Illinois State defensive lineman Ben Harman played a key role in the Redbirds snapping a two-game losing streak with a win at rival Southern Illinois. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
CARBONDALE – After a severe foot injury ended his season last September, Ben Harman is grateful to be back on the field.
“It’s a huge sense of gratitude,” the Illinois State defensive lineman told Prairie State Pigskin. “Missing time always makes you self-reflect and be more appreciative of everything that you have. Being back, being healthy, being able to help the team is really encouraging.”
His performance in Saturday’s 35-14 win at rival Southern Illinois was more than just encouraging.
Harman proved to be one of the rock solid defenders as the No. 13 Redbirds snapped a two-game losing streak.
The Wisconsin native produced a sack, which forced a fumble that he recovered. It led to an ISU touchdown.
He then recovered a second fumble on the next SIU possession. That also led to a touchdown in the decisive 28-point second quarter for the Redbirds.
“Everyone on our defense has been playing well,” Harman said, “it just didn’t result in turnovers (in the two losses) like it was earlier in the season.”
The 6-foot-6, 275-pound junior batted down two passes and was credited with a quarterback hurry as the Redbirds improved their record to 5-2 overall and 1-2 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
ISU held Southern to 239 total yards with just 73 coming on the ground. The Redbirds sacked quarterback D.J. Williams five times. ISU also pressured him three times, according to the official game statistics.
ISU linebacker Solomon Oduma recorded seven tackles and collected two sacks.
“The coaches do a phenomenal job of telling us exactly how it is and giving it to us straight. We, as players, take that in and practice hard,” Oduma said.
Harman is certainly one such player to translate practice into games. He ranks sixth on the team with 25 tackles. Harman is third on the team in tackles for losses (3), trailing only linebackers Tye Niekamp (6.5) and Dexter Niekamp (3.5).
“To see us get the ball back to our offense (Saturday) was a lot of fun,” Harman said.
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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