By Tyler Wooten
GoSycamores.com

MACOMB, Ill. – Indiana State looks to bounce back from a Homecoming loss this weekend when it travels to No. 13 Western Illinois for a key MVFC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET in Macomb.

QUICK HITS

• Saturday's game is the Missouri Valley Football Conference's TV Game of the Week, and will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Mick Shaffer (play-by-play), Danan Hughes (color) and Sara Dayley (sideline) will be on the call.

• Sycamore fans can also listen locally on WDKE 95.9 FM “The Duke” to Brian Fritz (PBP) and Tom James (color).

• This marks the 112th 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 383-512-23 (.417) and is competing for the 31st consecutive season as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

• All-time, the Sycamores are 60-143 in MVFC play. Indiana State was 3-5 in conference play in 2015.

• Western Illinois ranks No. 13 in the nation after a 52-14 loss at No. 15 South Dakota State last week. The Leathernecks started the season 3-0, which included an FBS win at Northern Illinois, topping the Huskies 28-23 on Sept. 24.

• WIU owns the Valley's top running back (Steve McShane, 124.5 YPG) and third-best receiver (Lance Lenoir, 103.2 YPG).

• The Leathernecks own a 24-15 advantage in the all-time series, which stretches back to 1967 (L, 26-7, at home). The Sycamores are just 4-15 in Macomb, but hold an 11-9 advantage over WIU in Terre Haute.

• Western Illinois is currently on a three-game winning streak against the Sycamores, with ISU's last win coming in Macomb in 2012 (23-7). Western edged out ISU 37-30 in overtime in Terre Haute in 2015, erasing a 17-point deficit to force OT.

• The Sycamores are coming off a brief stint in the national top-25 following an upset over No. 9 Illinois State at home on Sept. 24. Indiana State received a No. 24 ranking in both the STATS FCS and HERO Sports national polls, but fell 45-24 to Missouri State on Homecoming last Saturday (Oct. 1). While not ranked this week, the Sycamores are still receiving votes in both polls (ISU is not receiving any votes in the FCS Coaches Poll).

• No. 24 Indiana State and Missouri State slugged it out to a 24-24 tie by halftime, but the Bears held the Sycamores to just 116 yards and no points in the second half en route to a 45-24 victory -- MSU's first Valley win since Oct. 18, 2014 and first over a ranked team since Oct. 19, 2013.

• The previous week, the Sycamores edged out the 9th-ranked Redbirds, 34-31, Indiana State's first Top-25 and Top-10 win in two seasons and its first against Illinois State since 2010.

• Six different MVFC schools are ranked entering this weekend: No. 1 North Dakota State (4-0), No. 11 Northern Iowa (2-2), No. 12 South Dakota State (2-2), No. 13 Western Illinois (3-1), No. 15 Youngstown State (3-1) and No. 23 Illinois State (2-3).

• QB Isaac Harker has has passed for 300 yards in three of five games this season after a 2015 season that saw no ISU passer eclipe the 300-yard mark. Harker did not throw an interception in his first 146 career pass attempts (142 coming this season). In the last two weeks he has thrown all three of his INTs, all coming against MVFC schools.

• LB Jameer Thurman had a monster day vs. Missouri State last week with 14 tackles (seven solo), 4.0 TFL for a loss of 12 yards, and a forced fumble on a sack of MSU QB Brodie Lambert that briefly turned the tide for the Sycamores in the second quarter.

• Thurman enters Saturday's contest just six tackles shy of the 300 mark in his career. Once he does eclipse the milestone, Thurman will become the 20th member of ISU's 300-tackle club.

• WR Robert Tonyan Jr. is currently tied with Joe Downing (1982-85) for the all-time Indiana State career receiving touchdown record of 15 TDs. Tonyan also currently ranks fifth all-time in receptions (127), sixth in yards (1,714) and within reach of Steve Schmid's 1968 single-season TD record of eight (Tonyan currently has five).

