By Austin Duncan
CARBONDALE- The Illinois State Redbird defense held Southern Illinois scoreless in the second half en route to a 42-21 Missouri Valley Football Conference victory over the Salukis.
The Redbirds bounced back this week following its first MVFC loss to South Dakota State a week ago, but it was SIU controlled the second quarter.
The first quarter ended in a standstill as both teams could not put any points on the board.
SIU struck first on a 7 yard pass from Mark Iannotti to Adam Fuehne. This score was the first of a back and forth affair.
ISU answered on an 11 yard touchdown run by Marshaun Coprich, followed by an SIU touchdown pass from Iannotti to Kyle Newquist. It was Jamal Towns turn answer, collected a 40 yard touchdown run to tie the game.
Southern Illinois had the momentum headed into the second half, scoring with four seconds to play on a 12 yard pass from Iannotti to Billy Reed. That would be the last time the Salukis would see the endzone, leading 21-14 at the half.
The Redbirds went on a tear in the second half scoring 28 unanswered points. ISU leaned on a familiar duo in the second half, scoring on 23 and 13 yard touchdown runs by quarterback Tre Roberson and two scores of 22 and 75 yards by Marshaun Coprich.
Roberson completed four passes on 13 attempts for 88 yards, including a 41 yard pass to Christian Gibbs. Roberson also ran for 72 yards on 13 carries. Marshaun Coprich rushed for a game high 254 yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball for the Redbirds, Pat Meehan returned a fumble 74 yards, and Teddy Corwin had an interception return of 10 yards.
The Redbirds improve to 8-2 on the season with a 6-1 mark in the MVFC while Southern Illinois falls to -3-7 (2-5 MVFC).
Illinois State concludes its regular season at home next Saturday when South Dakota comes to town. Kickoff is scheduled for noon. Redbird Preview will begin at 11 a.m.
Listen to head coach Brock Spack, Teddy Corwin, and Marshaun Coprich’s postgame comments here.
