For the second time this season, sophomore kicker Kyle Hooper was called upon to win a game, this time in the second overtime period, with the ISUs tied at 38. Hooper's 36-yard attempt sailed through the uprights, putting the finishing touches on what proved to be a wild contest. Hooper had previously booted a 20-yard field goal to give ISU its first win of the season * at Eastern Illinois, also in overtime.

The chance to win was set up by an Illinois State fumble at the Sycamores' one-yard line at the start of the second overtime. The Redbirds' Demetrus Johnson was hit by junior linebacker Doc Gooden just before he reached the end zone where junior defensive end Kyle Mitchell fell on the ball to end the 'Birds' threat. Hooper then drilled the game-winner after ISU stayed conservative, rushing three times for six yards.

Hooper also hit a 34-yard field goal in the first overtime period to put ISU up 38-35, but Illinois State kicker Stephen Carroll booted a 35-yarder of his own to tie the score at 38.

The contest was sent to overtime after the Redbirds' completed their comeback from 21 points down when Earl Newby scored on a six-yard TD run with 1:59 remaining in regulation to put Illinois State up 35-28. Sophomore Sam Logan's 58-yard touchdown pass off the arm of sophomore quarterback Phillip Johnson with 1:09 showing on the clock even the score at 35 to send it to overtime.

Johnson had a masterful day running the offense, completing 22 of 35 passes for a career-best 373 yards and three touchdowns. His effort fell a mere 18 yards short of the school record for a single game held by Jeff Miller who tossed for 391 versus Ball State in 1985. His three scoring strikes tied his previous career-best set versus Western Illinois last season.

A touchdown strike covering 27 yards from Johnson to Jaime Petrowski opened the scoring on the Sycamores first drive of the day, netting a 7-0 advantage with 8:37 left on the clock. The drive was kept alive as the Sycamores converted all five third down opportunities it faced during the possession.

The Sycamores padded the lead off the second touchdown toss of the day as Johnson hit sophomore Markus Naves on a crossing pattern who scampered untouched into the end zone for a 57-yard scoring play an a 14-0 lead.

Illinois State got things going offensively to close the first half as Newby scored from a yard away to inch the Redbirds closer at 14-7. Hooper missed a 32-yard field goal as time expired in the first half that would prove large later in the contest.

The Sycamores scored first to open the second half when Jake Shields punched the ball in from six yards out to move ISU up 21-7 with 9:16 left in third quarter. The drive came after freshman Ryan Mosely blocked an Illinois State 37-yard field goal attempt on their second possession of the quarter. Johnson hit Sam Logan on a 52 yard pass that moved the ball inside the Redbird 20.

Following a three-and-out forced by the Sycamore defense, Ryan Hoffman's punt was blocked by LaDrelle Bryant and recovered by Naves at the Illinois State five-yard line. It took three rushes by senior Sidney Montfort, but he plunged in from three-yards out to put ISU up 28-7 with 6:22 remaining in the third period.

The Redbirds got within two scores at 28-14 when Demetrus Johnson scored from 16 yards out with 21 seconds left in the third period. The comeback continued when Illinois State quarterback Yance Vaughn hit Lauren Robinson on a 14-yard touchdown pass to get within a touchdown at 28-21 with 12:30 remaining in the game.

Two-time Gateway Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year Boomer Grigsby made his presence felt on the next Sycamore possession as he stripped the ball from Jake Shields, and fellow Redbird Antwan Oliver recovered the loose ball to set up Illinois State with a short field.

The 'Birds took advantage as Johnson tied the contest at 28 with a three-yard scoring run with 7:59 left in the game.

Logan was the main beneficiary of Johnson's solid outing as he caught five passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Matt Beste likewise caught five for 47 yards, while Naves notched four receptions for 98 yards and a TD.

Montfort was the Sycamores' leading rusher with 72 yards and a score. Redshirt freshman Griff Howard recorded 14 tackles in his debut on defense, after having spent the first portion of the season on the offensive side of the ball.

For Illinois State, Johnson gained 139 yards on the ground with two scores while Newby gained only 23 yards but found paydirt twice. Senior quarterback Yance Vaughn completed 29 of 52 passes for 348 yards and a touchdown in the game. Grigsby led all players with 21 total tackles in the contest.

Indiana State has now won four games in a row for the first time since the 1996 season, and is off to their best start since a 5-1 mark in 1995. The Sycamores with their 1-0 conference record are in first place in the Gateway since opening the 1997 conference season with a win. The victory ends an eight-game GFC losing streak, and it represents their first win over Illinois State in their last seven tries.