• Freshman kicker Jerry Nunez is one of 12 kickers in the nation to remain perfect thus far into the 2016 season. Nunez is 7-for-7 on the year, which leads the Valley and ranks tied for third in the FCS in field goals made.

• Nunez ranks eighth in the Valley in overall scoring at 7.6 PPG (seven FG, 17 PATs).

SYCAMORES IN THE NATIONAL POLLS/VS. RANKED TEAMS

• Indiana State briefly jumped into the national top-25 following an upset over No. 9 Illinois State at home on Sept. 24. Indiana State received a No. 24 ranking last week in both the STATS FCS and HERO Sports national polls, but fell 45-24 to Missouri State on Homecoming last Saturday (Oct. 1).

• While not ranked this week, the Sycamores are still receiving votes in both polls (ISU is not receiving any votes in the FCS Coaches Poll).

• Indiana State has ranked in any variation of the national polls 52 times since joining the Valley in 1986.

• Since joining the Valley, the Sycamores have reached a high ranking of No. 14 three times: 1989 (Preseason), 1995 (Nov. 6) and 2012 (Oct. 29).

• Prior to joining the MVFC, the Sycamores reached an all-time high ranking of No. 1 in the nation during the 1984 Playoff season.

• The Sycamores have faced the No. 1 team in the nation 10 times since joining the Valley, going 1-9 in such games. ISU's one victory came at No. 1 North Dakota State on Oct. 13, 2012, winning 17-14 in the Fargodome.

• The Sycamores own a 16-86 all-time record against Top-25 teams, which includes a 12-66 mark against ranked MVFC schools.

• Since joining the Valley, Indiana State is 20-25 as a ranked team.

• While ranked, Indiana State is 3-10 all-time vs. other ranked MVFC schools, all wins coming in 2014 vs. No. 10 Northern Iowa on Oct. 4 (20-19), at No. 19 Southern Illinois on Oct. 25 (41-26) and at No. 15 Youngstown State on Nov. 15 (27-24, OT).

1989 (1-0)

Preseason, #14

1995 (1-3)

Oct. 9, #23; Oct. 23, #22; Nov. 6, #14; Nov. 13, #19; Nov. 20, #24; Final, #24

1996 (2-3)

Preseason, #24; Sept. 2, #25; Oct. 14, #23; Oct. 21, #21; Oct. 28, #23; Nov. 4, #21

2011 (3-4)

Sept. 26, #23; Oct. 3, #17; Oct. 10, #21; Oct. 17, #16; Oct. 24, #18; Oct. 31, #16; Nov. 7, #23; Nov. 14, #23

2012 (4-4)

Preseason, #23; Sept. 3, #23; Sept. 10, #22; Sept. 17, #22; Oct. 15, #21; Oct. 22, #15; Oct. 29, #14; Nov. 5, #18; Nov. 12, #18; Nov. 19, #23

2014 (5-5)

Sept. 29, #25; Oct. 6, #20; Oct. 13, #22; Oct. 20, #22; Oct. 27, #19; Nov. 3, #17; Nov. 10, #23; Nov. 17, #18; Nov. 24, #21; Final, #19

2015 (4-5)

Preseason, #20; Sept. 7, #21; Sept. 14, #23; Sept. 21, #22; Sept. 28, #21; Oct. 5, #19; Oct. 12., #21; Oct. 19, #18; Oct. 26, #21; Nov. 2, #23

2016 (0-1)

Sept. 26, #24

INDIANA STATE HEAD COACH MIKE SANFORD

HEAD COACH MIKE SANFORD

Indiana State head coach Mike Sanford (Southern California, 1978) is 33-68 (.327) overall in his ninth season as a head coach and is 17-25 (.405) in his fourth season with Indiana State. He is 8-18 all-time in MVFC games, including a 5-9 mark at home and an 3-9 mark on the road. During his career, he is 24-27 in all home games, 9-41 on the road and 12-9 in games decided by three points or less. With the Sycamores, Sanford is 1-1 in overtime games and 0-1 in shutouts. Saturday's game is Sanford's 43rd as the Indiana State head coach and his 102nd as a collegiate head coach.

