Redbirds win 38-36 in double overtime after two weather delays

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Redbirds defeated the North Alabama Lions 38-36 in a gritty double overtime win which saw an incredible comeback staged by the unranked Lions against the number four ranked Redbirds. In the last of non-conference play for Illinois stat, the redbirds found themselves in a dreary six-hour long game highlighted by two long rain delays, and a near upset to unranked North Alabama.

The game started slow with the first points coming from a 42-yard Matt Maldonado field goal with five minutes left in the first quarter. The next score would not come until early in the second quarter where running back Wenkers Wright, coming off an incredible three touchdown performance against Eastern, barreled his way through and off of defender finding the endzone after a 38-yard run.

Roughly five minutes later Redbird quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse would find Luke Mailander in the corner of the endzone to put the Redbirds up 17-0.  Following a difficult back and forth the game was suspended for the first time lasting an hour and 14 minutes. Both teams retreated to their locker rooms and when they returned with only 2 minutes remaining in the half, momentum switched.

Coming out of the locker room following the weather delay, North Alabama returned with a fiery unseen at this point and marched down the field quickly when Quarterback Ari Patu laid one into the endzone with nine seconds left in the half. After a shortened three-minute half time the teams took the field and once again the Redbirds faltered allowing the Lions to cut the lead to three after their running back Javion Allen took the endzone for a one-yard touchdown.

The ISU offense finally showed some life after the first delay with Rittenhouse connecting with senior receiver Daniel Sokowiscz for a six-yard touchdown to extend the Redbird led to ten ending the third quarter of play. UNA would charge back in interesting fashion when following two penalties, a holding and unsportsmanlike conduct, backing them up from a third and three to a third and 36, would result in a 39-yard touchdown pass from Patu to Lions receiver Justin Pagues. The game would then enter its second weather delay of an hour and 14 minutes.

The score now 24-21, Matt Maldonado would kick a career high 51-yard field goal to strengthen the redbirds lead to 27-21 with 2 minutes and 36 seconds left. With little gas left in the tank the UNA Lions drove down the field 75-yard scoring on a 25-yard touchdown pass. With the game looking over for the redbirds following the score, UNA’s special teams would doink the game winning field goal to keep the score 27-27. With 11 seconds remaining The Redbirds would make a fantastic drive down the field for Matt Maldonado to win the game, unfortunately the kick would be blocked, and the two teams would head into overtime.

On UNA’s first overtime attempt they would fail to reach the endzone settling for a field goal. ISU would follow suit levying the score at 30 a piece and entering a second overtime. The Redbirds would take the field first and Tommy Rittenhouse would send a strike to Daniel Sobkowiscz for a 25-yard touchdown. According to NCAA ruling in double overtime teams must go for the two-point conversion following a touchdown. Rittenhouse and Sobkowicz would connect once again to make the score 38-30. UNA looked good with Ari Patu landing an 18-yard passing touchdown on their subsequent drive, but the Lions would fall short unable to convert on the 2-point conversion.

Family weekend would end in incredible fashion after a nearly six and half hour game, the redbirds finding themselves on to 38-36 in double overtime. Rittenhouse performed great, throwing for 250 yards and three touchdowns. Daniel Sobkowicz would find the endzone twice for the Redbirds and eclipse 150 yards. Shadwell Nkuba would lead the defense with his fourth interception in as many games.

Following the game, ISU sits at three and one on the season as they will enter Missouri Valley Conference Play in two weeks time following a bye week. The Redbirds next game will be at home against North Dakota State University on October fourth at six. WZND’d broadcast of that game will go live, at 5:50 p.m.

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