yard drive that took 2:24 off the clock.
Booker led the Sycamores in rushing with 54 yards on nine attempts and one touchdown. Tonyan, Jr., was 8-of-22 passing for 69 yards while Tanner Riley, Travis Reyes and Shakir Bell each had two pass receptions. Riley's 27 receiving yards led the way.
Defensively, Russell Jones and Connor Underwood paced the Sycamores with eight total tackles while Jones had one quarterback sack and two tackles for loss. Mark Sewall added five tackles, including one for a loss while Jameer Thurman had five tackles, one quarterback sack and two tackles for a loss.
Indiana State returns to action on Saturday, October 26 when the Sycamores host No. 1 nationally-ranked North Dakota State at 3:05 p.m. (ET). The game will be televised world wide on ESPN 3 and it will be a Black Out inside Memorial Stadium as well as Ford Military Day.