INDIANA STATE OFFENSIVE NOTES

QUICK HITS

• Total offense: 414.2 (6th MVFC, 32nd FCS)

• Rushing offense: 125.2 (10th MVFC, 87th FCS)

• Passing offense: 289.0 (3rd MVFC, 19th FCS)

• Indiana State enters Saturday's contest with the 32nd-best offense in the nation at 414.2 total yards per game.

• The Sycamores own the 19th-best passing offense in the nation at 289.0 passing yards per game, third-best in the Valley.

• QB Isaac Harker has has passed for 300 yards in three of five games this season after a 2015 season that saw no ISU passer eclipe the 300-yard mark.

• Harker ranks in the national top-30 in: passing yards (8th, 1,435), passing touchdowns (9th, 11 TDs),  points responsible for (9th, 80), completions per game (10th, 24.4/game), passing yards per game (15th, 287.0 YPG),  total offense (18th, 283.4 YPG) and points responsible for per game (18th, 16.4 PPG).

• Harker has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark passing this season, throwing 122-of-201 (60.7 percent) for 1,435 yards, 11 TD and three interceptions.

• Harker is currently on pace for a 3,157-yard, 25 TD season with seven interceptions. The school record for TD passes in a season is 21, set by current WR coach Mike Perish in 2014.

• Harker did not throw an interception in his first 146 career pass attempts (142 coming this season), his first coming late against No. 9 Illinois State on Sept. 24. Harker threw two vs. Missouri State last week, pushing his season total to three.

• Harker opened the game vs. Missouri State with a 38-yard TD strike to WR Miles Thompson on the first offensive play of the game. This was the second time in three weeks Harker led the Sycamores to a score on the first play of the game after a 75-yard play-action wheel-route TD to RB Dimitri Taylor at Southeast Missouri on Sept. 17.

• Harker has 18 passing plays of 20 yards or longer this season, including seven 30 yards or longer and three plays of 50 yards or longer -- a 56-yard TD to WR Bob Pugh vs. Butler, a 58-yard gain on a tipped pass to WR Clayton Smith at Minnesota and a 75-yard wheel-route TD to RB Dimitri Taylor at SEMO.

• That 75-yard pass from Harker to Taylor is the longest offensive play by the Sycamores since Nov. 1, 2014, when LeMonte Booker broke off a run of 87 yards vs. Missouri State. It is also the longest pass play since Sept. 6, 2014, when Mike Perish found Gary Owens on a 79-yard strike vs. Tennessee Tech.

• Harker also has a receiving TD (10 yards, from WR Bob Pugh, at Minnesota) and a rushing TD (1 yard, vs. Butler) to his credit.

• Harker has connected with senior WR Robert Tonyan Jr. 33 times for 366 yards and five TDs this season. Tonyan is on pace for an 806-yard, 11 TD season. In his three seasons as a WR, Tonyan has 127 receptions for 1,714 yards and 15 touchdowns.

• Tonyan ranks in the national top-30 in: receiving touchdowns (11th, 5 TDs) and receptions/game (19th, 6.6).

• Tonyan is currently tied with Joe Downing (1982-85) for the all-time Indiana State career receiving touchdown record of 15 TDs. Tonyan also currently ranks fifth all-time in receptions (127), sixth in yards (1,714) and within reach of Steve Schmid's 1968 single-season TD record of eight (Tonyan currently has five).

• Tonyan needs six catches to pass Terry Bell (132 rec., 1982-85) for fourth place all-time and is 86 yards shy of becoming just the sixth Sycamore to ever eclipse 1,800 yards receiving.

• Only two Sycamore receivers have ever broken 2,000 yards in a career: Sam Logan (2,385, 2003-06) and Terry Bell (1982-85, 2,048).

• Tonyan is the only Sycamore to ever have three receiving TDs in multiple games in a career: at Minnesota (Sept. 10, 2016) and at No. 3 Illinois State on Oct. 31, 2015. Tonyan is one of 11 FCS receivers this year to have three or more receiving TDs in a single game.

