Redbird football wins season finale

Posted on November 17, 2018
Illinois State secured its ninth winning season in the 10 years under head coach Brock Spack. (GoRedbirds.com)

By Greg Halbleib

NORMAL – Illinois State football relinquished an early lead but came from behind to score a 35-28 win over Youngstown State on Saturday at Hancock Stadium.

The Redbirds (6-5, 3-5 Missouri Valley Football Conference) were led by 256 yards rushing from James Robinson, third-most in ISU history. Zackary Mathews led the Redbird defense with nine tacks while Luther Kirk and Mitchell Brees recorded interceptions. Jason Harris had five tackles and forced two fumbles.

Illinois State took a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter, but Youngstown State (4-7, 3-5) cut the margin to 14-13 at halftime. The Penguins tied the contest at 21-21 late in the third quarter and took their only lead of the game at 28-21 early in the fourth quarter. Redbird true freshman Kevin Brown scored two rushing touchdowns to give the Redbirds the lead and the final score with 5:47 remaining.

Saturday scores: 

College Football–
Illinois State 35, Youngstown State 28
Iowa 63, Illinois 0
UW-Whitewater 67, Eureka 14 (NCAA DIvision III First Round)

High School Football–
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 14, Eastland-Pearl City 7 (Class 2A Semifinals)
GCMS plays Maroa-Forsyth in Class 2A title game Fri. 1 p.m. at Champaign
Monticello 40, Carlinville 14 (Class 3A Semifinals)
Monticello plays Byron in Class 3A title game Fri. 4 p.m. at Champaign

Women’s College Basketball–
Eastern Michigan 50, Illinois State 41
Illinois Wesleyan 66, Cornell 52

Men’s College Basketball–
Illinois Wesleyan 86, Alma 81

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected]. 

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