Illinois St tops S Illinois 44-29 to share MVC

Nov 22, 2014, 06:20 pm

NORMAL, Ill. -- Tre Roberson passed for three touchdowns, Marshaun Coprich rushed for more than 100 yards for the 11th time this season, scoring twice, and Illinois State defeated Southern Illinois 44-29 on Saturday to win 10 games for the first time in school history while earning a share of the Missouri Valley Conference championship.

The Redbirds (10-1, 7-1), whose only other title came in 1999, started quickly with Robertson hiting Cameron Meredith for a 30-yard touchdown and Lechein Neblett for a 70-yarder before the Redbirds adding a safety in the first quarter.

Roberson finished 14 of 23 for a career-high 319 yards. Meredith had a career high of 182 yards on eight catches, his third-straight 100-yard game, and Neblett had four catches for 125.

Coprich's two touchdowns gave him a school record 21 this season.

Southern Illinois (6-6, 3-5) got three touchdown passes from Mark Iannotti.

Illinois State had 602 total yards.