• Indiana State has eight offensive position players over 100 yards this season: RB Roland Genesy (289 rush), RB Dimitri Taylor (183 rush, 128 rec.), RB Jaquan Keys (165 rush), WR Robert Tonyan Jr. (366 rec.), WR Miles Thompson (208 rec.), WR Bob Pugh (246 rec.) and WR Clayton Smith (115 rec.).

OFFENSIVE PARITY

QB Isaac Harker has played splendidly through his first four games as ISU's starter, but it helps having the offensive weapons he has around him. Having an NFL-caliber receiver in the 6-5, 230 Robert Tonyan Jr. has helped, as the duo has connected 33 times this season for 366 yards and five touchdowns, but there are currently five Sycamore receivers with 100 or more yards on the season, including three with 200 or more. Redshirt junior and former Kentucky Wildcat Miles Thompson has emerged as of late, hauling in 16 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns – one being the game-winner with 10.8 seconds remaining at Southeast Missouri on Sept. 17. JUCO WR Bob Pugh has also been an explosive threat with 246 yards and one touchdown on 14 catches, a whopping 17.6 yards per reception. In addition, the Sycamore offense currently has three running backs with 100 yards or more on the season: Roland Genesy (289 yards, 5 TD), Dimitri Taylor (183 yards) and Jaquan Keys (165 yards).

TONYAN CLIMBING THE RANKS

In addition to turning the heads of NFL scouts, senior WR Robert Tonyan Jr. is currently writing his name all over the Sycamore record book. On Sept. 24 vs. No. 9 Illinois State, Tonyan caught his 15th career receiving touchdown, tying him for the all-time ISU record set by Joe Downing in 1985. Tonyan already passed Downing in career receptions, and at 127 total catches he stands five away from fourth all-time Terry Bell, 1982-85, 132). At 1,714 career receiving yards, he sits in sixth all-time and is poised to soon become just the sixth Sycamore to ever eclipse 1,800 yards receiving in a career. Only two have ever broken 2,000 yards: Sam Logan (2003-06, 2,385) and Terry Bell (2,048). Tonyan also stands within reason of breaking Steve Schmid's 48-year-old single-season TD reception record of eight set in 1968 (Tonyan currently has five this season).

THRICE AS NICE, PART DEUX

Most receivers would be lucky to receive three touchdowns in one game during their career, but most receivers aren't Robert Tonyan Jr. The 6-5, 230-pound senior tore up yet another Big Ten secondary for a monster eight-catch, 90-yard day and three touchdowns at Minnesota on Sept. 12 to prove on a national stage that he is an upper-echelon receiver at any level of NCAA college football. This came on the heels of a very impressive three touchdown performance at No. 3 Illinois State in the rain in 2015, which included a superb one-handed snare that ended up as the No. 4 play of the day on SportsCenter's Top-10. Tonyan is now the only Sycamore to ever have two separate three touchdown games, and with 15 career receiving touchdowns he is tied with Joe Downing's for the all-time career record at Indiana State – an impressive feat for someone who came to Indiana State as a QB. In his career as a WR, Tonyan now has 16 receptions for 211 yards and four TDs against three Big Ten teams (Indiana in 2014, Purdue in 2015 and Minnesota in 2016), and he has 19 catches for 243 yards and four scores against all FBS schools when ISU's upset at Ball State in 2014 is included.

FROM BACKUP QB TO NFL PROSPECT

Senior WR Robert Tonyan Jr. has NFL scouts on the edge of their seats heading into the 2016 season, but it wasn't that long ago that Tonyan was struggling for playing time elsewhere. Tonyan originally came to Indiana State as a quarterback, and after redshirting the 2012 season he was part of a dual QB setup with Mike Perish in 2013. That year, Tonyan was 32-of-102 for 348 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games played.

