Jackrabbits drop league opener at Illinois State

Saturday, October 4

Normal, Ill.

2 p.m.

South Dakota State University

3-2 , 0-1

Illinois State

4-0 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

South Dakota State

Illinois State

10/4/2014 6:47:00 PM | Football

Box Score

By: SDSU Sports Info

NORMAL, Ill. — Marshaun Coprich rushed for 174 yards and four touchdowns, and quarterback Tre Roberson topped the century mark in both rushing and passing, leading 22^nd-ranked Illinois State to a 45-10 victory over ninth-ranked South Dakota State Saturday afternoon at Hancock Stadium.

In the Missouri Valley Football Conference for both teams, the Redbirds improved to 4-0 overall. SDSU dropped to 3-2 overall.

The Redbirds converted three first-quarter turnovers into 21 points, setting the tone in the first 15 minutes. One play after the Jackrabbits lost a fumble, Coprich scored from 32 yards out to open the scoring with 9 minutes, 18 seconds to play in the opening quarter. A fumble on a handoff exchange on SDSU's next offensive play deep in its own territory led to Illinois State's second touchdown a minute and 25 seconds later as Coprich scored from a yard out.

The Jackrabbits' third turnover of the quarter was an interception by Oshay Dunmore at the Illinois State 10-yard line. The Redbirds then marched 90 yards on 11 plays, building the lead to 21-0 in the closing seconds of the first quarter as Coprich scored from a yard out.

Illinois State pushed the margin to 24-0 on a 25-yard field goal by Nick Aussieker early in the second quarter before the Jackrabbits finally cracked the scoring column. Justin Syrovatka's 22-yard field goal with 2:09 to play in the half finished off a 15-play, 76-yard drive for the Jackrabbits.

Any hopes of a Jackrabbit comeback were dashed on the ensuing kickoff as Tevin Allen went down the left sideline for a 95-yard touchdown return. After forcing a Jackrabbit three-and-out, the Redbirds delivered the knockout punch with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Roberson to Cameron Meredith with 20 seconds remaining in the first half to push the margin to 38-3.

The two squads traded third-quarter touchdowns to close out the scoring. Coprich scored his fourth and final TD of the game on a 5-yard run, while the last Jackrabbit score came on a 26-yard pass from Zach Lujan to Jake Wieneke.

Walter Payton Award candidate Zach Zenner posted his fifth consecutive 100-yard game and 26^th of his career, carrying the ball 27 times for 144 yards. Wieneke led the Jackrabbit receiving corps with seven catches for 116 yards, with Jason Schneider adding six receptions for 79 yards. Lujan ended the day 20-of-40 passing for 294 yards.

Illinois State, which rolled up 331 rushing yards, was led by Coprich with 24 carries for 174 yards. Roberson carried the ball 14 times for 151 yards and completed 7-of-19 passes for 168 yards. Lechein Neblett caught four passes for 91 yards to lead the Redbird receivers.

Defensively, SDSU was led by Illinois natives T.J. Lally and Jesse Bobbit with seven tackles each. Teddy Corwin and Pat Meehan each tallied a game-high 12 tackles for Illinois State.

The Jackrabbits return to action Oct. 11, hosting Missouri State in the annual Hall of Fame Game. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium. A dedication ceremony for the new Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex precedes the game at 3 p.m.

NOTES: Illinois State leads the all-time series, 3-2, and has won the last three meetings … the two teams had not played since 2011 … the 45 points allowed by the Jackrabbits were the most surrendered to a Missouri Valley Football Conference opponent since joining the league in 2008, with the previous high 41 at Indiana State in 2010 … Wieneke posted his second 100-yard receiving game this season … Schneider moved into 10^th place on the SDSU career charts for receiving yards with 1,797, passing former teammate Brandon Hubert (1,766 yards from 2010-13) … Zenner moved up two spots to 16^th on the Football Championship Subdivision career rushing charts, ending the day with 5,318 yards … Zenner also moved into 16^th in FCS career all-purpose yards with 6,703 as he added two receptions for 12 yards … the game was played before an Illinois State homecoming crowd of 10,919