Illinois State’s defense showing off its stingy side deep in own territory

Linebacker Jalan Gaines (right) had three tackles and a sack Saturday in Illinois State’s 31-9 victory at Northern Iowa. The victory was ISU’s third in a row. (Photo by Eli Hull, UNIPanthers.com)

By Barry Bottino 

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Jalan Gaines is a big believer in Illinois State’s defensive motto.

“We go over it every day,” the ISU senior outside linebacker said. “They don’t score unless we let them. We held true to that.”

Gaines and the Redbirds made believers Saturday of Northern Iowa in a 31-9 victory for the Redbirds, their third win in a row.

ISU (7-3 overall, 4-2 Missouri Valley Football Conference) allowed only UNI 15 first downs and held the Panthers to 2-for-12 on third downs.

The Illinois State defense was especially stingy deep in its own territory.

The Panthers ran 23 plays Saturday inside the ISU 30-yard line. The results?

The Redbirds:

— Held UNI to 10 rushing yards on seven carries.

— Forced quarterback Matthew Schecklman into 5-for-13 passing for 40 yards.

— Had three sacks.

— Allowed only six points on three field-goal attempts.

— Gave up only one play longer than 10 yards.

“That was huge for us,” said ISU head coach Brock Spack, whose team strengthened its FCS playoff resume with its fourth road win this season. “We were excellent. We showed a lot of pride and a lot of character. Now we gave up too many big plays for them to get there.”

Northern Iowa had five running plays longer than 10 yards Saturday, highlighted by a 49-yard play, and three passing plays of 20 yards or more, including a 33-yard completion.

Senior safety Keondre Jackson, who had nine tackles and two pass breakups, said the big gains were just part of football.

“You’re going to give up big plays now and then,” he said. “It’s all about now letting them get into that box. As long as you bow up and stop them from scoring, that’s all that matters. That’s what we did.”

Back to health

The defense has been strengthened by the recent returns of Jackson (shoulder) and Amir Abdullah, who suffered a knee injury in the season opener.

“It just adds to our repertoire of things we can do,” Spack said. “Amir is a really good athlete, and having a really good athlete in the front seven is nice to have. We can use him in a lot of different ways.”

Gaines (fractured right hand) is playing with a large cast on his right arm but had one of the team’s four sacks Saturday.

“I’m getting way more comfortable playing with the club on,” he said. “Being through a few games with it has helped me.”

Presson comes up big

Senior Scotty Presson had one reception last season. Before Saturday, he had two.

Against UNI, he came up with a career day. His three receptions for 58 yards were both career highs.

“Scotty is in my class and we’ve been at it for a while,” ISU quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse said. “It’s good to see him get that opportunity and cash in on it.”

Presson extended a second-quarter touchdown drive with an 8-yard reception on third-and-6. During a third-quarter touchdown drive, Presson made a sliding catch for a 9-yard gain on third-and-8. He also caught a Hail Mary pass just before halftime from backup QB Jake Rubley for a 41-yard gain to the UNI 3.

“Scotty was in my recruiting class,” running back Wenkers Wright said. “I know Scotty’s a dog. I love seeing my guys succeed.”

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.

Find us on social media!

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin 

Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin 

Instagram: Prairiestatepigskin