McLean County Times

Illinois State University’s football team, ranked No. 7 nationally, secured a 41-13 victory over Morehead State in their home opener at Hancock Stadium on Saturday night. The game drew a crowd of 9,671.

Morehead State started strong with a touchdown by Craig Cunningham after an extended drive but missed the extra point. Illinois State responded late in the first quarter with a 27-yard field goal from Matt Maldonado.

In the second quarter, Daniel Sobkowicz caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Beckham Pellant, giving ISU its first lead. Later, Tommy Rittenhouse added another Redbird touchdown on a short run set up by a long pass from Sobkowicz to Luke Mailander.

Maldonado kicked his career-long field goal of 45 yards in the third quarter before Mailander caught his first career touchdown reception at ISU—a 32-yard connection with Rittenhouse. Morehead State managed to score early in the fourth quarter through Montez Green’s reception but could not close the gap further.

ISU expanded its lead when Rittenhouse threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Nick True—his first catch and score as a Redbird. The final points came from defense: Solomon Oduma forced a fumble that Cam Wilson returned for a touchdown.

Head coach Brock Spack’s tenure continued its streak of defensive touchdowns each season, now spanning all 17 years under his leadership.

Among individual highlights:

- Pellant completed four of nine passes for 61 yards and one touchdown in his debut start as quarterback.

- Sobkowicz moved into fourth place for career receiving touchdowns (23) and fifth all-time for receiving yards at ISU (2,502).

- Shadwel Nkuba II recorded his second interception this season.

- Transfer safety La'Shavion Brown led with eight tackles; Patrick Bauer followed with seven tackles including one sack.

- Maldonado remains perfect on field goals this season (3-for-3).

Next week, Illinois State will face Eastern Illinois Panthers in Charleston during the Mid-America Classic rivalry game.