Indiana State tops Dayton 24-13 with defensive touchdowns

On Saturday night in Terre Haute, Indiana State achieved a significant victory over Dayton, primarily due to their strong defensive performance. Jorge Valdes made a remarkable play by returning an interception 90 yards for a touchdown, while Garret Ollendieck capitalized on a fumble, scoring another defensive touchdown from 12 yards out. Despite struggling offensively, with only 18 total yards in the first half, Indiana State led 14-0 at halftime. The Sycamores managed to score their only offensive touchdown in the third quarter when Lance Rees executed a 23-yard run on a crucial 4th-and-1 play. This drive was aided by a 15-yard punt return from Rashad Rochelle, showcasing the team's ability to capitalize on special teams. In contrast, Dayton's offense was held scoreless until the fourth quarter, where Drew VanVleet threw two touchdown passes, one of which was set up by a 60-yard kick return from Luke Brenner. Despite their offensive struggles, Indiana State's defense was the standout aspect of the game, limiting Dayton to just 326 total yards and forcing critical turnovers. The Sycamores finished the game with only 92 yards on offense and were unable to convert on any of their 11 third-down attempts. Keegan Patterson led the Sycamores in rushing, while VanVleet's performance for Dayton included 291 passing yards. This victory marks a crucial moment for Indiana State, improving their record to 1-2, while Dayton fell to 1-1. The game highlighted the importance of defensive plays in determining the outcome, as Indiana State's ability to score on defense ultimately secured their win.