Redbird rewind: QB change helps spark No. 7 ISU to win in home opener

Redshirt freshman Luke Mailander caught three passes for 65 yards, including his first career touchdown in Saturday’s win against Morehead State. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)

By Dan Verdun

NORMAL – Brock Spack had seen enough. 

After redshirt freshman quarterback Beckham Pellant fumbled for the second time in Saturday’s home opener at Hancock Stadium, the veteran Illinois State head coach made his decision.

“We needed some energy on the field, so we made the switch,” Spack said.

ISU got a reprieve when the turnover was negated by defensive offside call. Spack then sent Tommy Rittenhouse, the usual starter who was nursing an injury, into the game.

“Putting the ball on the ground twice (led to the decision),” Spack said.

Rittenhouse scored on a 1-yard run to right, igniting No. 7 Illinois State (1-1) to an eventual 41-13 win against Morehead State (1-1).

“I was ready to go when the coaches decided it was a tight game and they needed me,” Rittenhouse said. “I heard on the headset, ‘Tommy, you’re in.’ As soon as I heard the play (call), I had a feeling if the (defensive) end crashed, I could get around.”

Pellant was making his first collegiate start in place of Rittenhouse, who injured his right shoulder in last week’s loss at FBS Oklahoma.

The ISU coaching staff made the decision to hold Rittenhouse out.

“Yes, that was going to be the plan,” Spack said. 

That plan went out the window as Rittenhouse played meaningful minutes the rest of the way.

Rittenhouse described his performance as “iffy,” completing 8 of 13 passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns while throwing one interception. He rushed four times for seven net yards.

Cincinnati transfer Victor Dawson led the Redbirds with 88 yards on 10 carries, including a 50-yard run.

Senior Wenkers Wright ran for 86 yards on 15 attempts, while Mason King made his first appearance since suffering a season-ending knee injury in last year’s opener at Iowa. King ran three times for 24 yards.

“I don’t know how many people realize this is an injury that is career-ending. Seeing him out there was awesome,” Spack said. “He had some really nice runs there.”

Game changers

11:53, 2nd quarter: Pellant connected with Daniel Sobkowicz for a 25-yard touchdown. It was the redshirt freshman’s first career TD pass and the senior receiver’s first score of the season.

7:01, 2nd quarter: Sobkowicz completed a 28-yard pass to fellow receiver Luke Mailander. The trick play set ISU up on the Morehead State 2-yard line.

Rittenhouse came off the bench to score on a 1-yard TD run. The play gave ISU a 17-6 lead.

4:28, 4th quarter: Rittenhouse found tight end Nick True for a 3-yard TD reception. It was the first catch and first touchdown for the Illinois transfer. The score, which increased the lead to 34-13, grabbed momentum back for the Redbirds following a Morehead State touchdown drive.

Best ‘Birds

Prairie State Pigskin chooses the the top three Illinois State players in the game:

Sobkowicz, WR: The senior led ISU with five receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. He was credited with 28 yards after the catch. In addition, Sobowicz completed a 28-yard pass to set up Rittenhouse’s touchdown. 

Dawson, RB: The FBS Cincinnati transfer who began his career at FCS Merrimack rushed for 88 yards on 10 carries, including a 50-yard run.

Cam Wilson, DB: The senior scooped up a fumble and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown to cap the victory. The Texas native recorded three tackles, a pass breakup and a sack.

What it means

Illinois State wins for the 16th time in 17 home openers under Spack. The head coach is 9-0 against Pioneer League teams.

What’s next

Illinois State travels to Charleston’s O’Brien Field for a 2 p.m. Sept. 13 kickoff at Eastern Illinois in the annual “Mid-America Classic” traveling trophy game. EIU (1-1) lost 38-14 at Indiana State Saturday in a non-conference matchup.

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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