By Tyler Wooten
GoSycamores.com
NORMAL, Ill. – One week after squaring off against the four-time national champions North Dakota State, No. 21/23 Indiana State will hit the road to take on 2014 national runners-up, No. 3 Illinois State, this Saturday at Hancock Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET, and fans will be able to watch live online on ESPN3 and on TV on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
QUICK HITS
• Indiana State is ranked in the top-25 for a school-record 19th straight week. The Sycamores rank No. 21 in the STATS FCS Top-25 and No. 23 in the FCS Coaches Poll. ISU is one of seven Valley teams ranked this week, and one of six that have been ranked each week this season.
• The remainder of ISU's schedule are currently ranked in the top-25: No. 3 Illinois State (Oct. 31), No. 18/21 Northern Iowa (Nov. 7), No. 23 Western Illinois (Nov. 14) and No. 24/25 Youngstown State (Nov. 21).
• The Sycamores are 58-139 (.294) all-time in MVFC play (dating back to ISU's first Valley season in 1986).
• Indiana State is 15-84 all-time against top-25 schools, which includes an 11-64 mark against ranked MVFC teams. However, ISU is coming off a season in which it went 5-4 against ranked schools in 2014.
• Indiana State nearly upset Illinois State in Terre Haute last year, falling 20-18 in a tight match that included the first career start of QB Matt Adam, then a freshman, who was on in relief of the injured Mike Perish.
• The Sycamores recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass against North Dakota State on Oct. 24, marking the fifth game out of seven that ISU has recorded multiple turnovers. The ISU defense has only gone one game this year without a turnover (at South Dakota State, Oct. 10).
• NDSU QB Easton Stick is only the second 100-yard rusher the Indiana State defense has allowed all year.
• ISU's two offensive touchdowns against NDSU on Oct. 24 was only the second time the Sycamores have ever scored twice on the Bison -- the first since the 2011 season.
• ISU has had three tacklers in double-digits in each of the last two games vs. Southern Illinois and NDSU.
• ISU's win vs. Southern Illinois on Oct. 17 marks the first time the Sycamores have beat the Salukis in consecutive seasons since 2001 (W, 20-14) and 2002 (W, 21-14).
• ISU set a season-high for total offense (561) and rushing offense (329) against the Salukis on Oct. 17.
• With the 56 points scored at MSU and the 52 scored against Butler on Sept. 5, Indiana State has now scored 50+ in two games in the same season for the first time since 2010.
• ISU's eight touchdowns against the Bears on Oct. 3 are the most by any Sycamore team since 2010.
• Six of 10 schools in the MVFC hold a top-50 scoring offense nationally: Southern Illinois (41.1 PPG, 9th), Illinois State (36.1, 17th), North Dakota State (31.1, 35th), Indiana State (30.1, 40th), South Dakota State (29.4, 43rd) and Youngstown State (29.3, 45th).
• Seven of 10 schools in the MVFC also hold a top-50 rushing offense: Southern Illinois (222.7 YPG, 17th), Illinois State (205.7, 23rd), Indiana State (196.3, 26th), North Dakota State (194.3, 27th), South Dakota (190.4, 30th), Youngstown State (187.3, 32nd), and Northern Iowa (184.4, 37th).
• Matt Adam ranks in the national top-50 in: passing touchdwns (18th, 14), points responsible for (20th, 104), points responsible for per game (22nd, 15.1/game), total offense (35th, 245.1 YPG), passing efficiency (42nd, 129.7), completions per game (47th, 16.43) and passing yards (49th, 1,349).
• Matt Adam has not thrown an interception since Oct. 10, and has thrown a TD pass in all eight career starts.
• Senior WR Gary Owens caught three TD passes against Southern Illinois, tying the single-game school record, as well as the single-season record with eight total TD catches in 2015. Owens is also on pace to break ISU's all-time career record of 15; Owens has 13 TD catches and 1,288 yards in less than two seasons at Indiana State.
• Junior WR Robert Tonyan Jr. broke the career 1,000-yard mark vs. NDSU on Oct. 24, joining Gary Owens as the second active Sycamore to break 1,000 this season.
