Illinois State uses turnovers to top South Dakota St 27-18

BROOKINGS, S.D. - San Fenlason kicked four field goals, three in the second half, to lead Illinois State to a 27-18 win over South Dakota State on Saturday in a battle of highly-ranked Missouri Valley Conference teams.

The 12th-ranked Redbirds (7-3, 4-2) scored on four straight possessions and ran out the clock after a missed field goal. Fourth-ranked South Dakota State (7-3, 4-2) had three-straight turnovers after taking an 18-10 lead midway through the third quarter.

After Pierre Strong’s 4-yard run for SDSU’s last points, the Redbirds answered with a Fenlason field goal. An interception by Christia Uphoff led to another field goal that cut the lead to 18-16. The Jackrabbits fumbled the ensuing kickoff, caused by Peyton Jones and recovered by Luke Bennyhoff, and Illinois Sate went 18 yards in six plays, capped by James Robinson’s 1-yard run and a 2-point conversion. Dylan Draka forced and recovered a fumble on the SDSU 32 and Fenalson kicked his longest field goal, 46 yards.

Illinois State had 302 yards of offense and just one turnover. South Dakota State had 260 yards.