Redbirds rout Butler in season opener

Posted on September 2, 2017
Brock Spack is now 9-0 in home openers as Illinois State head football coach. (WJBC file photo)

By Greg Halbleib

NORMAL – Illinois State football scored for the first time in the first seconds of the second quarter, but never took their foot off the throttle afterwards for a 45-0 season-opening win on Saturday night at Hancock Stadium.

PODCAST: Listen here to the post-game interviews with coach Brock Spack, defensive end James Graham and quarterback Jake Kolbe.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Redbirds took a 17-0 into the halftime intermission thanks to a 9-yard run by James Robinson, a 20-yard connection from Jake Kolbe to Christian Gibbs and a 40-yard field goal by Sean Slattery.

Kolbe connected with Gibbs for a 16-yard scoring pass midway through the third quarter followed by a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown by Mitchell Brees seconds later. A 16-yard rushing score by Markel Smith put the Redbirds ahead 38-0 after three periods. A spectacular tackle-hurdling run of 26 yards by Jordan Birch accounted for the remaining score.

Kolbe was 18-of-29 for 194 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Smith led the ISU rushing attack with 10 carries for 88 yards and one touchdown.

The Redbirds have a bye week before returning to action on Sept. 16 at Eastern Illinois.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].

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