Illinois State Dominates Southern Illinois 45-10 in MVC Showdown
- Tommy Rittenhouse led Illinois State with a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown.
- Southern Illinois initially responded with a strong drive but could not maintain momentum.
- Illinois State's victory improved their record to 4-2, while Southern Illinois fell to 2-4.
In a Missouri Valley Conference matchup on Saturday night, Illinois State faced off against in-state rival Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Illinois. Tommy Rittenhouse was instrumental for Illinois State, scoring a touchdown on a 36-yard run and throwing for another touchdown. The game saw Southern Illinois initially respond with a strong drive, but Illinois State regained control with a series of successful plays, including a 38-yard touchdown pass from Rittenhouse to Daniel Sobkowicz. The Redbirds extended their lead with a field goal and a series of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, showcasing their offensive strength. Rittenhouse's performance included completing 16 of 30 passes for 172 yards, while Sobkowicz contributed significantly with both receiving and passing touchdowns. Southern Illinois struggled to keep pace, despite Hunter Simmons leading their offense with 160 passing yards and a rushing touchdown. The victory improved Illinois State's record to 4-2, while Southern Illinois fell to 2-4, highlighting the competitive nature of the conference and the importance of this rivalry game.