Illinois State 40-32 Murray State (Oct. 19, 2024) Game Recap

MURRAY, Ky. – Tommy Rittenhouse had a touchdown pass and two long scoring runs to lead Illinois State to a 40-32 victory over Murray State on Saturday.

Rittenhouse scored on a 40-yard run in the first quarter and Illinois State (5-3, 2-2 Missouri Valley Football Conference) settled for a 6-0 lead after the point-after kick failed.

Ian Wagner kicked a short field goal for the Redbirds early in the second quarter, but three plays later Jawaun Northington raced 48 yards for a touchdown and Murray State (1-6, 0-4) got within 9-7.

Rittenhouse connected with Wenkers Wright for a 39-yard gain to the Racers' 1-yard line, and Wright ran in from there to give Illinois State a 16-7 lead. Jayden Johannsen passed to Elijah Downing for a 24-yard touchdown with 52 seconds left, bringing Murray State within two points at halftime.

Rittenhouse passed to Xavier Loyd for a 33-yard gain and then capped the two-play drive with a 26-yard touchdown run on the Redbirds' first possession of the second half. Backup quarterback Jake Rubley capped an 11-play drive with a 1-yard scoring throw to Daniel Sobkowicz and Illinois State led 30-14 entering the fourth quarter.

Rittenhouse connected with Sobkowicz for a 13-yard touchdown and a 37-22 lead with 7:08 to play.

Northington's second touchdown run – a 4-yarder – brought the Racers within eight points with 5:29 left, but they got no closer.

Rittenhouse finished the game with 347 yards on 27 of 38 passing and one interception for the Redbirds. He also carried nine carries for 128 yards. Wright totaled 79 yards on 22 carries. Loyd had five catches for 148 yards while Sobowicz caught nine for 77 yards.

Johannsen completed 12 of 25 passes for 209 yards and two scores for the Racers. Northington rushed for 104 yards on 17 carries.

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