Sycamores can't convert early Redbirds mistakes, fall 38-3 in season finale

NORMAL, IL - (11-15-2003) — The Indiana State Sycamores (3-9, 0-7 Gateway) ended their 2003 season with a disappointing 38-3 loss to conference rival Illinois State (6-6, 3-4 Gateway) on a rainy Saturday afternoon in front of 5,491 fans at Hancock Field. Indiana State’s Kris Karagory took advantage of a starting opportunity to record his first 100-yard rushing game of the season, finishing with 132 on the ground.

After going three and out on their first offensive series, the Sycamores allowed the Redbirds to drive down to the ISU four-yard line, where redshirt freshman Rashawn Champion recorded his second interception of the season and was ruled down in the endzone for a touchback.

On the ensuing play from scrimmage, Sycamore quarterback Phillip Johnson threw an interception of his own as Redbird senior Cerone Colvin made a pick to give Illinois State the ball in Sycamore territory. The Indiana State defense stood tall once again allowing the Redbirds to drive down the five-yard line where Stephen Carroll drilled a 22-yard field goal to cap an eight-play, 28-yard drive that covered 3:07 to give the Redbirds a 3-0 lead with 7:00 left in the first quarter.

It appeared that the Sycamores would fall further down to the Redbirds but Russell Coleman forced a Mike Souza fumble and recovered it himself within the final minute of the first quarter to give ISU possession at their own 21-yard line.

After a punt gave Illinois State possession near the 50-yard line, the Redbirds were able to find the endzone for the first time of the game when Souza found Dwayne Smith for a seven-yard touchdown, his sixth of the season. The play capped a five-play, 52-yard drive that took up 1:05 of the clock and made the score 10-0 Illinois State with 8:42 left in the first half.

Indiana State’s second field goal attempt of the game was good as freshman Kyle Hooper connected on a 34-yard field goal with 2:50 left before the break to move ISU closer to the Redbirds at 10-3. The scoring drive covered 64 yards in eight plays and took up 3 minutes of the clock.

The Redbirds looked poised to move the ball down the field as time wound down in the first half and their efforts were helped by two Indiana State facemask penalties that helped move the ball down the field. But a Kyle Mitchell sack, his eighth of the season, and an open field tackle by Kevin McDavid on third and four as Illinois State inched inside Sycamore territory forced the Redbird punt where the Sycamores ran out the first half clock. Illinois State went into the locker room with a 10-3 lead over the Sycamores.

Illinois State came out of the gate strong in the second half as Sha-Ron Edwards punched the ball in from two yards out to cap a nine-play, 73-yard drive that took up 3:22 of the clock. With the score, Illinois State upped its lead to 17-3 with 11:32 left in the third quarter.

Indiana State came right back with a drive of their own including a 26-yard scamper by Karagory in which he eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time this season. The drive ended at the Illinois State 33-yard line where Kyle Hooper came in and attempted a 49-yard field goal which was short.

The missed field goal gave the Redbirds good field position and long pass from Souza to Smith helped move the ball down the field where Edwards scored his second touchdown of the day – a 22-yard run – to give Illinois State a 24-3 lead with 7:52 left in the third quarter. The Redbird scoring drive was a quick three-play, 67-yard drive that took up 1 minute and five seconds.

The Redbirds tacked on another seven points when Josh Chrestman sacked Johnson and forced a fumble where Andrew Papoccia scooped up the ball and ran it back 18 yards for a touchdown to give Illinois State a 31-3 lead with 25 seconds left in the third stanza. It was the second week in a row that a Sycamore fumble was picked up and returned for a touchdown.

Souza went on to complete a 29-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mike Larson with 11:32 left in the game to stretch the Redbird advantage to 38-3.

Indiana State’s Champion came down with his second interception of the game, his third of the season with 6:48 left in the game to give the Sycamores another possession.

Scoring Summary:

1st 07:00 ILS - CARROLL,Stephen 22 yd field goal, 8-28 3:07, ISU 0 - ILS 3

2nd 08:42 ILS - SMITH,Dwayne 7 yd pass from SOUZA,Mike (CARROLL,Stephen kick), 5-52 1:05, ISU 0 - ILS 10

02:50 ISU - Hooper, K. 34 yd field goal, 8-64 3:00, ISU 3 - ILS 10

3rd 11:32 ILS - EDWARDS,Sha-Ron 2 yd run (CARROLL,Stephen kick), 9-73 3:22, ISU 3 - ILS 17

07:52 ILS - EDWARDS,Sha-Ron 22 yd run (CARROLL,Stephen kick), 3-67 1:05, ISU 3 - ILS 24

00:25 ILS - PAPOCCIA,Andrew 18 yd fumble recovery (CARROLL,Stephen kick), ISU 3 - ILS 31

4th 11:32 ILS - LARSON,Mike 29 yd pass from SOUZA,Mike (CARROLL,Stephen kick), 8-79 3:21, ISU 3 - ILS 38

The Illinois State game was the final contest for the Sycamores in the 2003 season. They finished with wins over Florida International, Murray State and Eastern Illinois.

USA-365.com will continue to provides live Internet audio streaming through the winter sports schedule covering ISU men's basketball with Brian Fritz providing the play-by-play and Jim Waugh with the color commentary. The Sycamores host the Knox Raiders of Australia in their final exhibition of the pre-season Monday, November 17 with a 6:05 p.m.. CST tip-off. The pre-game show starts at 5:40 p.m., CST / 6:40 p.m., EST on www.USA-365.com.

USA-365.com will continue to host the audio archives of the last 11 Indiana State University Football games from 2003. The MP3 audio file downloads are now free at ISU Football MP3 Audio Archives.

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