Redshirt junior Cole Mueller (4) ran for two touchdowns as ISU rolled up 203 rushing yards in Saturday’s win against visiting Lindenwood. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
After struggling on offense the past two games, Illinois State started fast and then shifted into a higher gear.
ISU used a big second half to breeze to a 48-17 nonconference win against Lindenwood Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
The Redbirds (3-1) scored on their first two drives and racked up 521 yards on offense. ISU passed for 318 yards and rushed for 203.
Illinois State, which settled for two touchdowns in last week’s 14-13 loss at Eastern Illinois, went 6-for-6 on red zone possessions.
Quarterback Zack Annexstad completed 26 passes in 33 attempts for 288 yards. He threw for two touchdowns. Perhaps more importantly, he was not intercepted.
Lindenwood (2-2) is playing in its second season at the FCS level as it transitions from Division II. The Lions – based in suburban St. Louis – rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat Western Illinois, 43-40, last Saturday in Macomb.
There certainly was no comeback Saturday as ISU turned a 20-14 halftime lead into a blowout win. The Redbirds outscored the Lions, 28-3, in the second half.
Game changers
First drive, 1st quarter: ISU quarterback Zack Annexstad hit I’Shawn Stewart for a 28-yard gain, which led to the Redbirds’ first touchdown.
9:11, 2nd quarter: Redshirt sophomore Daniel Sobkowicz got behind the Lindenwood defense and reeled in a 62-yard touchdown pass. The TD and extra point increased ISU’s lead to 20-7.
0:39, 3rd quarter: Freshman back Josh Robinson scored his first career touchdown, essentially putting the game out of reach.
What it means
The Redbirds rebound after last week’s loss at Eastern Illinois with a win in their final nonconference game before opening Missouri Valley Football Conference play in two weeks.
Best ‘Birds
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Illinois State players in the game:
Annexstad, QB: The redshirt senior looked sharp with a 26-for-33 passing performance for 288 yards and two touchdowns.
Sobkowicz, WR: The Rolling Meadows High School graduate led the team with 99 yards on five receptions, including his 62-yard TD.
Robinson, RB: The freshman from Bolingbrook ran for a career-high 84 yards on eight attempts. He scored his first career touchdown.
What’s next?
ISU enters its bye week before hosting South Dakota State, the No. 1-ranked team in FCS. The matchup kicks off at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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