TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State is back home this weekend as the Sycamores welcome the Western Illinois Leathernecks to Memorial Stadium for a Missouri Valley Football Conference matchup on Saturday, October 9. The contest between the Sycamores and the Leathernecks will be carried live on ESPN3 and 105.5 The Legend with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
Game Day Information and Activities
Game Day Sponsor: Terre Haute Chevrolet
It is the focus of Terre Haute Chevrolet to provide world-class service to all of our customers. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and leave you feeling more than satisfied. We are confident that our values will be evident when you walk through our doors. We strive to give our customers a higher level of service and provide a great value.
TribStar Appreciation Day
Indiana State Athletics is recognizing the employees of The Tribune-Star at the game on Saturday for their efforts and assistance in working with the Sycamores to promote Indiana State athletics throughout Terre Haute and the entire Wabash Valley.
Student Giveaway: All students attending the game will receive a raffle ticket that they can redeem for a chance to win a prize at the Indiana State - Bradley volleyball match on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. at ISU Arena.
Updated Tailgating and Clear Bag Policies
Indiana State Athletics announced updated tailgating and clear bag policies for the 2021-22 athletic year in early August. The policies are consistent with other members in both the Missouri Valley Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference. To find out more,
click here.
Sycamore Athletics Lands New Flagship Radio Home
Indiana State has found a new home radio station. Sycamore Athletics and DLC Media have reached a three-year agreement to bring ISU sports to 105.5 FM. To see more,
click here.
Football Season Tickets Still on Sale/Mobile Ticketing
Indiana State football season ticket membership renewals and new season ticket memberships are now on sale for the 2021 season. Season tickets start at just $50 for adults and $20 for youth. Faculty, staff, seniors and members of the I-Club can purchase tickets for just $45 while Family Packs are available for just $140. Chairback rentals are available for $20. To find out more,
click here.
Game Notes
Keeping the Streak Alive
Indiana State enters the week looking to keep their two-game winning streak against Western Illinois as the Sycamores welcome the Catamounts to Memorial Stadium for their third MVFC matchup of the 2021 season. The Sycamores have won each of the last two contests against the Leathernecks including a 20-10 win in the 2019 season in their last game. The two-game winning streak matches ISU's longest winning streak in the series which has occurred five separate times throughout the series.
Picking up the Conference Win
Indiana State is looking to bounce back after falling in back-to-back weeks to start Missouri Valley Football play. The Sycamores' last time they started off the season with two consecutive losses was in the 2018 season. Following the two defeats, Indiana State caught fire toward the end of the season going 5-1 down the stretch to post a winning record in conference play for the first time since the 2012 year. The Sycamores will look to recapture that magic heading into a key conference game against the Leathernecks.
Missouri Valley Challenging Slate
The Missouri Valley Football Conference continues to dominate the FCS landscape as we near the midway point of the 2021 regular season. The MVFC has featured at least three teams in the top-10 in both major polls for a majority of the season, while seven different teams have been listed among the top-25 or receiving votes over the last three weeks.
Series Matchup
Western Illinois leads the all-time matchup between the two teams, 26-17, dating back to their first matchup in the 1967 season. The Sycamores have won each of the last two games in the matchup in both the 2018 and 2019 season which tied for their longest winning streak in the series. Eleven of the Sycamores wins in the series have come at home with ISU posting an 11-10 record at their home stadium against the Leathernecks.
First Three
November 11, 1967 – vs. Western Illinois – L, 26-7
November 16, 1968 – at Western Illinois – W, 14-10
September 11, 1971 – at Western Illinois – L, 23-21
Last Three
November 11, 2017 – vs. Western Illinois – L, 45-0
November 17, 2018 – at Western Illinois, W, 15-13
October 12, 2019 – vs. Western Illinois – W, 20-10
On This Date
Indiana State has played in 11 games on October 9 in program history and has posted a 2-9 overall record on the date. The Sycamores and Leathernecks have competed against each other once previously on October 9 with Western Illinois taking the 29-27 win.
On This Date
1937 – Ball State – L, 7-0
1948 – St. Joseph's (Ind.) – L, 7-0
1954 – St. Joseph's (Ind.) – L, 21-20
1965 – Ball State – L, 52-15
1971 – Ball State – L, 20-17
1976 – Northern Illinois – W, 28-10
1982 – Maryland – L, 38-0
1993 – Northern Iowa – L, 17-10
1999 – Illinois State – L, 20-17
2004 – at Western Illinois – L, 29-27
2010 – Illinois State – W, 59-24
Opponent Information
Western Illinois was selected 11th overall in the Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason poll as voted on by the conference's head coaches, media members, and sports information personnel. The Leathernecks received 83 total points in the poll after a 1-5 spring season where they picked up a win over Youngstown State, before their final two weeks of the season were called due to COVID concerns.
