 The win was the first for the Redbirds at the UNI Dome since 2002
and only the team's third in 14 tries in Cedar Falls, Iowa. ISU's
7-2 start is its best since 2006, when the Redbirds opened the
season 8-2.On third-and-9 from the Northern Iowa 49-yard line,
Brown evaded multiple tackles before scrambling right and connecting
with a wide-open O'Shaughnessy on the touchdown play. It was the
longest reception of O'Shaughnessy's career and marked his first
touchdown catch of the season.
Brown finished the game 22 for 27 for 274 yards, with two
touchdowns and two interceptions. Tyrone Walker led all receivers
with seven receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown. Walker finished
the game with 3,038 career reception yards, passing Laurént Robinson
(3,007) for the most career receiving yards in program history.
Cameron Hunt led the running backs with 12 carries for 56 yards with
one touchdown, and Darrelynn Dunn had 11 carries for 29 yards with
one score.
The Illinois State defense forced four turnovers, including Nate
Palmer's sack and forced fumble in the closing minute of the game.
For the third time this season, the Redbirds tallied three
interceptions in one game, as Rickey Simpson, Mike Banks and Ben
Eriksen each had takeaways. Illinois State now has 13 interceptions
on the season, after registering only three all of last year. Mike
Zimmer led the team with nine tackles, and Shelby Harris tallied two
sacks and recovered the fumble that sealed the victory.
Leading 19-14, Eriksen's midfield interception and 47-yard return
to the UNI 3-yard line opened the tense fourth quarter. It marked
Eriksen's team-leading sixth interception of the season. Three plays
later, Dunn leapt into the end zone to give Illinois State a 26-14
lead with 10:43 to play.
Northern Iowa responded quickly, as quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen
connected with Sam Rohr on a 34-yard pass on the first play from
scrimmage. David Johnson carried the ball twice, scoring on a 5-yard
rush to make it 26-21 in favor of Illinois State with just under 10
minutes to play. Kollmorgen finished the game 20 for 48 for 218
yards with one passing touchdown and three interceptions.
The Panthers ensuing kickoff sailed out of bounds, and a personal
foul penalty gave the Redbirds first down from the 50-yard line.
Completed passes to Phil Dudley and Walker, coupled with an illegal
blocking penalty, set up Brown's game-clinching pass to
O'Shaughnessy. The Illinois State offense finished with 397 yards of
total offense in the victory.
[to top of second column] |
Illinois State jumped out to a 19-0 lead in the opening half and
never trailed in the game. On their first possession, Brown
completed all five of his pass attempts, as the Redbirds covered 70
yards on nine plays. Cameron Hunt's 19-yard rush capped off the
drive and put Illinois State in front 7-0.
After forcing a quick three-and-out, the Redbirds struck again,
covering 80 yards on 11 plays. Dunn, Marshaun Coprich and Nick
Bellamy all had carries, with Coprich breaking a 27-yard rush from
midfield. On fourth-and-1 from the one, Brown dove over the
defensive line for the score. Nick Aussieker's extra point was
blocked, making it 13-0 with 2:54 to go in the opening quarter.
Both teams exchanged possessions before Patrick Wright's punt
attempt was blocked deep in Redbird territory. UNI took over at the
Redbird 16-yard line, and three plays later, Simpson tallied his
first career interception, catching a ball that was deflected by
Zimmer. On the first play from scrimmage, Brown found Walker for a
72-yard touchdown completion, putting ISU ahead 19-0. Aussieker's
extra point sailed wide right.
UNI would add two quick scores going into halftime. Kollmorgen's
6-yard rush touchdown put the Panthers on the board. Varmah Sonie
would intercept Brown on ISU's next possession. Eight plays and one
pass interference penalty later, Kollmorgen found Chad Owens on a
2-yard touchdown reception, making it 19-14 going into halftime.
Both teams exchanged interceptions to open the second half.
Brown's second pass of the half was intercepted by Wilmot
Wellington. Three plays later, Banks intercepted Kollmorgen's pass
and returned the ball to the Northern Iowa 28-yard line. Missed
field goals from Nick Aussieker and Tyler Sievertsen kept the score
tied at 19-14 going into the fourth quarter.
The Redbirds remain on the road and travel to Indiana State for a
Missouri Valley Football Conference tilt Saturday, Nov. 3, in Terre
Haute, Ind. Kickoff is slated for 1:05 p.m., and the game will be
broadcast live on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
___
Scoring
[Text from
news release received from
Illinois State University] |
