Tight end Kyle Thompson celebrates a first-half touchdown Saturday by Tarleton State in the Texans’ 56-21 home victory against Chicago State. (Photo by TarletonSports.com)
By Barry Bottino
Chicago State started the scoring Saturday night against No. 3 Tarleton State.
Over the next nine drives by the Texans, however, they flexed their muscle by scoring 49 unanswered points to finish off the Cougars in 56-21 non-conference victory.
Tarleton’s scoring splurge featured four consecutive passing TDs from quarterback Kaden Anderson, followed by three consecutive rushing touchdowns from running back Bryce Green.
Anderson finished the game 10-for-22 for 145 yards and was one of three quarterbacks to play for Tarleton (5-0). Green rushed for 90 yards on 11 carries and was part of a ground game that piled up 392 yards and 9.8 yards per carry.
Tarleton had four scoring drives of five plays or less in the victory.
Despite the touchdown, Edmonds was limited to minus-1 yard on 16 carries. CSU gained only 13 yards on 31 carries.
The Cougars (1-5), who lost their third game in a row, had their most success in the passing game.
Quarterback Ashton Pannell was 27-for-44 passing for 292 yards and threw a 38-yard TD to wide receiver Kymari Gray with 5:50 left in the game. Gray led all receivers in the game with seven catches for 130 yards. Fellow wide receiver Arshawn Powell added six receptions.
Pannell completed passes to seven different receivers.
CSU’s defense allowed 589 total yards and 8.3 yards per play in the loss.
Linebacker Adrian Bowers had 13 tackles for the Cougars and led all players in the game.
CSU defensive end Lesroy Tittle, a freshman from West Aurora High School, had the game’s lone sack.
With 1:54 left in the game, CSU backup quarterback Jacob Tiberi recovered his own fumble and ran the ball in for a 1-yard touchdown.
Game changers
3:12, 1st quarter: Edmonds scored on a 1-yard TD run to open the scoring.
8:12, 4th quarter: Green rushed for his third consecutive TD to give Tarleton 49 unanswered points.
1:54, 4th quarter: Tiberi recovered his own fumble and plunged in from 1 yard out for a CSU TD.
What’s next?
The Cougars have a bye week Oct. 10, followed by a trip to North Carolina A&T on Oct. 17. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
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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