Senior wide receiver Dennis Houston was recognized on the conference's preseason First Team, while fellow wideout Tony Tate earned Second Team recognition. Quarterback Connor Sampson, offensive lineman William Waddell, and punter Adam Fellner were also recognized on the preseason honorable mention squad.
The Western Illinois offense has been clicking over the past few weeks as the Leathernecks have averaged 41.33 points per game in their last three contests, including a 62-56 shootout loss to Eastern Washington. The Leathernecks put up 38 points in their lone win of the 2021 season two weeks ago against Youngstown State, while their comeback attempt this past weekend against Southern Illinois fell short in overtime in the 31-30 loss.
Key to their success this season has been the quarterback play of the aforementioned Sampson. He currently leads the MVFC in pass attempts (199), completions (135), touchdowns (12), and yards (282.40). Sampson is also second overall in the conference in total offense per game at 274.4. Four different wide receivers have at least 15 catches in the WIU offense paced byt Houston and Tate.
The wide receiver duo of Houston and Tate have also wasted little time asserting their dominance early this year. Houston currently leads the MVFC in all-purpose yards per game (134.6), while Tate is ninth in the individual statistics (78.2). Houston (124.4) is the lone wide receiver in the conference to average over 100-yards receiving per game and his 41 receptions on the year are 12 more than his closest competitor in the category (29, Landon Lenoir – SIU).
The defensive talents of Darius Joiner and Michael Lawson pave the way for the Western Illinois unit in the 2021 season. Joiner leads the way with 66 tackles on the year and has added 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Lawson is close behind his teammate with 57 tackles, while his four interceptions lead the MVFC. Lawson also is first in the conference with four forced fumbles.
Larkin Does It All
Redshirt senior tight end
Zach Larkin has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Indiana State offense in the 2021 season. Larkin has posted back-to-back five-catch games, scored receiving touchdowns against Northwestern and South Dakota, lined up as the Sycamores Wildcat quarterback in short-yardage situations, and the former quarterback even completed his first pass of the season against the Coyotes. Larkin's ability to make things happen when the ball is in his hands has been vital to the Indiana State offense on the year and he enters the week having caught at least one pass in 12 consecutive games, while coming off a career-high 42 receiving yard game against USD. He is expected to once again be among the team leaders this weekend in a key matchup against Western Illinois.
Kerlegrand Among Conference Leaders
Senior running back
Peterson Kerlegrand is one of just a few ballcarriers in the Missouri Valley Conference that can be labeled a true workhorse in the 2021 season as the season nears its midway point on the schedule. The Fort Wayne, Ind. native is second in the MVFC in total carries on the year (72) and is one of just three backs to eclipse the 70-rush mark on the season. Kerlegrand has a pair of 70-yard efforts on the year in the opener against Eastern Illinois and two weeks ago against South Dakota State, while he's eclipsed 10-plus carries in all five Indiana State games in the 2021 season. Additionally, Kerlegrand is tied for fourth on the team with five receptions for 67 yards and is tied for the team lead with two 20-plus yard catches on the year.
Morgan Catches Everything
Wide receiver
Rontrez Morgan continues to define the possession receiver role for the Indiana State offense in the 2021 season as the senior wide receiver sits third overall in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in total receptions. Morgan added four more catches to his team-leading total this past weekend against South Dakota to sit third in the conference with 26 grabs on the year. The Jacksonville, Fla. native has provided a key security blanket for the Sycamores quarterbacks on the season and has been among the team leaders in receiving yards through the first five games. He also reached double-digits in consecutive games with multiple catches dating back to the 2019 season as he continues to expand on his best year in the Sycamore Blue & White.
Thompson Showcases Versatility
Anthony Thompson showcased a little bit of everything this past weekend in the Sycamores' loss to South Dakota. The redshirt senior quarterback finished 16-of-24 through the air for 135 yards and a touchdown, while adding six rushing carries in the contest. The Chicago, Ill. native was also on the receiving end of one of the Sycamores top passing plays of the season as Thompson took the throwback pass from
Zach Larkin down the left sideline for a 30-yard pickup in their touchdown drive against the Coyotes. Thompson leads the team in passing yards (515) and passing touchdowns (3), while also sitting second on the team with 26 rushing attempts on the year.
Spreading the Ball Around
Indiana State's quarterbacks have been able to spread the ball around to the wealth of targets in the offense this season. The Sycamores have completed passes to 12 different players on the year with
Daijon Collins and
Anthony Thompson adding their names to the list this past weekend against South Dakota.
Rontrez Morgan leads the team with 26 catches on the year, while
Phazione McClurge (15) and
Zach Larkin (16) are also in double-digits on the year. Overall, 10 different players have recorded multiple catches in the Sycamores offense this season.
