McLean County Times

In a matchup between two top-ranked FCS football programs, Illinois State University’s Redbirds narrowly trailed North Dakota State University at the start of the fourth quarter but ultimately fell 33-16. The game took place Saturday night at Jay and Lori Bergman Field at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.

The Redbirds opened the scoring with a safety early in the first quarter when Tye Niekamp tackled an NDSU ball carrier in the end zone after a punt was downed at the one-yard line. North Dakota State responded later in the quarter as Cole Payton ran for a 13-yard touchdown.

Illinois State regained momentum in the second quarter with Wenkers Wright’s six-yard rushing touchdown, capping a 65-yard drive. However, North Dakota State reclaimed the lead before halftime with Barika Kpeenu’s 42-yard run and a successful two-point conversion by Payton.

After halftime, NDSU extended their advantage to 18-9 with a field goal from Eli Ozick. The Redbirds answered with Tommy Rittenhouse connecting on a three-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Sobkowicz, reducing the deficit to two points late in the third quarter.

North Dakota State then scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, including a 23-yard touchdown pass from Payton to Bryce Lance and a five-yard rushing score by DJ Scott, securing their fifth consecutive win this season.

Game notes indicate that "the safety for the Redbirds was their first since 2018, when they got one against Saint Xavier." Wenkers Wright recorded his fifth rushing touchdown of the season and his fifth over three games. Daniel Sobkowicz caught his sixth touchdown of the year and is now one short of tying for third place on Illinois State’s all-time receiving touchdowns list. Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse threw only his second interception this season during the fourth quarter. Defensively, Shadwel Nkuba II led Illinois State with seven tackles; Patrick Bauer contributed four tackles along with one sack and 1.5 tackles-for-loss.

Looking ahead, Illinois State will play Murray State next Saturday at Roy Stewart Stadium in Kentucky for their second Missouri Valley Football Conference contest.

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