The UNH Wildcats were one quarter away from keeping their home win streak alive and advancing to the first FCS National Championship in school history.
But Illinois State had other plans.
The Redbirds scored two touchdowns in the second half to erase UNH’s 12-point lead and earn a 21-18 win in the FCS Semifinals. The Wildcats had won 14 consecutive games at Cowell Stadium — affectionately known as “The Dungeon” — prior to Saturday’s game.
UNH’s high-octane offense was stymied by Illinois State’s defense in the early going, as the visiting Redbirds got on the board first with a field goal less than four minutes into game action.
Wildcats quarterback Sean Goldrich finally got his team going late in the first quarter, scrambling for a four-yard score to give UNH a 7-3 lead. Running back Nico Steriti extended that lead with a six-yard touchdown plunge early in the second quarter, and UNH converted a two-point conversion to go up 15-3.
But with the Wildcats leading 18-6, the Redbirds mounted a fourth-quarter comeback. Running back Marshaun Coprich narrowed the deficit to five with a two-yard run just 45 seconds into the fourth quarter. With 7:55 remaining, quarterback Tre Roberson broke free for a 47-yard touchdown scamper to give Illinois State a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
The 13-1 Redbirds will face 14-1 North Dakota State in the FCS National Championship on Jan. 10. The Wildcats finish their season 12-2.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@CAAFootball