• This marks the 111th season of football at Indiana State, dating back to 1896. The University did not field teams from 1899 to 1900, 1908 or from 1910 to 1919. ISU owns an all-time record of 379-507-23 and is competing for the 30th consecutive season as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
ABOUT ILLINOIS STATE
QUICK HITS
• Total offense: 408.7 (3rd MVFC, 41st FCS)
• Total defense: 354.7 (5th MVFC, 42nd FCS)
• Rushing offense: 205.7 (2nd MVFC, 23rd FCS)
• Rushing defense: 166.7 (4th MVFC, 60th FCS)
• Passing offense: 203.0 (7th MVFC, 64th FCS)
• Passing defense: 188.0 (4th MVFC, 30th FCS)
KEY PLAYERS
#5 QB Tre Roberson | 6-0, 205 | Sr. | Indianapolis, Ind. | Indiana
• 2015 Season Stats (passing): 55-of-100, 1,157 yards, 11 TDs, 3 INTs, 165.3 YPG
• 2015 Season Stats (rushing): 53 rushes, 296 yards, 4 TDs, 42.3 YPG, Long of 65
• Led the Redbirds to the national title game in 2014 with 4,250 yards of total offense (3,221 passing; 1,029 rushing) and 41 total touchdowns (30 passing, 11 rushing).
#25 RB Marshaun Coprich | 5-9, 205 | Sr. | Victorville, Calif.
• 2015 Season Stats (rushing): 167 rushes, 985 yards, 12 TDs, 5.9 YPC, 140.7 YPG, Long of 83
• 2015 Season Stats (receiving): 11 receptions, 78 yards, Long of 35
• Ranks in the national top-25 in: rushing yards per game (3rd, 140.7 YPG), total rushing yards (3rd, 985), rushing touchdowns (3rd, 12 TDs), scoring (4th, 10.3 PPG), all-purpose yardage (12th, 151.86 YPG) and rushing yards per carry (22nd, 5.9 YPC).
• Leads the MVFC in rushing by 59 yards per game.
• Helped the Redbirds to the 2014 national championship game on 2,274 rushing yards and 27 TDs.
#82 WR Anthony Warrum | 6-2, 190 | Jr. | Fishers, Ind.
• 2015 Season Stats (receiving): 30 receptions, 743 yards, 10 TDs, 24.8/receptions, 106.1 YPG, Long of 75
• Accounts for 37 percent of all Illinois State's receptions and 52.2 percent of all Redbird receiving yards.
• Ranks in the national top-10 in: receiving touchdowns (2nd, 10 TDs), yards per reception (4th, 24.77), receiving yards (5th, 743), scoring (6th, 9.4 PPG) and receiving yards per game (8th, 106.1 YPG).
#4 DE David Perkins | 6-4, 245 | Sr. | South Bend, Ind.
• 2015 Season Stats: 37 total tackles (16 solo), 7.0 TFL (40 yards), 4.5 sacks (34 yards), 3 pass breakups,
4 QB Hurries, 1 forced fumble
• Ranks 22nd nationally in sacks (4.5) and 25th in TFL (7.0).
SCOUTING THE REDBIRDS
No. 3 Illinois State currently stands at 6-1 overall and undefeated in the MVFC at 4-0, with its only loss coming at current FBS No. 10 Iowa in the season opener. The Redbirds are coming off a magical season in 2014 that ended with a thrilling but heartbreaking last-second loss to conference rival North Dakota State in the national championship game.
The Rebirds return two extremely important figures from that team in QB Tre Roberson and RB Marshaun Copprich. The duo combined for a preposterous 6,524 yards and 68 touchdowns in 2014, and both are currently having great seasons again this year. Entering this week, they combine for 2,516 yards of total offense and 27 total touchdowns
INDIANA STATE NOTES
#21/23 INDIANA STATE
For a school-record 19th-straight week, Indiana State is ranked in the national top-25 -- No. 21 in the STATS FCS Top-25 and No. 23 in the FCS Coaches Poll. The Sycamores are one of seven Missouri Valley Football Conference schools ranked in both top-25 polls, coming off a season that saw all five Valley playoff teams win in the first round and saw No. 6/7 North Dakota State and No. 3 Illinois State meet up in the national title game.
HEAD COACH MIKE SANFORD
Indiana State head coach Mike Sanford (Southern California, 1978) is 29-63 (.315) overall in his eighth season as a head coach and is 13-20 (.394) in his third season with Indiana State. He is 6-14 all-time in MVFC games, including a 3-7 mark at home and an 3-7 mark on the road. During his career, he is 21-25 in all home games, 8-38 on the road and 9-8 in games decided by three points or less. With the Trees, Sanford is 1-0 in overtime games and 0-1 in shutouts. Saturday's game is Sanford's 34th as the Indiana State head coach and his 94th as a collegiate head coach.
