Kirk seals game with sack, Illinois St holds off Missouri St
NORMAL, Ill. -- James Robinson rushed for 155 yards to move into second on the Illinois State career list, Luther Kirk sealed it with a sack on fourth-and-goal in the closing seconds and the Redbirds held off Missouri State 17-12 on Saturday.
Illinois State led 17-9 with 11:03 remaining in the fourth quarter but an interception and fumble on its next two possessions kept Missouri State in it. Robinson fumbled it at Illinois State's 32 with 2:17 remaining and Missouri State went eight plays to get to the 3 but Peyton Huslig rolled to his right and was tackled for a nine-yard loss on fourth down.
Brady Davis passed for 65 yards and two touchdowns for Illinois State (8-3, 5-2 Missouri Valley), which is ranked No. 8 in the FCS coaches' poll. The Redbirds had three players attempt a pass with Bryce Jefferson and Jack Baltz throwing interceptions. Robinson reached 100 yards, on 29 carries, for the sixth time this season.
Huslig was intercepted twice for Missouri State (1-9, 1-6).
Game Information
2023 Missouri Valley Football Conference Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
South Dakota State | 8-0 | 15-0 |
South Dakota | 7-1 | 10-3 |
Northern Iowa | 5-3 | 6-5 |
North Dakota | 5-3 | 7-5 |
North Dakota State | 5-3 | 11-4 |
Youngstown State | 5-3 | 8-5 |
Southern Illinois | 4-4 | 8-5 |
Illinois State | 4-4 | 6-5 |
Missouri State | 3-5 | 4-7 |
Murray State | 1-7 | 2-9 |
Indiana State | 1-7 | 1-10 |
Western Illinois | 0-8 | 0-11 |