CARBONDALE,
IL (11-9-2002) - Not only will the
Indiana State Sycamores have the chance to go for its first perfect home season
since the mid-80’s next Saturday when they host Illinois State, but by virtue
of its first road win of the year against the Salukis, the Sycamores will have a
chance to go .500 for a season. While Indiana State beat Southern Illinois for
the ninth straight time, the Sycamores also won for the first time in their last
eight road contests.
With a stiff wind at their backs, the Sycamores pounced on the Salukis early in Saturday's contest by scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter. The Sycamores were able to score on a quick four play, 41-yard drive that took 1:53 off the clock when Julian Reese hit Ryan King on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 11:33 left in the first period to give the Sycamores the early 7-0 lead.
The Sycamores next drive took nine plays and covered 44 yards, culminating with Jake Shields' three-yard touchdown run with 6:47 left in the first stanza, putting ISU up, 14-0. Indiana State was not done, as quarterback Julian Reese scored from two yards out to take a 21-0 lead with just five seconds left in the first quarter. The scoring drive covered 91 yards in nine plays, taking 3:20 off the clock. All three Sycamore scores in the first quarter came as the result of Indiana State's defensive unit holding Southern Illinois to three downs and a punt.
Southern Illinois attempted to get back into the contest in the second quarter when Joel Sambursky caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Robinson to make the score 21-7 with 4:43 left before the half. The Salukis added their final score on a one-yard Robinson touchdown run with 5:48 left in the game to make it 21-14.
Southern Illinois got the ball back late in the contest but Sycamore linebacker Ryan Merriweather secured the win with an interception.
All told, the Indiana State defense forced three Saluki turnovers (two interceptions and one fumble), while the Sycamores did not turn the ball over at all.
Indiana State concludes the 2002 campaign next
weekend at home against Illinois State. The Sycamores will be looking to have
their first non-losing season since 1996, post a winning record in the Gateway
Football Conference and have a perfect home season.