NORMAL, Ill. — Tommy Rittenhouse contributed significantly to Illinois State’s success on Saturday as he threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another, guiding the team to a 23-16 win over Youngstown State.

The game started with Youngstown State (3-7, 2-4 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference) taking an early lead of 2-0 when Jaylen Castleberry tackled Rittenhouse in the end zone for a safety during the Redbirds’ initial possession. However, Illinois State (6-3, 3-2) quickly responded, with Ian Wagner kicking a 33-yard field goal to make it 3-2 by the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Rittenhouse led a 71-yard offensive drive culminating in a 3-yard touchdown pass to Wenkers Wright. Despite Wagner’s miss on the extra-point attempt, the Redbirds extended their lead to 9-2 by halftime.

Shortly after the break, Wright made an impressive 47-yard run on the second play of the third quarter, and Rittenhouse followed up with two 11-yard runs, scoring on the second run to increase Illinois State’s advantage to 16-2.

Youngstown State countered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Tyshon King at the end of an 11-play drive, narrowing the score to 16-9 midway through the third quarter. However, Rittenhouse quickly responded with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Javon Charles, regaining a 14-point lead as the game moved into the final quarter.

With only 4:34 left in the game, Beau Brungard completed a 7-yard touchdown throw to Max Tomczak, reducing the Ducks’ deficit to 23-16. Unfortunately for the Penguins, they did not regain possession, as the Redbirds executed a nine-play drive that effectively drained the clock.

Rittenhouse’s stats were impressive; he completed 15 of 19 throw attempts for 153 yards, though he also had one interception. Wright was a key player on the ground for Illinois State, carrying the ball 10 times for 104 yards. Meanwhile, Brunson from Youngstown State threw for 157 yards, completing 19 of his 32 passes and also throwing one interception.