Sycamores corral Jacks, 38-28

Saturday, October 1

Brookings, S.D.

6:00 PM

South Dakota State University

1-4 , 0-2

Indiana State

4-1 , 2-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Indiana State

South Dakota State

10/1/2011 11:45:00 PM | Football

Box Score

By: SDSU Sports Info

Reigning Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week Shakir Bell ran for 199 yards and a pair of second-half touchdowns to lead 23^rd-ranked Indiana State to a 38-28 victory over South Dakota State in the 45^th Annual Beef Bowl Saturday night at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.

The Sycamores improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in league play. SDSU dropped its fourth straight game, falling to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the MVFC.

Indiana State took advantage of a Jackrabbit miscue on special teams to take an early lead. After SDSU forced the Sycamores to punt on their first possession, Brandon Gant muffed the punt and ISU's Alex Sewall fell on the loose ball at the Jackrabbit 12. The SDSU defense held firm, but Cory Little connected on a 32-yard field goal to give the Sycamores a 3-0 lead.

The Jackrabbits came right back to knot the game at 3-all on a 19-yard field goal by Kyle Harris. Despite putting together a 12-play, 65-yard drive, SDSU had to settle for the field goal after having a touchdown called back on a holding penalty on second-and-goal from the 2.

SDSU turned a Sycamore turnover into points midway through the second quarter to take its first lead of the game. Winston Wright picked off a pass at the Jackrabbit 40 and backup kicker Justin Syrovatka split the uprights from 26 yards out 12 plays later for his first collegiate field goal. A redshirt freshman, Syrovatka entered the game after starting kicker Kyle Harris was injured on his approach to the kickoff after the first Jackrabbit field goal of the game.

The Jackrabbits appeared on the verge of taking a double-digit lead after Andy Mink forced a fumble and Chris Tracy returned the ball 31 yards to the Indiana State 3. However, the Sycamore defense stuffed SDSU on two running plays and an incomplete pass on third down forced the Jackrabbits to again settle for a field goal as Syrovatka booted a 19-yarder with 6 minutes and 6 seconds remaining in the half.

The momentum began to shift in the Sycamores' favor late in the half as they marched 68 yards on 11 plays, scoring with 57 seconds left on a 6-yard pass from Ronnie Fouch to Brock Lough. The extra point was good, putting Indiana State up 10-9 heading into intermission.

Bell and the Sycamore running game asserted itself in the third quarter. Indiana State took the opening kickoff and moved 80 yards on six plays, capped by a 2-yard run by Lough. A 30-yard pass from Fouch to Alex Jones, followed by a 38-yard run by Bell set up Lough's second touchdown of the game.

SDSU's special teams unit came up with a big play midway through the third quarter to stay within striking distance. Dom Clare broke through the line and blocked a punt, giving the Jackrabbits the ball at the Sycamore 35. Redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Sumner connected with Dale Moss on a 28-yard pass play to open the drive and hooked with tight end Vince Benedetto two plays later from 4 yards out. The two-point attempt failed, leaving the score at 17-15.

Indiana State came right back with an eight-play, 72-yard touchdown drive. Bell gained 63 yards on the drive, the last 30 on a run through the left side. Bell gained 122 yards on 10 carries in the third quarter alone.

The pendulum firmly swung in the Sycamores' favor late in the third quarter. With SDSU driving in Indiana State territory, Sumner's pass was tipped by Jacolby Washington and intercepted by Jonny Towalid, who weaved his way through the Jackrabbits for a 78-yard touchdown that gave Indiana State a 31-15 lead.

The Outstanding Player of the Beef Bowl, Bell capped his night with a 4-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

SDSU closed out the scoring with a pair of rushing touchdowns later in the fourth quarter. Tyrel Kool scored from a yard out and Sumner added a 1-yard TD run at the 3:29 mark.

Sumner, making his first home start, ended the game 26-of-48 for 305 yards, helping the Jackrabbits hold a 414-399 advantage in total offense. Aaron Rollin led SDSU receivers with eight catches for 79 yards, while Dale Moss tallied six receptions for 82 yards. Kool carried the ball 22 times for 87 yards.

For Indiana State, Bell's 199 yards came on 22 carries. Lough added 41 yards on 14 carries. Fouch completed 14-of-21 passes for 168 yards, with Jones hauling in five catches for 81 yards from his tight end position.

Defensively, Skyler Luxa led SDSU with 11 tackles. Sewall and Washington each recorded 11 stops to pace Indiana State.

SDSU continues MVFC action Oct. 8 at Youngstown State (Ohio). Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. Eastern Time (3 p.m. Central) at Stambaugh Stadium.

NOTES: The all-time series is tied, 2-2 ... attendance for the 45^th Beef Bowl was 12,313 ... SDSU dropped to 25-20 in Beef Bowl games ... the Jackrabbits fell to 19-6 in home night games and 10-3 in home games against Missouri Valley Football Conference opponents ... Bell was dropped for losses on three of his first four carries in the game ... Bell has rushed for 676 yards in his last three games ... for SDSU, Moss has caught 23 passes over his last three games for 292 yards