INDIANA STATE OFFENSIVE NOTES
QUICK HITS
• Total offense: 404.6 (5th MVFC, 47th FCS)
• Rushing offense: 196.3 (3rd MVFC, 26th FCS)
• Passing offense: 208.3 (5th MVFC, 58th FCS)
• Indiana State nearly upset Illinois State in Terre Haute last year, falling 20-18 in a tight match that included the first career start of QB Matt Adam, then a freshman, who was on in relief of the injured Mike Perish.
• ISU's two offensive touchdowns against NDSU on Oct. 24 was only the second time the Sycamores have ever scored twice on the Bison defense -- the first time since the 2011 season.
• Six of 10 schools in the MVFC hold a top-50 scoring offense nationally: Southern Illinois (41.1 PPG, 9th), Illinois State (36.1, 17th), North Dakota State (31.1, 35th), Indiana State (30.1, 40th), South Dakota State (29.4, 43rd) and Youngstown State (29.3, 45th).
• Seven of 10 schools in the MVFC also hold a top-50 rushing offense: Southern Illinois (222.7 YPG, 17th), Illinois State (205.7, 23rd), Indiana State (196.3, 26th), North Dakota State (194.3, 27th), South Dakota (190.4, 30th), Youngstown State (187.3, 32nd), and Northern Iowa (184.4, 37th).
• Matt Adam ranks in the national top-50 in: passing touchdwns (18th, 14), points responsible for (20th, 104), points responsible for per game (22nd, 15.1/game), total offense (35th, 245.1 YPG), passing efficiency (42nd, 129.7), completions per game (47th, 16.43) and passing yards (49th, 1,349).
• Matt Adam has not thrown an interception since Oct. 10 at South Dakota State.
• Matt Adam recorded his first-career 100-yard rushing game against SIU with 123 yards on the ground and one TD.
• Against North Dakota State, Matt Adam recorded the longest run of his career thus far: an 81-yard TD in the third quarter to tie the game -- the longest offensive play for ISU this season.
• QB Matt Adam has thrown at least one touchdown pass in all eight career starts -- seven starts this season, one start vs. Illinois State in 2014.
• Senior WR Gary Owens caught three TD passes against Southern Illinois, tying the single-game school record, as well as the single-season record with eight total TD catches in 2015. Owens is also on pace to break ISU's all-time career record of 15; Owens has 13 TD catches and 1,288 yards in less than two seasons at Indiana State.
• Gary Owens' 128-yard, 3 TD performance against the Salukis is his fifth-career 100-yard game -- his second this season.
• Gary Owens has 10 total TDs this season: eight receiving, one rushing and one passing. He ranks 39th nationally in scoring, seventh nationally in receiving touchdowns.
• Gary Owens did not have a reception against NDSU on Oct. 24 -- the first time that has happened since Nov. 22, 2014 (at Western Illinois).
• Junior WR Robert Tonyan Jr. broke the career 1,000-yard mark vs. NDSU on Oct. 24, joining Gary Owens as the second active Sycamore to break 1,000 this season.
• ISU set a season-high for total offense (561) and rushing offense (329) against the Salukis on Oct. 17.
• The Sycamores had nine plays of at least 20 yards against the Salukis, which ties a season-high recorded at Missouri State on Oct. 3. Of those plays, six were for 30 yards or more and four were for 40 yards or more.
• RB LeMonte Booker recorded his third-career 100-yard rushing game against the Salukis with 113 yards on 25 carries -- his second this season (137, vs. Butler).
• Matt Adam and LeMonte Booker's 100-yard games against SIU makes them the first ISU duo to rush for 100 yards in the same game since 2010 (Shakir Bell and Darrius Gates, vs. Quincy).
• WR Robert Tonyan Jr. threw a 42-yard pass to Gary Owens against the Salukis. Tonyan is a former Sycamore QB before transitioning to WR in 2014.
• Robert Tonyan Jr. owns Matt Adam's longest pass of the year, a 57-yard reception against Southeast Missouri.
