The football team falls short to Illinois State 38-36 after a six-hour match, two weather delays, and two overtimes.
The football team finished its nonconference schedule with a formidable and short fall of a comeback to the No. 4-ranked team in the FCS after losing to the same team last year, 24-17.
This is only the second time in school history that the Lions have suited up against the Redbirds, and it resulted in a matchup for the ages away from home at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
The game was an air raid attack by both teams as the game started heavily in favor of the Redbirds. The score was 17-7 going into halftime, led by quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse and wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz, who snagged the game-winning two-point conversion in double overtime.
The second half was all Lions as they mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, led by graduate quarterback Ari Patu, who came in the game early for starting quarterback Destin Wade. Patu threw for 243 yards and four touchdowns, and also led the team in rushing with 60 yards. Justin Pegues and KJ Fields led the receivers, with Pegues grabbing two touchdowns with 91 yards and Fields with 94 yards and a touchdown.
The Lions would outscore the Redbirds 20-10 in the second half. They even blocked the game-winning field goal at the end of regular time to send the game into overtime.
With both sides trading points in the two overtimes, a penalty call late in the second overtime overturned a potentially game-tying two-point conversion from UNA that would have forced a third overtime. After failing the next attempt, UNA would lose the game 36-38.
The Lions (1-3) will start the United Athletic Conference and face off against Abilene Christian on the road on Oct. 4, after a bye week following the loss to Illinois State.
