By Austin Duncan
NORMAL, Ill- The Illinois State Redbirds used 350 rushing yards to secure a 36-19 victory over Missouri Valley Football Conference foe Western Illinois at Hancock Stadium in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs.
Western Illinois started the game with the ball and the two teams traded possessions ending with punts.
At the 6:39 mark of the first quarter, Marshaun Coprich capped a nine play 71-yard drive with a three yard touchdown to give ISU a 7-0 lead.
The Redbird defense held tough, holding Western Illinois to just a pair of first half field-goals from kicker, Nathan Knuffman of 43 and 41 yards, making the halftime score 7-6.
The Leathernecks took its first lead of the game at in the third quarter when Sean McGuire connected with Lance Lenoir on a 22-yard touchdown pass.
It then became the Tre Roberson show as Roberson and the Redbirds captured the lead for good on a five-yard run by Roberson. ISU converted on the two point try to give ISU a 15-12 lead with under a minute to play in the third quarter.
Roberson struck again early in the fourth quarter, scoring on a 32-yard run to inflate the ISU lead to 22-12.
Western answered when McGuire found Jaelon Acklin for a 26-yard score, to cut the defect to three.
It was the Redbirds turn again when Roberson found his favorite target, Anthony Warrum in the end zone for 21 yards. ISU was not done as All-Conference running back Marshaun Coprich rattled off a 72-yard touchdown run.
The Leathernecks had one more chance at the end zone when ISU defensive back DraShane Glass intercepted a McGuire pass to solidify the victory.
Roberson completed 10 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Coprich collected 217 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. Warrum, who has not collected a catch since ISU’s game at South Dakota State, caught six passes for 107 yards and a score.
The Redbird offense collected 482 total offensive yards, including 350 of them on the ground.
Western Illinois’ McGuire completed 22 passes for 341 yards and a pair of scores. Leatherneck standout running back Nikko Watson was held to just 41 yards on 18 carries.
This was the second meeting between the two schools this season. In a nearly identical game, Illinois State won the first meeting 48-28 after trailing in the third quarter.
The No.2 seeded Redbirds improve to 10-2 on the season and advance to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs where they will host No.7 Richmond (9-3). The game will take place Friday at 6:30 p.m. Richmond defeated William & Mary 48-13 in the second round of the playoffs.
Illinois State currently holds longest home win streak in FCS, which now expands to 19 games.
Austin Duncan can be reached at [email protected]
