Illinois State gains revenge after last year’s playoff loss

The Redbirds were almost unstoppable on third down.

By CHUCK HOUSTEAU

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — Illinois State coach Denver Johnson remembered the terrible way he felt last year when his Redbirds lost 28-21 in the Football Championship Sub-Division playoffs at Stambaugh Stadium.

Johnson walked out of Stambaugh Stadium a much happier coach Saturday following his team’s 27-22 upset victory over Youngstown State University.

“I don’t know that I could compare the feelings,” Johnson said. “That was a playoff loss, but anytime you can come into the Ice Castle and get a win you have to feel pretty good.

“A lot of teams have come in here and most don’t get to walk out of this place with a ‘W.’ We feel very good right about now.”

Johnson said that he and YSU coach Jon Heacock are close friends so the victory was bittersweet.

“I have the utmost respect for Jon Heacock and for what he has done here,” Johnson said. “The consistency of the Youngstown program is what we are striving for with our program.

“But I’m just so happy for our players and what they were able to accomplish here tonight.”

The Redbirds won the game by controlling the football in the second half.

Illinois State had the football for more than 19 minutes compared to just 6:31 for the Penguins.

The Redbirds also were nearly unstoppable on third down connecting on 8 of 13 in the second half and 11 of 21 for the game.

“We couldn’t get them stopped [on third down],” Heacock said. “We tried to blitz them. We tried not to blitz them. They were on fire on third down.”

Johnson gave all the credit for the team’s success on third down to senior quarterback Luke Drone.

“I just think Luke played an outstanding football game,” Johnson said. “He carried the day.

“He played like a champ today and I know it was important to Luke because the last time Luke played in this stadium he had a couple of turnovers.

In that 7-point loss last year, Drone completed 16-27 passes for 189 yards but threw four interceptions.

Saturday, Drone was at the top of his game as he threw for a season high 278 yards on 19-31 and two touchdowns.

Johnson said what made Drone’s play even more impressive was that he did it with a sore shoulder.

Drone was hit on the game’s first play from scrimmage and suffered a sprained shoulder.

The win evened the Redbirds record at 4-4 and 3-2 in the Gateway and probably ended the Penguins chances for postseason play this year.

“We have a great group of kids in that dressing room,” Johnson said. “They deserve to have some success.

“Last week it was nice to get a win [over winless Indiana State] but this one feels really good.”