The next year, at the behest of the coaching staff, Tonyan made the transition to wide receiver and never looked back. His first year as a WR in 2014, Tonyan was the 10th-best in the Valley with 4.2 catches per game, ending the year with 747 yards on 54 receptions and four touchdowns. After another stellar year in 2015 that saw 601 yards and six touchdowns on 40 catches, the 6-5, 220-pound McHenry, Ill., Tonyan has now surpassed 1,700 yards and 100 career receptions, currently standing at 1,714 yards and 127 receptions and 15 TDs.

RUNNING ON EMPTY?

The Sycamore backfield looked to be depleted entering the 2016 season after losing RBs LeMonte Booker and Marlon Fleming to season-ending injuries, but the ISU RBs have stepped up in a productive manner, with all three top backs over the century mark on the season. Senior RB Roland Genesy, last season's leading rusher for the Sycamores, recorded his first career 100-yard game as a Sycamore vs. No. 9 Illinois State, totaling 112 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Sycamore offense to the 34-31 upset. Genesy followed that up with another two-touchdown performance vs. Missouri State. Genesy currently stands at 289 yards and five scores on 56 carries, and in his two seasons at ISU he has 871 yards and eight TDs. Dimitri Taylor has been equally as effective at 183 yards on 49 carries, but he also has 128 yards receiving -- most coming on a 75-yard TD strike on the first play of the game at Southeast Missouri. Jaquan Keys has been an efficient change of pace back that can bounce around in the tackles and get to the edge, totaling 165 yards on 39 carries.

I CAN SEE FOR MILES

After missing the season opener, redshirt junior WR Miles Thompson has emerged as a big-play threat for QB Isaac Harker opposite the often double-teamed Robert Tonyan Jr. In four games played, Thompson -- a former Kentucky Wildcat -- is ISU's second-best receiver with 16 receptions for 208 yards and three scores -- one being the game-winning 15-yard TD strike with 10.8 seconds remaining at SEMO. Thompson also had a big TD against Missouri State on Oct. 1, hauling in a long 38-yard seam fade on the first offensive play of the game. Thompson currently averages 52.0 yards per game and 13.0 yards per reception.

INDIANA STATE DEFENSIVE/SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

QUICK HITS

• Total defense: 445.6 YPG (7th MVFC, 97th FCS)

• Rushing defense: 183.6 YPG (8th MVFC, 76th FCS)

• Passing defense: 262.0 YPG (9th MVFC, 97th FCS)

• The Sycamore defense allowed 473 yards of total offense to Missouri State on Oct. 1, just the second team this season to break 400 yards (Minnesota recorded 593 on Sept. 10).

• Missouri State also recorded the second-highest totals against ISU this season in rushing (194) and passing (279), the leader in both being Minnesota (292 rushing, 301 passing).

• A week earlier, the Sycamores held No. 9 Illinois State to 121 rushing yards, the lowest opposing rushing total against Indiana State this season.

• ISU allowed two plays of 60 yards or longer against Missouri State last week; entering, the Sycamores had only allowed one play of 50 yards or longer all season (50-yard TD rush by Minnesota's Kobe McCrary).

• Indiana State held the Redbirds to just 392 yards of total offense on Sept. 24, the third game in five this season that the Sycamore defense has held opponents to less than 400 yards of total offense.

• Under head coach Mike Sanford and defensive coordinator Brian Cabral, only four FCS schools have ever broken the 500-yard plateau against the Sycamores: Western Illinois (524; Nov. 14, 2015), Southern Illinois (554; Oct. 17, 2015), Chattanooga (503; Dec. 6, 2014, Second Round of FCS Playoffs) and South Dakota State (510; Nov. 8, 2014).

• The only other schools to break 500 yards have all been FBS Big Ten opponents: Minnesota (593; Sept. 10, 2016), Purdue (540; Sept. 12, 2015) and Indiana (566, Aug. 30, 2014; 632, Aug. 29, 2013).

• Under Sanford and Cabral, the Sycamore defense has held opponents to under 400 yards of total offense in 27 of 42 games played. (nine each in 2013 and 2014, six in 2015, three in 2016). In those games, Indiana State is 15-12.

