Illinois State receiver Mar’Quan Gary set career-highs in catches and yards in last weekend’s game at North Dakota. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigksin.com)
By Dan Verdun
Illinois State receiver Mar’Quan Gary was more than happy to be back in the lineup following a hamstring injury that had sidelined him in recent weeks.
“It means a lot. I was pushing every single day,” said Gary, who has played in seven of ISU’s 10 games this season. “It felt good to be out there with the team and make some plays.”
Gary indeed made plays in the 49-21 loss at nationally ranked North Dakota.
The 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore set career-highs in receptions (6) and yards (101). His 37-yard touchdown catch marked his first reception since Sept. 26 at Northern Iowa.
“He had a breakout game,” ISU head coach Brock Spack said. “Two of his catches were one-handed. That was impressive.”
Gary said: “It was pretty exciting. I’ve been waiting for a moment like this, to make plays on a big stage.”
Illinois State could use more of the same from Gary when the No. 15 Redbirds (7-3, 3-3 Missouri Valley Football Conference) travel to No. 3 Youngstown State (8-2, 6-1) for an 11 a.m. Saturday league game.
Gary said he has improved his ability to catch the football. The Normal Community High School graduate has 14 receptions for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
“I’m way better and more focused,” he said. “Overall, I’m more confident than I was when we first started the season.”
Gary said he worked with the training and strength staff to get back on the field.
“They were amazing,” he said. “I practiced and went through a lot of rehab stuff to get me back moving. That was the most important thing, just moving and being able to run routes.”
Beau knows awards
ISU will face Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard, who is coming off a school-record 423-yard passing day in a 62-35 demolition of Murray State. The fifth-year player completed 31 of 34 passes, including a program-record 22 straight at one point.
Brungard shared MVFC Offensive Player of the Week honors with North Dakota QB Jerry Kaminski, who led the Fighting Hawks to a 49-21 win over ISU.
Brungard appears well on his way to winning his second straight Walter Payton Award as the top FCS offensive player.
“No. 1, he can really run. No. 2, he can really accelerate, and No. 3, he’s strong. He’s built like a linebacker,” Spack said.
The ISU head coach said that Brungard is “an accurate passer with a strong arm. He gets rid of the ball quickly.”
Spack also noted that Youngstown State isn’t running Brungard haphazardly.
“He’s scrambling to throw it now. He’s running to throw, if you get what I’m saying,” Spack said. “He’ll pull the ball down when he has to and they have designed runs for him, but they’re not doing it quite as much as they have in the past.”
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WJBC.com
Key matchup to watch
ISU secondary vs. YSU receiver Lynn Wyche-El
While Brungard makes the Penguin offense go, Wyche-El has reeled off four straight games with 100 or more receiving yards. The Grand Valley State transfer earned MVFC Newcomer of the Week honors for his 10-catch, 145-yard performance against Murray State last weekend.
What’s at stake
Illinois State needs a win to secure a likely spot in the 24-team FCS playoff bracket. A loss means the Redbirds need to win their Nov. 21 season finale with South Dakota in Normal.
Quick hits
Youngstown State leads the MVFC in numerous offensive categories, including points (406), points per game (40.6) and touchdowns (56). Illinois State ranks second in scoring defense, allowing 19.3 points per game. … Youngstown State has won six straight games since a 27-20 loss at conference leader South Dakota State in mid-September. The Penguins’ other loss was at FBS Kentucky. … YSU is 5-0 at home this season. … Saturday marks Illinois State’s first trip to Youngstown State since 2023. The last two games have taken place in Normal with ISU winning in 2024 and YSU winning last fall. …The last Redbird win in Youngstown came in 2017 when ISU prevailed, 35-0. …Brungard has made two starts against Illinois State in his career. He passed for 157 yards with a touchdown and interception in a 2023 loss to the Redbirds. He ran for 22 yards in that game. Last fall, Brungard passed for 328 yards and two touchdowns with an interception while rushing for 200 yards and three TDs in a Youngstown State victory. … Five MVFC teams are ranked this week: No. 3 Youngstown State, No. 4 South Dakota State, No. 10 South Dakota, No. 11 North Dakota and No. 15 Illinois State.
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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