 Freshman quarterback Blake Winkler completed 9 of 20 pass attempts
for 181 yards, tossing a career-high three touchdowns in the game.
Marshaun Coprich recorded his fourth straight 100-yard rushing
performance, finishing with 108 yards on a career-high 34 attempts,
while scoring a touchdown. The Redbird defense came up big for the
second consecutive week, forcing three South Dakota turnovers while
collecting two sacks and limiting USD to just 14 points.
The first drive of the game for ISU started well, as Winkler
converted a 27-yard pass on third down to Cameron Meredith to push
the ball to the Coyote 45-yard line. On the next play, Winkler was
intercepted by Dyllon Knox on a comeback route intended for Chick
Chatham. The Redbird defense responded, however, as they limited
South Dakota to a 43-yard field goal attempt, which South Dakota
kicker Miles Bergner missed wide left.
Following an exchange of punts, the Redbirds had excellent field
position after a 21-yard punt return by Anthony Warrum. On the first
play from scrimmage, Winkler found a wide-open Corey Shandrick on
the left sideline, connecting for a 33-yard touchdown pass as the
Redbirds took the early lead 7-0.
Despite being pinned inside their own 10-yard line, the Coyotes
responded with a quick 91-yard scoring drive. USD quarterback Kevin
Earl completed 4 of 5 passes for 52 yards, including a 17-yard
scramble, to lead the Coyotes down the field. Jordan Roberts capped
off the drive with a 22-yard run for a touchdown, tying the game
7-7.
At the start of the second quarter, the Redbirds were once again
given excellent field position following a short punt by USD.
Needing just three plays, Winkler connected on a third-down
touchdown pass to Phil Dudley for 43 yards, putting the Redbirds
back on top, 14-7.
Another strong stand by the ISU defense limited USD to three
plays for minus 4 yards and gave the Redbirds the ball at their own
42-yard line. A 22-yard run by Coprich on third down set up the
Redbirds at the Coyotes' 35-yard line. After a sack and a 3-yard run
by Coprich, Winkler connected with Scott Kuehn for a 35-yard
touchdown pass, extending ISU's lead to 21-7.
[to top of second column] |
Following an exchange of punts to start the third quarter, the Redbird
defense delivered another gift for the offense. Matt Goldsmith forced
and recovered a fumble by Nick Meyer on a 7-yard completion at the
Coyotes' 27-yard line, giving the offense excellent field position. The
scoring drive lasted only one play, as Coprich scampered 27 yards to pay
dirt to extend the lead to 28-7.
At the end of the third quarter and carrying over into the
fourth, USD ended a scoring drought with a five-play, 53-yard
touchdown-scoring drive that lasted just 1 minute and 53
seconds. Earl connected on a 31-yard pass to Tyler Wilhelm to
move the ball to the ISU 22-yard line. Another long pass by
Earl, this time a 17-yard connection to Josh Vander Maten, set
up a first-and-goal at the ISU 4-yard line. After a short run,
Earl hit Terrance Terry for a 2-yard touchdown pass, cutting the
Redbirds' lead to 28-14.
After an ISU fumble recovered by USD at the Redbird 47-yard line,
Bradon Prate came up with a defensive stop for ISU. On fourth down,
Prate came up with his first career interception, nabbing a
deflected pass by Earl and returning it 43 yards to the South Dakota
21-yard line.
The Coyotes got the ball back after the Redbirds turned it over
on downs with just over 2 minutes left on the clock. Using a
hurry-up offense, Earl completed 5 of 6 pass attempts to drive the
Coyotes to the ISU 3-yard line. On second down and goal-to-go, Mike
Banks came up with his second interception of the season, picking
off Earl in the end zone to effectively end the game and secure the
victory.
The Redbirds wrap up a three-game home stand next Saturday, when
they host the University of Northern Iowa in the home finale on
Senior Day at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Comcast
SportsNet Chicago, with Kurt Pegler and Boomer Grigsby on the call.
___
ISU-South Dakota stats
ISU-South Dakota notes
[Text from
news release received from
Illinois State University] |
