Redbirds defeat UNI 13-3, finish undefeated at home in 2013

[November 04, 2013]  NORMAL -- Fans who braved a windy fall afternoon Saturday at newly renovated Hancock Stadium were treated with a victory, as Illinois State (5-4, 4-2 MVFC) defeated Northern Iowa (4-5, 0-5 MVFC) 13-3 on Senior Day. The Redbirds finished the season 5-0, marking the first undefeated slate at Hancock Stadium since 1999.

Linebacker Pat Meehan paced a stifling Redbird effort on defense with a career-high and team-best 11 tackles. Tevin Allen and Colton Underwood added eight tackles each, and Allen chipped in a tackle for loss and an interception.

The defensive unit forced a total of eight punts and allowed a season-low three points. The three points allowed by the ISU defense marked the first time Illinois State did not allow a touchdown since a 23-3 win at Western Illinois on Sept. 22, 2012.

To lead the rushing attack, Blake Winkler completed 11 of 23 pass attempts for 91 yards and did not commit a turnover on offense, and Marshaun Coprich tallied 81 yards on 32 attempts. Nick Aussieker connected on field goal attempts of 24 yards and 28 yards and converted his only point-after attempt.

The Redbirds and Panthers exchanged punts on both of their first drives. Teddy Corwin's blocked punt on Northern Iowa's second drive of the game led to a 24-yard field goal from Aussieker, giving the Redbirds an early 3-0 lead . The Redbirds then scored their first defensive touchdown of the season on a scoop-and-score fumble recovery by Allen, who ran it back for a 17-yard touchdown to give the Redbirds a 10-0 edge.

After an injury to UNI starting quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen as the second quarter came to an end, Nebraska transfer Brion Carnes took over for the Panthers, but struggled, finishing 4 for 14 for just 20 yards. The Panthers jumped on the board following a blocked punt at the Illinois State 22-yard line. Kicker Tyler Sieversten connected on a 37-yard field goal attempt, cutting the Redbird lead to 10-3 with 4:49 to play in the third quarter.

Illinois State capped the scoring with a 28-yard field goal by Aussieker, ending an eight-drive scoring drought for Illinois State. Punter CJ Laros pinned a fourth-quarter punt at the Northern Iowa 1-yard line when Allen downed the ball, and the Illinois State defense forced a three-and-out to secure the win.

The Redbirds will travel to Fargo, N.D., next Saturday to take on top-ranked North Dakota State. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. CT, with the game being broadcast live on Fox College Sports and Fox Sports North.

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ISU-UNI stats  (PDF)

ISU notes  (PDF)

[Text from news release received from Illinois State University]