By Austin Duncan
NORMAL, Ill- The Richmond Spiders collected over 500 total yards on offense, ending Illinois State’s season with a 39-27 loss in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs at Hancock Stadium.
Richmond began the game converting on a pair of third downs with passes of 35 and 34 yards from Kyle Lauletta to Porter Abell and Brian Brown, respectively, giving the Spiders a first and goal. The Redbird defense held tough, forcing a 19-yard field goal from Peter Yoder which gave Richmond a 3-0 lead with 10:11 to play in the first quarter.
On ISU’s first possession, it could not get anything going as the Spiders forced a punt.
Richmond capitalized, scoring on an 82-yard nine play drive as backup quarterback David Broadus ran it in from 13 yards out which put the Spiders up 10-0. Broadus was in for Lauletta who left with an apparent injury.
The Redbirds offense stalled once again, forcing a punt from Reece Attard who pinned Richmond at the Richmond 3.
Richmond then did what the ‘Birds were used to and converted a long pass on third down. Lauletta returned to the game to throw the ball deep. Redbird safety Soniel Estime had a different plan, intercepting the ball at the ISU 29.
Illinois State quarterback Tre Roberson collected the Redbirds first first-down of the game on a 17-yard run to put ISU in Richmond territory. Roberson then found his favorite target, Anthony Warrum on a 24-yard completion. Roberson and Warrum connected once more on the drive, this time in the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown pass to cut the defect to 10-7 early in the second quarter.
The Spiders drove into the red-zone yet again but were held to a 24-yard field goal from Yoder inflating its lead to 13-7 with 7:02 to play in the second quarter.
On Richmond’s next possession, it was faced with another third down when ISU defensive end David Perkins sacked Lauletta for a loss of nine yards to force a punt.
After Warrum returned the punt close to midfield, ISU’s offense stalled again.
Richmond continued to air it out, capping an 86 yard, eight play drive with a two-yard score by running back Jacobi Green, giving the Spiders a 19-7 halftime lead.
The Redbirds returned the second half kickoff to the 33 yard. Roberson scrambled for seven yards and passed found receiver Christian Gibbs and Bryce Jefferson for a pair of first downs. ISU’s offense was halted again, setting up a missed 49-yard field goal by place-kicker Sean Slattery.
Richmond’s offense stalled again and were forced to punt. Warrum fair caught the ball at the ISU 25, but a pair of penalties backed ISU up to its own eight yard line. Roberson found receivers Christian Gibbs and Anthony Fowler for a pair of first downs. It was Warrum on the receiving end of a 26-yard pass to get the ball to the Richmond 28. The 92-yard drive was capped by a five yard score from Marshaun Coprich to cut the lead to 19-14 with 5:36 to play in the third quarter.
The Spiders wasted no time, scoring on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Lauletta to Green. Yoder missed the extra point to inflate the Richmond lead to 25-14 at the 2:53 mark of the third quarter.
The Redbirds answered using an 11-yard run from Coprich, and a 25-yard pass to Warrum to get down to the Richmond three yard line. Roberson found Warrum in the end zone but the catch was negated by an illegal man downfield. Omar Howard intercepted Roberson’s next pass and returned it to its own 22 yard line.
Richmond ran the clock down to 10 minutes before Green ran it in from 27 yards out inflating its lead to 32-14.
ISU had one more gasp as Roberson connected with Jefferson for a 32-yard gain that took the ball down to the Richmond 38.
Illinois State added another score when Coprich scored his first career receiving touchdown for 12 yards out cutting the defect to 32-20 with just 6:39 remaining. Roberson was in the middle of a big hit, and came out for a play. ISU’s Jake Kolbe took his place, and collects his first career rushing touchdown on a 17-yard run. The Redbirds missed the two point conversion.
Richmond initiated the ground and pound game into the end zone on a 28-yard touchdown run by Green, solidifying the Spider victory at 39-27.
Richmond was led by Green’s 137 rushing yards and three scores, while Lauletta threw for 369 yards and a touchdown.
Illinois State’s Roberson rushed 36 yards and passed for 370 and a touchdown. Coprich was held to just 30 yards. Both have played their final game as a Redbird.
The Redbirds finish the season at 10-3. This loss snaps ISU’s 19-game home winning streak dating back to November 17, 2012.
Richmond improves to 10-3 on the season and will advance to play the winner of North Dakota State and Northern Iowa. Richmond would host if Northern Iowa wins, otherwise it will travel to North Dakota State.
Listen to postgame comments from head coach Brock Spack and players here.
Austin Duncan can be reached at [email protected]
