By Stretch Jenkinson
Michael Neel & Cole Dow Led UD With 54 Yards Rushing
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State defeated Dayton 41-0 in the football season opener for both teams. ISU gained 23 first downs to UD’s 16.
The game marked the first game for Trevor Andrews as the Flyer head coach.
GAME RECAP
1st Quarter – Illinois State 21, Dayton 0
· Illinois State took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards to open the scoring.
· Dayton moved the ball into Redbird territory but turned it over on downs and ISU drove 59 yards for its second score.
· UD forced a turnover to stop Illinois State, but the Redbirds recovered a snap that went over the punter’s head in the end zone for its third touchdown.
· Both Flyer quarterbacks played and were productive. Dante Casciola got the start and was four-for-four passing for 14 yards. Cole Dow was UD’s leading rusher with four carries for 35 yards.
Halftime – Illinois State 31, Dayton 0
· Illinois State’s touchdown in the second quarter was a 77-yard burst midway through the quarter.
· Michael Neel prevented a 59-yard TD run by running the Redbird player down at the 11, which led to a 28-yard field goal.
· Dayton did not convert field goals on two trips to the red zone in the quarter.
· ISU outgained UD 142 to 94 in the quarter.
Third Quarter – Illinois State 41, Dayton 0
· The two teams combined for three first downs in the first 10 minutes of the quarter, but Illinois State’s two led to a 43-yard field goal.
· The Redbirds drove 60 yards for a touchdown on their last possession of the quarter.
· Dow completed all five of his passes in the period.
· ISU outgained UD 142 to 94 in the quarter.
Final Score — Illinois State 41, Dayton 0
· Neither team threatened in the fourth quarter.
· Dayton ran four plays in Redbird territory.
· Illinois State ran 10 in UD territory, none closer than the Flyer 30.
BY THE NUMBERS
· Michael Neel (18 carries) and Cole Dow (12 carries) each gained 54 yards rushing to lead UD.
· Dow was 10-of-20 passing for 63 yards, and Dante Casciola was 7-for-11 for 43.
· Joey Swanson caught four passes for 40 yards.
· In his first college start, linebacker Aiden McKinley led UD with 14 tackles, including a fumble forced and a fumble recovered.
· Linebacker Nate Arthur and safety Cole Hildebrand each with five solo hits. Arthur had nine total and UD’s only sack. Hildebrand had six total and also caused a fumble.
· Total offense was 473 to 203 in favor of ISU, while time of possession was 36:39 to 23:21 in favor of Dayton.
UP NEXT
· Dayton opens at home against Central State on Saturday, Sept. 9.
· Game time is 1 p.m. ET.
COURTESY DAYTON MEDIA RELATIONS