ADAM TAKING CHARGE
Sophomore QB Matt Adam had his lowest career passing outing against a stiff NDSU pass defense on Oct. 24, only throwing for 86 yards against the Bison. However, Adam did continue his streak of games played with a touchdown pass (8 games), and was also ISU's leading rusher on the day thanks to the most exciting play of the game for either team. On ISU's second play of the second half, Adam broke free for an 81-yard rushing touchdown off a read-option to tie the game – a season-long for the Sycamore offense. Adam is now Indiana State's leading rusher this season at 367 yards and three touchdowns, but has lost nearly 200 yards from his season gain total of 559. Adam ranks 35th nationally and third in the conference in total offense at 245.1 yards per game (192.7 passing, 52.4 rushing).
SECOND-HALF HERO
Sophomore starting quarterback Matt Adam has had a strong start to his first season as the main man under center for the Sycamores, and much of that has to do with his ability to regain composure and play in the second half. On the year, Adam is 115-of-204 for 1,349 yards, 14 TDs and 5 INTs. Of that, Adam is 59-of-105 for 768 yards, 9 TDs and 3 INTs in the second half.
TWO ACTIVE 1,000-YARD RECEIVERS
Junior WR Robert Tonyan Jr. was ISU's leading receiver against the Bison on Oct. 24 with four catches for 40 yards, pushing him over the career 1,000-yard mark. Tonyan is a former quarterback who made the transition to WR just last year. He is also one of two active 1,000-yard receivers on ISU's roster, as senior Gary Owens also passed the plateau this year.
OWENS' LEGACY
It's been an incredible season for senior WR Gary Owens thus far at the halfway point of the season. The second-year transfer from Trinity Valley CC has eight touchdown receptions this season, which ties the single-season school record set all the way back in 1968 by Steve Schmid. Owens got to that point by hauling in three TDs against the Salukis on Oct. 17, which tied ISU's single-game record – making him the fifth Sycamore to ever do so in one game. In less than two seasons in Terre Haute, Owens has 1,288 yards and 13 TDs – the latter of which is only two shy of ISU's all-time career receiving TD record. Nationally, Owens' eight TDs ranks tied for seventh in the FCS, and his 10 total touchdowns (eight receiving, one rushing, one passing) ranks him 39th in scoring.
BACK IN THE FOLD
After missing the two-plus games with a knee injury, Preseason All-MVFC Honorable Mention running back LeMonte Booker returned as Indiana State's starter at No. 8/9 South Dakota State on Oct. 10. Booker was ISU's leading rusher on the day with 67 yards on 15 carries against a stiff SDSU defense that only yielded 284 total yards of offense to the Sycamores. Booker followed that with his third-career 100-yard game against the Salukis, putting up 113 of ISU's season-high 329 rushing yards against SIU. Booker put up an amazing 137-yard, three touchdown day on the ground in the season opener against Butler (in which he also had a 24-yard TD reception). Booker had the makings of a strong game early on at Purdue on Sept. 12, but left in the second quarter after spraining his MCL.
DEEP BACKFIELD
The Sycamores have a good problem in the backfield this year, as they have too many solid ball rushers on the two-deep this season. ISU ranks third in the MVFC and 26th nationally in rushing offense at 196.3 yards per game. Starting running back LeMonte Booker started the year off with a superp 137-yard, three touchdown performance against Butler, but missed the next two games due to an injury at Purdue on Sept. 12. On the year, though, Booker is ISU's second-leading rusher at 361 yards.
QB Matt Adam is currently ISU's leading rusher by a small margin over Booker at 367 yards, but Adam has lost nearly 200 yards this season through sacks. Adam has proved to be the most explosive of the bunch with three runs 40 yards or longer -- including an 81-yard TD run against NDSU on Oct. 24 that is currently the longest offensive play for the Sycamores.
Also chipping in are: Roland Genesy (354 yards), Marlon Fleming (125), Taeler Porter (62) and Kelvin Cook (37) for a combined 578 rushing yards as Booker and Adam's supporting cast.
GETTING TRICKY
Indiana State has maintained its recent reputation as a master of unique trick plays early on this season, following a year in which the Sycamores unveiled the “Circle of Death” kick return that was featured on SportsCenter's Top-10. Against Southeast Missouri on Sept. 19, ISU ran an double-option option reverse end-around to WR Gary Owens, who ran it in nine yards for his first career rushing touchdown. Then at Missouri State on Oct. 3, Owens got in on the fun again with a 22-yard touchdown pass to TE Jamar Brown on a lateral screen from Matt Adam. ISU also has another special teams TD to its credit thanks to a punt return fakeout that allowed sophomore WR Tyler Denton to run 42 yards to the endzone at Missouri State. ISU dug back into its bag of tricks again vs. Southern Illinois with a 42-yard WR pass from Robert Tonyan Jr. to Gary Owens.