• The Sycamores recorded a season-high 10.0 TFL for a loss of 48 yards against the Redbirds, which included 3.0 sacks for a loss of 19 yards. Included in the sack total is LB Jonas Griffith's game-winning forced fumble of Illinois State QB Jake Kolbe. Entering the contest, Indiana State had 15.0 TFL for a loss of 47 yards on the entire season.

• ISU's 10.0 TFL against Illinois State are the most by a Sycamore defense since recording 11.0 against Butler in 2015. Indiana State's 3.0 sacks are also the most since recording 3.0 for a loss of 20 at UNI in 2015.

• Last week the Sycamores had another great day in the backfield with 9.0 TFL for 29 yards and 3.0 sacks for 19 yards vs. Missouri State.

• Indiana State has recorded at least 6.0 TFL in four of five games this season with 9.0 or more in each of the last two. In those games, the Sycamores are averaging 24.8 yards lost on TFL per game. A total of 16 different Sycamores have had their hand in a TFL, with 11 contributed to more than 1.0 TFL.

• LB Jameer Thurman had a monster day vs. Missouri State last week with 14 tackles (seven solo), 4.0 TFL for a loss of 12 yards, and a forced fumble on a sack of MSU QB Brodie Lambert that briefly turned the tide for the Sycamores in the second quarter.

• Thurman enters Saturday's contest just six tackles shy of the 300 mark in his career. Once he does eclipse the milestone, Thurman will become the 20th member of ISU's 300-tackle club. Current LB coach Aaron Archie is at the top of that list with his school-record 428 total tackles.

• Thurman leads Indiana State and the Valley with 46 total tackles, while his 9.2 tackles per game ranks second in the MVFC and 40th nationally. Thurman also ranks seventh in forced fumbles (3) and 40th in TFL (7.0).

• Thurman is Indiana State's active leader in total tackles (294), solo tackles (142), assisted tackles (152), tackles for loss (26.0), sacks (7.0), forced fumbles (6) and fumble recoveries (4).

• Senior safety Tsali Lough returned a fumble 100 yards for a TD in the season opener vs. Butler, the fourth 100-yard play in Indiana State history, but the first fumble return. The other three were interception returns: Marty Murray (Sept. 17, 1977, vs. Southern Illinois), Vencie Glenn (Sept. 1, 1984, vs. Wayne State) and Travis Starks (Sept. 19, 2015, vs. Southeast Missouri).

THURMAN IN TOP COMPANY

Senior LB Jameer Thurman was a one-man wrecking crew for the Sycamore defense in Saturday's 45-24 loss to Missouri State, adding to what is turning into quite the senior season for the Bellwood, Ill., native. Against MSU, Thurman put together a monster line of 14 tackles (seven solo), 4.0 TFL for 12 yards, and a sack of seven yards on a forced fumble of QB Brodie Lambert that briefly turned the tide for the Sycamores in the second quarter. Thurman leads the Valley with 46 total tackles and 30 assisted tackles, while ranking second with 9.2 tackles per game. Thurman also ranks third in the Valley with 7.0 TFL and tied for the lead in forced fumbles with three. Nationally, Thurman ranks seventh in forced fumbles and 40th in both total tackles and TFL. At 294 career tackles, Thurman is closing in on becoming the 20th member of Indiana State's 300-tackle club. His career line also includes 26.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three INTs and nine PBUs.

JAMEER THURMAN: #20 IN YOUR PROGRAMS...

...but No. 1 as the active leader in several statistical categories among Sycamore defenders. Thurman has been a consistent force for the Sycamores during the last three years, and he ranks as the active leader in: total tackles (294), solo tackles (142), assisted tackles (152), tackles for loss (26.0), sacks (7.0), forced fumbles (6) and fumble recoveries (4). Thurman is just six tackles away from becoming the 16th-member of the 300-tackle club in Indiana State history -- a list that is topped by current LB coach Aaron Archie's school-record 428 total tackles.

