By: Austin Duncan
CHARLESTON, Ill- The Illinois State Redbirds (2-1) needed overtime but were able to take down Eastern Illinois 34-31 and maintain the Mid-America Classic Trophy in the two team’s 104th meeting.
The Panthers struck first in this back and forth affair with a 23 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jalen Whitlow to Anthony Taylor at the 10:59 mark of the first quarter.
The Redbirds did not hesitate, collected two straight scores. A 50 yard field goal from Sean Slattery, and a 5 yard run by Marshaun Coprich gave the Redbirds a 10-7 lead in the first quarter.
EIU answered quickly with a five yard run by Devin Church to give the Panthers a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
ISU rattled off 10 straight points and were trying to put more points on the board before going into the locker room for halftime. EIU’s Seth McDonald was having none of that as he took a pass from ISU quarterback Tre Roberson to the house making the halftime score 24-21.
Both offenses became stagnant in the third quarter registering zero points between the teams.
The Redbirds scored seven fourth quarter points, while Eastern collected 10. EIU had a chance to win it in regulation. EIU’s Nick Bruno missed the potential game winning field goal from 31 yards out.
ISU took a knee to send the game to overtime.
The Redbirds won the overtime coin toss and elected to defend first. On the second play from scrimmage, Alex Kocuor forced a fumble and ISU recovered to gain possession. The Redbirds used their first three plays to better possession the ball to set up a field goal for kicker, Sean Slattery.
Slattery sent the 31 yard field goal through the uprights, giving the Redbirds the win.
Marshaun Coprich paced the Redbirds with 178 yards and two touchdowns. Coprich now holds the record for touchdowns in a career by a Redbird.
Quarterback Tre Roberson threw for 204 yards, and collected two touchdowns, one on the ground and one in the air.
The Redbirds return to action for their Missouri Valley Football Conference opener on October 3 when Northern Iowa comes to Hancock Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
Listen to Brock Spack, David Perkins, Sean Slattery, and Marshaun Coprich postgame comments here.