INDIANA STATE DEFENSIVE/SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
QUICK HITS
• Total defense: 415.2 (8th MVFC, 80th FCS)
• Rushing defense: 196.8 (9th MVFC, 90th FCS)
• Passing defense: 218.4 (7th MVFC, 66th FCS)
• The Sycamores recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass against North Dakota State on Oct. 24, marking the fifth game out of seven that ISU has recorded multiple turnovers. The ISU defense has only gone one game this year without a turnover (at South Dakota State, Oct. 10).
• NDSU QB Easton Stick is only the second 100-yard rusher the Indiana State defense has allowed all year.
• ISU has had three tacklers in double-digits in each of the last two games vs. Southern Illinois and NDSU.
• Although ISU gave up 554 yards of total offense, the Sycamores held SIU's ninth-ranked rushing offense to just 127 yards on the ground -- stifling two of the top rushers in the conference in Daquan Isom (45 yards) and Mark Iannotti (44 yards).
• ISU has only given up 300 yards passing to only one team: Southern Illinois (427).
• The ISU defense has also only allowed two 100-yard receivers this season: SIU's Darrell James (114) and SEMO's Paul McRoberts (100).
• Only two opposing players have scored multiple touchdowns against the Sycamores: Missouri State RB Calan Crowder (two rushing) and NDSU QB Easton Stick (two rushing).
• ISU freshman Adrian Butler blocked two punts against Southern Illinois on Oct. 17.
• Sophomroe WR Tyler Denton is one of 36 players in the FCS to return a punt for a touchdown in 2015. Denton took one back 42 yards on a trick play at Missouri State on Oct. 3, ISU's first punt return touchdown since 1996.
• Senior DB Travis Starks owns the longest INT return in the FCS this season at 100 yards. Starks did so against Southeast Missouri on Sept. 19 to help spark a Sycamore comeback.
• Safety Tsali Lough is ISU's leading tackler with 51 stops (29 solo). Lough is one of four Sycamores with a forced fumble this season, his coming at Purdue on Sept. 12. Lough recorded an ISU season-high 16 total tackles against Southern Illinois on Oct. 17.
• After missing two games due to a concussion, senior LB Kendall Walker led ISU in tackles in each of his next two games at Missouri State (13 total, six solo, 10 in the first quarter) and at South Dakota State (15 total, 10 solo) -- both of which were individual season highs for ISU in 2015. Despite missing two games, Walker is third on ISU's roster with 49 total tackles (23 solo).
• Since filling in for the injured Mark Sewall, Marcus Gray has become ISU's third-best tackler (49 total, 29 solo) and has had his hand in four Sycamore turnovers since Sewall's injury at Purdue.
• LB Jameer Thurman, safety Marcus Gray and DB Travis Starks each have two interceptions on the season and have returned those INTs for a combined 147 yards.
• Nickel defensive back Lonnell Brown Jr. leads ISU in tackles for loss with 5.5 TFL. Brown had 3.0 alone vs. Butler in the season opener. Marcus Gray also has 5.0 TFL right behind Brown.
• Lonnell Brown Jr. suffered a neck injury at South Dakota State on Oct. 10, and needed to be carted off the field. Fortunately, Brown had movement in all his extremities and no damage to his neck or spinal cord.
• Jameer Thurman recorded his 200th career tackle at South Dakota State on Oct. 10. He currently has 223 (111 solo), and is one of four active Sycamores with 200 or more career tackles: Kendall Walker (240), Connor Underwood (238) and Mark Sewall (235).
• Connor Underwood, who is currently nursing a hamstring injury, is ISU's all-time sack leader with 30.5 career sacks. Earlier this year he also broke the all-time Indiana State record for TFL, currently at 57.0 career TFL. In four games played this season, Underwood has 20 total tackles (14 solo), 4.5 TFL for 14 yards and 2.0 sacks for eight yards.
• LB Antonio Broadus is ISU's current leader in sacks with 2.5 on the yar for a loss of 10 yards.