Limiting the turnovers
Indiana State's struggles over the last three weeks can be attributed to the Sycamores struggling in the turnover battle. Indiana State has turned the ball over five times over the last three contests, including two games with at least two interceptions – including a pick-six in the eventual win over Eastern Kentucky. The Sycamores offense has worked best this year when it's featured a ball-control set and is moving the chains consistently on the year. Western Illinois sits 17th in the FCS in turnovers gained on the year with 10 and will look to keep the pressure on the Sycamores offense this weekend.
DBs in the Backfield
Indiana State recorded four sacks this past weekend against South Dakota, but they did not come from the usual suspects as the Sycamores found a way to utilize their defensive back pass rush effectively against the Coyotes. Both
Dwayne Thompson II and
Michael Thomas both recorded their first sacks of the season, while
JJ Henderson added another tackle for loss as the defensive backs continued to pressure the line of scrimmage. The Sycamores will look to their veteran leaders to continue to add to a pass rush that has already accumulated 13.0 sacks and 36.0 tackles for loss on the season.
Inoke on the Prowl
Redshirt senior defensive end
Inoke Moala saw his five-game tackle for loss streak come to an end this past weekend against South Dakota, but the Mishawaka, Ind. native made his presence felt all around the field finishing with two solo stops, while adding several hurried throws. Nearing the midway point in the 2021 fall season, Moala currently sits tied for the Missouri Valley Football Conference lead with 6.5 tackles for loss and has recorded multiple stops in the backfield in four of the five games on the year. He is the active ISU leader with 27.0 TFLs throughout his career, while he has lined up in 37 career games with the Sycamores since his freshman campaign. With the Leathernecks dropping back to pass more frequently than previous opponents, look for Moala to attempt to make a statement early in the competition to disrupt the WIU timing.
Brown Tackling Machine
Freshman linebacker
Geoffrey Brown continues to have nose for the football and a knack for making key plays heading into the Western Illinois contest. The Fishers, Ind. native posted his third consecutive game with at least four tackles this past week against South Dakota with his seven stops tying with
Gavin Dineen for second-most in the game behind teammate
Michael Thomas (9). Brown has been a wrecking ball along the line of scrimmage as the 6-1, 230-pound athlete is second on the team behind
Inoke Moala in tackles for loss (4.5), while he has also added a sack and a quarterback hurry. Brown has been one of the key pieces in the Sycamores' two-linebacker look through the first five games of the season and will be expected to take an active role against the high-powered WIU offense this weekend.
Stephens – Sack Man
When you look at quarterback takedowns on the Indiana State roster this season, you don't have to look much further than junior linebacker
Heath Stephen II. Stephen II leads the Sycamores with 3.0 sacks through the first three games on the year, while his three quarterback hurries are second on the roster. The Vauxhall, N.J. native opened up the 2021 season strong with sacks in back-to-back contests against Eastern Illinois and Northwestern, before being held at bay each of the last two weeks. He broke through once again this past weekend against South Dakota and currently sits tied for eighth in the MVFC in sacks per game. Stephen II is also fourth on the ISU roster with 17 tackles and has provided a good counterpunch to Brown in the linebacker corps on the year.
Finding the Pressure Points
Seeing the common theme among the defensive storylines this weekend, the Sycamores enter the weekend sitting among the Missouri Valley Football Conference in team sacks on the year with 13 (2.6 per game) through the first five games of the year. The Sycamores are also third in the conference and 33rd overall in FCS in tackles for loss per game at 6.8. If there is one aspect the Leathernecks have struggled on through the year, it's been protecting the backfield. WIU is 10th in FCS in passing offense (300.0 ypg), but the Leathernecks have struggled to keep the quarterback upright allowing 3.0 sacks and 5.4 tackles for loss per game.
Reiner Pinning Them Deep
Travis Reiner continues to sit among the Missouri Valley Football Conference leaders in punts, punts downed inside the 20, and touchbacks through the first five games in the 2021 season. The redshirt senior punter leads the conference in total punts on the year with 35, but it took until his fifth game of the season for one to sail into the end zone for a touchback. On the year, Reiner has pinned nine punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line and he's averaging 40.0 yards per attempt.
Selzer Connects Again
Redshirt senior placekicker
Alan Selzer was good again for the third time in the 2021 season this past weekend against South Dakota. The Dallas, Texas native converted his lone attempt of the contest, a 41-yard field goal, from the left hashmark to put the Sycamores on the scoreboard prior to the halftime break against the Coyotes. It marked his second 40-plus yard conversion of the 2021 season and his first field goal since the Eastern Kentucky game. His 48-yard conversion in the opener against Eastern Illinois is one of the longest conversions in the 2021 season in the MVFC and he will look to continue to make his mark on the special teams unit heading into Saturday's contest against the Leathernecks.
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