By WJBC Staff
VERMILLION, S.D. – Despite a late fourth quarter touchdown by Christian Gibbs to bring Illinois State (3-5, 1-4 MVFC) within a field goal of South Dakota (4-3, 3-1 MVFC), the Coyotes came out on top defeating the Redbirds, 27-24 Saturday afternoon in front of 7,416 fans at the DakotaDome.
Despite the loss, the Redbird offense outgained Coyotes 474-370 and outrushed USD 233-123. Redshirt freshman running back Demarco Corbin tallied his first-career 100-plus rushing effort with 108 yards and a touchdown. Alejandro led the Redbird defense in tackles for the second time this season with eight solo tackles and 12 total tackles. Devontae Harris also had a good day recording his first career interception early in the third quarter to gain back possession for the Redbirds.
South Dakota set the tone early scoring points on each of its first quarter possessions, beginning with a 29-yard yard field goal just two minutes into the contest to nab an early, 3-0 lead. The ‘Birds answered back on their first possession overcoming two third-down situations and driving the pigskin 66 yards down the field f for a touchdown. As ISU faced third-and-six, Fowler kept the drive alive catching an 18-yarder that was followed by Robinson darting into the end zone to surge the Redbirds into the lead, 7-3. USD responded on a quick five-play, 76-yard touchdown effort that put the Coyotes back on top, 10-7. As the clock wound down in the first quarter, the Coyotes struck again to pull away from the ‘Birds at 17-7.
At the start of the second quarter, Kolbe looked to Fowler and Schnell early and often. The pair caught five receptions for 50 yards and picked up four first downs for the Redbirds. Kolbe was then picked off by USD’s Jacob Warner, who returned it 28 yards to help set up the seven-point scoring drive for the Coyotes that gave them a 24-7 advantage.
The Redbird offense came alive late in the second quarter, scoring on back-to-back drives to put 10 points on the board for ISU. Following a 44-yard field goal by Sean Slattery, the Redbird defense held strong forcing the Coyotes to punt. ISU then took advantage of good field position thanks to a 27-yard punt return from Schnell. From there, the Redbirds found success in the passing game, as Kolbe favored Fowler and Gibbs who together picked up three-first downs before Corbin easily ran the ball into the end zone from the two-yard line to narrow USD’s lead to 24-17 going into the locker room at the half.
It was a wild start to the second half, starting with Harris putting a stop to USD’s drive by intercepting Coyote quarterback Austin Simmons’ pass to allow the Redbirds to take over at their own 35-yard line. ISU’s offense then charged 59 yards down the field into the red zone before the ball was knocked free from Corbin’s arms and recovered by USD’s Tacari Carpenter. The Coyotes capitalized off the turnover, making their way downfield before being forced to kick a 39-yard field goal to extend their lead to, 27-17.
After a slow start to the fourth quarter and the ‘Birds down by 10, ISU head coach Brock Spack made the call to fake the punt and go for it on fourth-and-six. Spack’s vison came to life, as punter Reece Attard ran the ball 15 yards to easily pick up the first down. Kolbe then connected with a wide open Christian Gibbs who escaped the defenders and took off 42 yards down the sideline into the end zone to bring the ‘Birds within a field goal of the Coyotes, 27-24.
The Redbirds will return home to Hancock Stadium next Saturday to square off against nationally-ranked South Dakota State for the inaugural Spack Stash Bash. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m., with Redbird Preview at 1 p.m. on WJBC-AM 1230 and the WJBC Country Financial Illinois State Radio Network and the game set to be telecast on CSN Chicago and ESPN3.
