By Austin Duncan
NORMAL, Ill- The Illinois State Redbird football team rushed for 390 yards and its defense held South Dakota scoreless en route to a 46-0 over the Coyotes.
As the mixture of wind and snow affected the game, the Redbirds got off to a slow start, leading just 3-0 at the end of the first quarter on a 33 yard field goal by Sean Slattery.
The Redbird rush attack took over for the remainder of the game. In the second quarter, senior running back Marshaun Coprich rushed for a pair of scores from 12 and 45 yards out. Senior quarterback Tre Roberson connected with Christian Gibbs on a 20 yard touchdown pass to give ISU a 23-0 halftime lead.
ISU kicked off to start the second half. The opening kickoff was bobbled by USD and recovered by ISU’s Brent Spack. The Redbirds scored quickly on another 12 yard touchdown by Coprich. Later in the quarter, Roberson scored on an 80 yard scamper to inflate the Redbird lead to 36-0 at the end of the third quarter.
The long runs were not done yet as Coprich rattled off a 74 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Slattery added another field goal with 7:28 to score the last points of the game.
Coprich finished with a game high 251 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries. Four touchdown ties Coprich’s career high. Roberson added 121 yards on the ground on 11 attempts and a score.
The Redbirds threw just eight times as Roberson finished the game with two completions for 40 yards and a touchdown.
ISU’s defense allowed South Dakota just 155 yards as Teddy Corwin had a game high nine tackles. Pat Meehan and Alex Donnelly collected seven tackles each. David Perkins and Soniel Estime added 6 tackles a piece.
With the win, the Redbirds win its second straight share of the MVFC Title. ISU shares the conference championship with North Dakota State once against as NDSU easily handled Missouri State at the Fargo Dome.
ISU finishes the season 9-2 and 7-1 in the MVFC.
South Dakota finishes the season 5-6 and 3-5 in the conference.
The Redbirds will find out its playoff destiny Sunday as the FCS brackets will be released. WJBC will have a special selection Sunday show beginning at 10 a.m.
Austin Duncan can be reached at [email protected]
