Image Courtesy of Redbird AthleticsÂ
NORMAL, Ill. – Coming off their win last week against North Alabama, the Redbirds came into this game 1-1 on the season, ready to kick off their home opener for a family weekend, where they played Western Illinois.
The Redbirds would start off this game by getting two unanswered touchdowns and going up 14-0. One of those touchdowns came on the ground by quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse. The Leathernecks put some points on the board to close the first quarter 14-7.
Both teams get touchdowns in the second quarter. Quarterback Jake Rubley picked up a rushing touchdown and ended the first half 24-21 with the Redbirds in the lead.
Early in the third quarter, Redbird Linebacker Lavoise-Deontae McCoy would return a blocked field goal for a touchdown. Two more touchdowns were scored between both teams, and the third quarter would end with the Birds up 38-28.
The Redbirds would put up two more touchdowns in the fourth, with the Leathernecks scoring one in the last few seconds of the game. RedBirds would go on to win this game 51-34 and move to 2-1 on the season.
Rittenhouse would finish this game with 201 yards and two touchdowns, along with a touchdown on the ground. Runningback Wenkers Wright would rush for 106 yards and a touchdown. McCoy would finish this game with twelve tackles and a touchdown.
Next Saturday, the Redbirds will play Eastern Illinois at home in a blackout game. The game will kick off at 6 p.m., and coverage on WZND will begin at 5:50 pm.