TERRE
HAUTE, IN (10-12-2002) — For the second-consecutive home game in a row, it
took overtime to decide the games' outcome. And for the second straight
time, it was the Sycamores who came away victorious. This time, Indiana State
claimed a 23-20 win over Gateway Conference rival SMS with a 10-yard touchdown
scamper by Soso Dede in the overtime period.
The Sycamores are now 3-4 overall and 1-1 in Gateway Conference action while the Bears fall to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the Gateway.
Indiana State got off to a shaky start en route to its second consecutive win over the Bears when, after a three-and-out by the Sycamore offense, ISU’s Pat Jordan lined up to punt. The Bears' Tim Meyer broke through the line to block the punt and Zach Dechant fell onto the ball in the endzone for a touchdown and a quick 7-0 lead.
The Sycamores next drive also ended with a punt, but this time it was the Sycamores turn to display some special teams play. The Bears’ return man, Anthony Sullivan, muffed the punt at his own nine-yard line and the ball was recovered by ISU’s Robin Johnson at the SMS 12. It took just two plays for ISU to hit pay dirt as Julian Reese hit Dede with a 10-yard pass to pull ISU within one point at 7-6. Mike Megyesi’s extra point failed to leave ISU trailing by a point.
ISU was able to take its first lead of the contest with 7:53 left in the second quarter as Sydney Montfort pushed into the end zone from one yard out to give the Sycamores a 12-7 lead. The play capped a seven-play, 34-yard drive that lasted 2:50. Reese hit Chris Lewis in the back of the end zone on the two-point play to put ISU up 14-7.
SMS would strike again early in the third quarter when fullback Nathan Schurman took a screen pass into the end zone off the throw from Michael White. The extra point split the uprights to tie the game at 14 all with 10:06 left in the third stanza.
SMS struck again later in the period, this time in the form of a 38-yard field goal by Brian Long, giving the Bears a 17-10 lead with 2:34 left in the third quarter.
Indiana State held the ball in the final period for 6:22 as they put together a 16-play, 72-yard drive that ended with Megyesi hitting a 25-yard field goal to tie the game at 17-17.
Indiana State’s defense stepped up in the waning moments, as Sycamore cornerback Jonathan Bell came up with an interception with just 1:15 left in the game to stifle an SMS drive and give the Sycamores the ball at the 50-yard line. After moving the ball seven yards in three plays, Megyesi lined up for a 60-yard field goal attempt. Megyesi, who earlier this season booted field goals of 52 and 54 yards, had the distance but the kick sailed wide right, sending the contest into overtime.
SMS took the ball first in the overtime, but the Sycamores held the Bears to a 37-yard field goal giving the Bears the 20-17 lead.
On Indiana State's first play of overtime, Reese just missed a wide open Tommy Signars in the end zone. Reese then moved the ball six yards on the quarterback keeper. After Soso Dede gained five more yards on the next play, Reese once again kept the ball on the option for a four-yard gain to the 10. On the next play from scrimmage, the Sycamores executed the option-pitch to perfection as Dede scampered around left end for 10 yards to give the Sycamores a 23-20 win.
For the contest, the Sycamores forced three SMS turnovers (two fumbles and one interception) while not committing any turnovers themselves. Indiana State was also whistled for just three penalties (26 yards) while SMS drew eight fouls for 70 penalty yards.
Individually, Indiana State was led by the strong defensive play of outside linebacker Dietrich Lapsley, who recorded a school-record 18 solo tackles (22 total takedowns). Offensively, Reese completed 10 of 24 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown while Dede gained 30 yards and one touchdown on the ground while also scoring once through the air. Jason Kaeppel had two pass receptions for 27 yards.
The Sycamores hit the road next weekend as they travel to Western Illinois for a 1:05 p.m. contest against the Leathernecks.