Jackrabbits falter at Illinois State

Saturday, October 29

Normal, Ill.

2 p.m.

South Dakota State University

5-3 , 4-1

Illinois State

4-5 , 2-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

South Dakota State

Illinois State

Photo by: Inertia Sports Media/Dave Eggen

10/29/2016 6:34:00 PM | Football

Box Score

NORMAL, Ill. – South Dakota State found itself in an early hole in its game Saturday afternoon and couldn't climb out as the Jackrabbits fell into a tie for first place in the Missouri Valley Football Conference with a 38-21 defeat at the hands of Illinois State.

The Jackrabbits, ranked seventh in the STATS media poll and 10^th by the Football Championship Subdivision coaches, fell to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in league play. Illinois State improved to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the MVFC.

Illinois State scored on each of its first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead 10 minutes into the game. Jamal Towns ran 31 yards on the first play from scrimmage and quarterback Jake Kolbe carried the ball in from 18 yards out three plays later only 1 minute and 47 seconds into the contest.
After the Jackrabbits were stopped short on fourth-and-1 on their opening drive, the Redbirds put together an 11-play, 57-yard drive that ended on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Kolbe to Anthony Warrum.

SDSU came up empty again on its next possession, missing a 52-yard field goal, but the Jackrabbits cut the margin to 14-7 midway through the second quarter on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Taryn Christion to Jake Wieneke.

Illinois State responded with two more second-quarter touchdowns sandwiched around a 2-yard run by Christion to grab a 28-14 halftime lead. Towns scored on a 14-yard run around right end and Warrum caught his second touchdown of the first half, a 21-yarder in the back right corner of the end zone with 35 seconds remaining.

The Jackrabbits gained some momentum in the third quarter, taking the second-half kickoff and moving 75 yards on six plays. Wieneke, who became the Jackrabbits' career receiving yardage leader, capped the drive with a 30-yard touchdown reception. It was his 41^st career touchdown reception, tying him with former Northern Iowa standout Dedric Ward for the MVFC all-time lead.

It would be the final score for the Jackrabbits, who were plagued by a season-high eight penalties for 90 yards and missed opportunities in the red zone.

SDSU appeared poised to tie the game moments after Wieneke's second touchdown as Cole Langer forced a fumble that was recovered by Kellen Soulek at the Illinois State 21. However, the ensuing drive stalled and the Jackrabbits' attempt at a fake field goal failed instead of opting to kick a 45-yarder.

All three of the Jackrabbits' fourth quarter drives ended in interceptions in Redbird territory, including one that La'Darius Newbold returned 92 yards for a touchdown.
Christion attempted a school-record 63 passes, completing 33 for 430 yards as SDSU held a 513-347 advantage in total offense. Dallas Goedert caught 11 passes for 118 yards, while Wieneke finished with 10 receptions for 173 yards.

For Illinois State, Towns carried 17 times for a game-high 136 yards. Kolbe completed 15-of-25 passes for 138 yards, with Warrum tallying five catches for 46 yards and Christian Gibbs adding five receptions for 43 yards.

DraShane Glass, who recorded the first Illinois State interception, tallied a game-high 11 tackles. Christian Rozeboom led SDSU with nine stops.

NEXT UP
The Jackrabbits host Missouri State on Nov. 5 in the annual Hall of Fame and Dairy Drive game. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

NOTES
* Illinois State leads the all-time series, 4-3
* Wieneke recorded his 21^st career 100-yard game and ended the day with 3,785 career receiving yards
* Goedert reached the 100-yard mark for the sixth consecutive game
* Christion moved into third place in single-season touchdown passes with 26
* Attendance was 7,595 at Hancock Stadium