CLUTCH DEFENSE

Freshman LB Jonas Griffith sealed the upset against No. 9 Illinois State on Sept. 24 with a clutch forced fumble late in the fourth quarter to stop a charging Redbird offense. However, Griffith was just one of several Sycamore defenders to come through in timely situations on Saturday, as Indiana State recorded a whopping 10.0 TFL for a loss of 48 yards; for reference, the Sycamores entered the game contest with 15.0 TFL for 47 yards on the entire season. The Sycamore defense kept it up the next week vs. Missouri State, recording 9.0 TFL for a loss of 29 yards and 3.0 sacks for a loss of 19.

DEFENSE WINS

The Sycamore defense has given up a handful of large offensive outputs under head coach Mike Sanford and defensive coordinator Brian Cabral, but a closer look at the numbers reveals that the Sycamores have been fairly consistent at keeping their own offense in the game. In 42 games coached at Indiana State, the duo have kept opponents to under 400 yards of total offense 27 times, going 15-12 in such games. In the last four years under their leadership, the Sycamores have only given up 500 yards or more eight times -- only four such occurrences coming from fellow FCS schools, the other four coming from FBS Big Ten Opponents Minnesota (593; Sept. 10, 2016), Purdue (540; Sept. 12, 2015) and Indiana (566, Aug. 30, 2014; 632, Aug. 29, 2013).

CHAOS IS A LADDER...

...and the Sycamores have climbed it to their advantage in the backfield this season. A key component to defensive coordinator Brian Cabral's shifting scheme, the Sycamores have tallied up 34.0 TFL for a loss of 124 yards -- 19.0 and 77 yards of which have come in the last two games alone vs. No. 9 Illinois State (10.0 for 48, most since recording 11.0 vs. Butler in 2015) and Missouri State (9.0 for 29). The Sycamores have recorded 9.0 sacks for a loss of 60 yards this season as well, with 6.0 for 38 yards coming in the last two games. In five games, the Sycamore defense has recorded at least 6.0 TFL in four contests -- averaging 24.8 yards lost in those contests.

A total of 16 different Sycamores have had their hands in the TFL fun, but none more so than LB Jameer Thurman (7.0, 22 yards), DL Kenyota Rollins (5.5, 18 yards), and graduate transfer LB Cedric Doxy (4.0, 13 yards), who together combine for 16.5 TFL for a loss of 53 yards. Defensive linemen Conlan Cassidy (2.5) and Norvell McGlaun (2.0) have also gotten in on the fun as ISU's top-two in QB sacks.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

True freshman kicker Jerry Nunez emerged from a training camp battle as the starting field goal kicker and hasn't looked back en route to a perfect 7-for-7 start to his Sycamore career. Nunez has knocked down field goals of 37 and 29 vs. Butler, 22 and 43 at SEMO, shots of 41 and 27 against No. 9 Illinois State and a 39-yarder vs. Missouri State. Nunez's two 40-plus yard field goals are the longest by a Sycamore kicker in two seasons since Eric Heidorn hit a 49 yarder against Illinois State on Oct. 11, 2014. Nunez leads the Valley and ranks tied for third nationally with his seven field goals, and he also ranks eighth in the Valley in overall scoring at 7.6 PPG with his seven field goals and his perfect 17-for-17 clip in PAT attempts.

JOSHUA APPEL: ALL-AMERICAN

Sycamore fans may not want to see the punter in action, but they had best pay close attention to who is snapping him the ball, as Indiana State may have the best long snapper in college football in 2016. Senior Joshua Appel continues to dazzle at camps around the country, and this past summer he was rewarded with a spot on the First-Team on the STATS FCS Preseason All-American team. Appel was also a Preseason honoree in 2015 as a Second-Team member, and was named a First-Team All-American at the end of the season. Appel, a senior finance major from Normal, Ill., is a two-time winner of the well-known long snapping camp hosted by Chris Rubio. This summer, Appel bested 37 of the best long-snappers in the United States to take the overall title at the Rubio camp.

For the latest information on the Sycamore Football team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.