TERRE
HAUTE, IN (9-7-2002) — The Indiana State Sycamores scored two first half
touchdowns and let the defense hold on the rest of the way, as ISU battled to a
14-10 win over Cumberland University on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
TERRE
HAUTE, IN (9-7-2002) — The Indiana State Sycamores scored two first half
touchdowns and let the defense hold on the rest of the way, as ISU battled to a
14-10 win over Cumberland University on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
The offense came out of the gate early with a five-play, 47-yard drive that culminated with a 21-yard touchdown run by Jake Shields with 12:36 left in the first quarter.
The Sycamores were able to strike again with 13:14 left in the second quarter when Soso Dede hit paydirt on nine-yard run of his own. Dede’s score finished off a 10-play, 64-yard march for ISU.
Cumberland was able to regroup at halftime and took advantage of a Julian Reese fumble early in the second half to move the ball just 24 yards on two plays. Cumberland was able to pull with a touchdown on a Juan Champion score with 11:10 left in the third quarter to give ISU a slim 14-7 lead.
Cumberland was able to mount a 10-play, 27-yard drive late in the third stanza that ended with Matt Hutto’s 44-yard field goal. Hutto, who earlier missed a 53-yard attempt, connected on his second attempt of the contest to pull Cumberland within 14-10.
The ISU defense continued to play strong as the offense continued to put them in tough situations in the fourth quarter. All told, the ISU offense had two turnovers that put Cumberland within scoring position.
Cumberland made one last push to win the game when they went for it on fourth and eight from the ISU 48-yard line. CU’s Darnell Maclin good only get five yards as he was pushed out of bounds by Kevin McDavid.
Offensively, Julian Reese was 13-24 through the air with 126 yards. He also rushed 11 times for 43 yards in the contest. Dede recorded 46 yards on the ground to lead the Sycamores, and took the opening kickoff back 53 yards to get the ISU offense started.
On defense, the Sycamores were led by Ryan Merriwether with 13 total tackles and Richard Harris had three tackles for loss. Terrance Miles intercepted a pass and returned it 15 yards while Adam Vogel recovered a Cumberland fumble.
The Sycamores return to action when they travel to Ball State for a 1:00 p.m. contest with the Cardinals on Saturday.