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Redbird Offense Puts a Leash on the Bulldogs, 56-19
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[SEPT. 12, 2005]
NORMAL,
IL.— The Illinois State offense put on a show in its first home game
of the season, amassing 617 total yards of offense against Drake in
front of 8,188 at Hancock Stadium Saturday night. The win was the
fifth in a row for the Redbirds (1-1) over the Bulldogs (0-2).
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Illinois State led at the half 29-19, with both
teams scoring more points in the first half than they did in their
first games of the year. Drake got on the scoreboard first with a
15-yard touchdown pass from Connor Jostes to Shea Moroni on its
third possession of the game. However, the Redbirds blocked the
ensuing extra point attempt and returned it 94 yards for the
two-point conversion, making the score 6-2 with 8:05 left in the
first quarter.
After trading scores throughout the first quarter and into the
second, Illinois State broke the game open for good when quarterback
Luke Drone connected with Laurént Robinson for an 88-yard touchdown
pass in the second quarter, bringing the score to 26-12. However,
Drake put together a two-play, 52-yard drive in 25 seconds to bring
the score closer at 26-19.
Illinois State continued the scoring barrage in the second half,
scoring four touchdowns while shutting out Drake. The first
touchdown of the half came way of Robinson’s third touchdown catch
of the day from Drone, bringing the score to 35-19. Jason Horton’s
second touchdown of the game was the Redbirds’ second of the half
and Rafael Rice added the third, the first rushing touchdown of his
career. Freshman Ansu Kpandeyenge capped off the Redbird scoring
with a 68-yard run in the fourth quarter, bringing the final score
to 56-19.
Drone finished the day 23-of-37, with 342 yards and five touchdowns
and became the third player in Redbird history to pass for five
scores, joining Kevin Glenn and Dusty Burk. Robinson caught nine
catches for 161 yards and Horton added four catches for 51 yards and
two scores for the Redbirds.
Illinois State returns to action next weekend when it travels to
Charleston, Ill., to battle the Panthers of Eastern Illinois.
Kickoff is schedule for 6:05 p.m. at O’Brien Stadium.
[News release]
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