McLean County Times

NORMAL, Ill. – On the first drive of the game, Eastern Illinois was on the Illinois State one-yard line looking to score, but a recovered fumble at the goal line led to three-straight scoring drives for the No. 15 ranked Redbirds (3-1), who secured a 31-7 win over the Panthers on Saturday night at Hancock Stadium in the 112th Mid-America Classic.

How It Happened:

• The Redbirds took an early lead with a flea flicker pass from Wenkers Wright to Tommy Rittenhouse, who found Daniel Sobkowicz wide open in the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 2:34 left in the first quarter. The play capped off a 98-yard scoring drive after the Redbirds recovered a fumble as EIU was heading into the end zone.

• Just under two minutes later, ISU extended its lead to 14-0 on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Rittenhouse to Xavier Loyd with just 39 seconds left on the clock in the first quarter.

• ISU made it a three-touchdown lead early in the second quarter as Rittenhouse connected with Sobkowicz again for a score from five yards out, capping off an 81-yard scoring drive that made it 21-0 with 9:07 left in the second quarter.

• EIU got on the scoreboard with just under two minutes left before halftime when MJ Flowers bowled his way into the endzone from four yards out to cut ISU's lead to 21-7 at halftime.

• A 28-yard field goal by Ian Wagner extended ISU's advantage to 24-7 on their first drive of the second half.

• A one-yard touchdown run by Wright with 12:28 left in the game widened ISU's lead to 31-7, which remained until they closed out their rivalry win over EIU.

Game Notes:

• With this win, ISU regained ownership of the Mid-America Classic Trophy and has now won six of their last seven contests against EIU. The victory also moved ISU head coach Brock Spack's record to 10-5 against his former employer.

• Wright rushed for a game-high of 150 yards, marking his third consecutive game with over 100 yards on the ground.

• Sobkowicz had his best game of the season coming back from injury, catching seven passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns from Rittenhouse.

• Loyd caught his second touchdown in as many weeks from Rittenhouse and finished with seven catches for 75 yards.

• Outside linebacker Patrick Bauer recorded his first career sack during this game, while Steven Curtis recorded his second sack of this year.

• Keondre Jackson tallied his first interception of this season off a tipped pass, while Mark Cannon Jr. added his second interception of this year on a diving attempt.

Next Up:

The Redbirds will host No.2 ranked North Dakota State (3-1) for their Missouri Valley Football Conference opener as part of Homecoming week at Illinois State. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at Hancock Stadium at 2 p.m.

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