Wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz set career bests Saturday with 11 catches, 170 receiving yards and three touchdowns in Illinois State’s loss to Youngstown State. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Barry Bottino
On a day when 10 combined touchdowns were scored by Illinois State and Youngstown State, a kicker had the final say.
Andrew Lastovka’s 37-yard field goal as time expired knocked off the Redbirds, 41-38, in a pivotal Missouri Valley Football Conference game, dealing a blow to the Illinois State playoff hopes.
“We still made enough plays to win the game,” ISU head coach Brock Spack told WJBC Radio. “We ran the ball well all day. I thought we were going to come back and put it into overtime at least.”
At 4-3 overall and 2-2 in conference, the Redbirds would have to go at least 3-1 in their final four games of the season to earn postseason consideration.
“I think 7-4 gets you in, especially from our league,” Spack said. “Maybe not.”
The loss muted an impressive day of offense for Illinois State. Wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz set career highs with 11 catches for 170 yards and three first-half TD catches.
Quarterback Zack Annexstad had a career-best five TD passes.
In a game that was tied, 28-28, at halftime, the Redbirds took their first lead of the day with just under 6 minutes left in the third quarter when Camo Nelson caught a 3-yard shovel pass from Annexstad, giving ISU a 35-31 edge.
After the Penguins (4-3, 2-2) responded with their own TD with just under 8 minutes remaining in the game, ISU kicker Ian Wagner connected on a 35-yard field goal with 4:18 to go, tying the score at 38.
Youngstown went 55 yards in 10 plays on the winning drive, including a fourth-and-one conversion on a Tyshon King 1-yard run with 18 seconds remaining.
“That last first down was tight, it was close,” Spack said. “I don’t know.”
Sobkowicz was limited to 33 yards in the second half thanks to a change in YSU’s coverage.
For the second time in three weeks, ISU’s defense allowed two rushers from the same team to surpass 100 yards as King (148) and Dra Rushton (109) led the way.
“They ran the ball with a lot of success,” Spack said. “We didn’t play the run very well.”
Along with a productive passing game, ISU got 128 rushing yards from junior Mason Blakemore.
Game changers
5:58, 3rd quarter: Annexstad delivered a shovel pass Nelson, who scored on a 3-yard TD. The play gave ISU its only lead of the day, 35-31.
0:18, 4th quarter: On a fourth-and-1 play, King rushed for just enough yardage to keep the winning drive going for YSU.
0:00, 4th quarter: Lastovka made a 37-yard field goal as time expires.
What it means
With a third loss and the 85th-best strength of schedule in FCS, according to MasseyRatings.com, the Redbirds face an uphill battle for a playoff spot.
Best ‘Birds
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Redbird players in the game:
Sobkowicz, WR: Who else? The redshirt sophomore is having a phenomenal season and was nearly unstoppable Saturday.
Blakemore, RB: The junior posted his second 100-yard game of the season, rushing for 128 yards on 17 carries.
Josh Dinga, DL: The senior had ISU’s only sack, two tackles for loss and a key pass breakup.
What’s next?
The Redbirds return home Oct. 28 for a pivotal MVFC game against Northern Iowa at noon.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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