By Tyler Wooten
GoSycamores.com

NORMAL, Ill. – The Sycamores exploded for 21 points in the second quarter and had momentum on their side heading into the second half, but the reigning national runners-up in No. 3 Illinois State mounted a heartbreaking comeback to top No. 21/23 Indiana State, 27-24, on Saturday afternoon.

Despite wet and windy conditions at a chilly Hancock Stadium, Indiana State (4-4, 2-3 MVFC) gave the MVFC-leading Redbirds (7-1, 5-0 MVFC) a thorough contest right up until the end. However, the Sycamores only had four first downs in the second half (all in the third quarter) as Illinois State drained what momentum the Sycamores had from their stellar first half.

“We won the first half,” said Indiana State head coach Mike Sanford. “We played well in the first half. We knew this was going to be about physical and mental toughness, but we didn't execute in the second half. They executed and we didn't execute on all sides of the ball.”

The game didn't start off particularly well, though. With Indiana State backed up on their own one-yard line with 3:44 to play in the first, QB Matt Adam (19-of-30, 231 yards, 3 TDs) got brought down in the endzone for a safety. Illinois State followed that up with a 10-yard touchdown run by QB Tre Roberson at the 14:18 mark in the second quarter.

But then, the second quarter became the Robert Tonyan Jr. show.

The junior wide receiver (and former quarterback) was unstoppable in the second quarter, hauling in three touchdown passes to give the Sycamore sideline some much-needed energy. Tonyan also had two highlight-reel receptions on Saturday, including a one-handed touchdown grab while being held by his defender and while also falling out of the back corner of the endzone.

“I think Rob Tonyan made some great plays today, he was outstanding,” Sanford said.

“He's awesome,” said ISU QB Matt Adam. “He's my best friend, so we know where each other are (on the field). He's a special player, a huge target and he's able to make those huge plays, and he did that today.”

The Indiana State offense was truly special in that first half, racking up 264 of its 353 total yards – 206 of which came through the air. Matt Adam had more yards (206) and passing touchdowns (3) in the first half today than he did all game in last year's near upset against Illinois State (201 yards, 2 TDs).

“There was definitely a sense of confidence; the offense was really rolling in that second quarter,” Adam said. “It wasn't overconfidence or anything, but there was a sense of us helping the defense instead of the defense helping us.”

The Sycamores took their largest lead of the day on a season-long 38-yard field goal by Eric Heidorn with 3:35 left to play in the third quarter at 24-9, but then the Redbird assault began.

After defending him well for most of the game, Marshaun Coprich – the third-best rusher in the FCS this season – burst out for a 44-yard touchdown run with 2:33 to play in the third quarter. Coprich ended the day at a Sycamore-opponent season high 165 yards on 28 carries.

“Our defense played good all day, but we gave up an explosive run in the second half,” Sanford said. “That was something we said we couldn't do if we wanted to win this game.”

The Redbirds piled on with a 23-yard field goal by Sean Slattery and a five-yard touchdown run by Roberson, but the Sycamores could never respond or mount a drive.

“We just didn't capitalize when we had a chance to capitalize in the second half on offense,” Sanford said. “We just didn't get it done.”

The loss is a tough one for the Sycamores, who likely need to win out now for a chance at the FCS Playoffs. This one is also tough coming on the heels of tough losses to North Dakota State at home on Oct. 24 (28-14) and at South Dakota State on Oct. 10 (24-7).

The road gets no easier for the Sycamores, who will face three ranked opponents in each of the last three weeks against schools who are each 4-4 in conference play like Indiana State: at Northern Iowa on Nov. 7, vs. Western Illinois on Nov. 14 and vs. Youngstown State on Nov. 21 for Senior Day.

“We have to move forward. We have to learn from this and grow from this,” Sanford said.

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