BALL HAWKS
The Sycamore defense forced and recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass against the four-time defending national champions North Dakota State at home on Oct. 24, marking the fifth game out of seven this season that ISU has forced multiple turnovers in. Nationally, ISU ranks tied for 13th (2nd MVFC) in turnover margin at +6 – helped greatly by the most turnovers in the Valley this season (13) and the 12th-fewest turnovers on offense nationally (7). Of those 13 turnovers, the Sycamores have been able to turn a 35-point profit against the 14 points opponents have made off of ISU's seven offensive miscues.
SUPER SAFTIES
ISU may be missing All-MVFC safety Mark Sewall, but the Sycamores have not been lacking at the safety position with Tsali Lough and Marcus Gray. Lough has started every game this season and currently leads ISU in tackles with 51 stops (29 solo), as well as a big forced fumble at Purdue on Sept. 12. Gray, meanwhile, has filled in for Sewall and done splendidly, recording 49 total tackles (29 solo), 5.0 TFL for a loss of 15 yards, two interceptions returned for 24 yards and two fumble recoveries.
SUPER UNDERCLASSMEN
Sophomore linebacker Antonio Broadus has seen more playing time in the face of several key injuries to the Sycamore defense, and he has not wasted his opportunity to produce. Broadus leads all Sycamores with 2.5 sacks for a loss of 10 yards. Broadus also ranks sixth on ISU's roster right now with 31 total tackles, 16 of which are solo.
Likewise, redshirt freshman linebacker Katrell Moss received a start last Saturday vs. North Dakota State and did not disappoint, recording 11 total tackles (seven solo) while forcing and recovering a fumble on the same play on a big 4th-and-1 stop of the Bison.
STIFF RUN DEFENSE
The Salukis entered Terre Haute on Oct. 17 ranked ninth nationally in rushing offense at 251.4 rushing yards per game. The Sycamore defense was not phased, though, as they stifled the explosive Salukis to just 127 yards on the ground – a season-low for ISU opponents and an SIU season-low by 48 yards. Indiana State shut down two of the top rushers in the MVFC in Daquan Isom (45 yards) and Mark Iannotti (44 yards).
TACKLING MACHINE
Senior linebacker Kendall Walker has had an impressive return from injury. Walker suffered a concussion against Butler on Sept. 5 and missed ISU's games at Purdue and against Southeast Missouri. Since, Walker has lit up opposing offenses for 47 total tackles (22 solo) – posting ISU season highs in both games at Missouri State (13 total, six solo) and at South Dakota State (15 total, 10 solo). Walker was ISU's leading tackler in 2014 with 123 total tackles (50 solo).
NEXT MAN UP
Due to some key injuries to starters Connor Underwood, Conrrad Nicholls, Alec Lyons, Jordan Jackson and Alex Stowers, the Sycamore defense has had to dig deep into its reserves -- and hasn't come up empty-handed. ISU had four first-time starters on defense at Missouri State -- DL Kenyota Rollins, LBs Antonio Broadus and Katrell Moss, and safety Haki Woods -- with all performing admirably and with Rollins coming up with an INT on a tipped pass. Not to mention the solid play of Marcus Gray and Tyshon Waller, who were in their second and third career starts at Missouri State, respectively.
TO THE HOUSE
Senior defensive back Travis Starks provided the most exciting and important play of the day for the Sycamores in their exciting 29-28 win over Southeast Missouri. After being held scoreless in the first half since Nov. 16, 2013, Starks turned the tide of the game with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, which sparked a Sycamore revival in the third quarter that saw 21 ISU points to zero from the Redhawks. Southeast was putting together another solid drive and about to enter the redzone when Starks read SEMO QB Tay Bender perfectly and picked off his out-route two yards deep into the endzone. Starks then burst forward and found a seam on the right sideline, leaving Southeast's offensive pursuers in the dust at the 30-yard line before strolling the final 70 yards into the endzone. The pick-six is the third of Starks' career at ISU. Starks also tallied three total tackles that game and had the job of trying to shut down pro-talent caliber wide receiver Paul McRoberts.
LEAVING A LEGACY
Senior Connor Underwood cemented himself yet again as one of the greatest Sycamore defenders in Indiana State history at Purdue on Sept. 12, this time by breaking yet another school record. Entering at 54.0 career tackles for loss, Underwood was .5 TFL shy of Kyle Mitchell's all-time record of 54.5. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Underwood bust into the backfield from the weak side to track down Purdue RB D.J. Knox for a two-yard loss and the all-time record. Underwood ended with five total tackles.
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