TERRE HAUTE —
Last week, Indiana State running back Shakir Bell was upset with himself after he felt he was “trying to hit too many home runs” in a 69-yard rushing performance against Quincy on Sept. 8, so he re-dedicated himself to the basics in the run-up to the Sept. 15 game against Drake.
The result? The best rushing performance in ISU history by a 93-yard margin and the eighth-best in Football Championship Subdivision’s annals.
So given that Bell exorcised his Quincy demons in a 349-yard chunk last Saturday … what has Bell motivated as ISU welcomes South Dakota State for both teams’ Missouri Valley Football Conference opener today?
This time, it’s the opponent. The Jackrabbits (2-1) have quietly been one of the better teams in FCS since late last season. SDSU has won five games in a row inside the division, including a 12-8 victory over UC Davis last Saturday.
More to Bell’s point, South Dakota State ranks 16th in FCS in total defense, 15 spots ahead of the Sycamores’ defense.
That doesn’t sit well with him.
“We’re going against a great defense. Their defense is ranked higher than our defense is, so I want to go out there and make a statement for my defense. And for our guys to perform as we need to and put up numbers we expect to put up,” Bell said.
SDSU uses a 4-3 defense and it has been particularly stout against the run. Kansas rushed for 263 yards in the opening week, but since then, the Jacks have allowed minus-11 yards and 54 yards on the ground.
SDSU is no less intimidating to quarterbacks. The Jacks have 12 sacks, including four by standout linebacker Ross Shafrath, who has 34 tackles, 13 more than any of his teammates.
“They execute their scheme as well as anybody. They don’t have to make-up a lot of stuff. It’s not a defense of the week. This is their defense. This is what they do. They execute it extremely well and they tell you to beat it,” ISU coach Trent Miles said. “When you’re honed in your execution, you don’t make mistakes and you have talent, as they do, it’s very difficult. We have to work that out.”
ISU (2-1) also has to work out a way to stop SDSU running back Zach Zenner, the only FCS rusher who has a better per-game average than Bell. Zenner has been good for 219.33 yards per game this year, with his lowest output being a 183-yard performance against Kansas on Sept. 1.
“He reminds me a lot of Kyle Minnett [SDSU running back from 2007-10, a bruiser who rushed for 4,277 yards]. He runs zone and power really well. He’s about 6-foot, 215-pound with good speed, good feet and tough. That’s means his line is good if he’s getting those kind of yards,” Miles said.
The obvious talk going into the game is No. 1-leading rusher Zenner vs. No. 2-leading rusher Bell, who weighs in at 203.33 yards per game. It’s a delectable morsel for the fans, but Bell won’t cop to getting caught up in it.
“I don’t pay attention to that whole hype. It’s our defense against him and their defense against me. I can’t control what he does, he can’t control what I do. I’ve watched him and heard about how he plays. He’s a great talent,” said Bell, who does the lead the nation in all-purpose yards at 234 per game.
The attention Bell has received for his performances is starting to resonate beyond the usual cadre of fans who show up at Memorial Stadium. The Twitter hashtag #FearShakir has become popular among ISU students and a big crowd is expected today, the last of a three-game homestand before ISU plays three of four on the road.
With the No. 1 and No. 2 rushers in the nation facing off, Miles isn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
“We’re hoping we get a great crowd. We’ve had a good atmosphere with the tailgating. It’s turned into a real college atmosphere, which is great,” Miles said.
“I’m expecting a big crowd. It’s going to be a really good football game. It’s right here. You don’t have to drive to Bloomington or South Bend or West Lafayette or Muncie or Champaign. You can see the top two guys at their positions in the nation on the field and two good football teams,” he added.
ISU has won two in a row in the series against the Jackrabbits.
South Dakota State at ISU
Kickoff — 2 p.m. today
Site — Memorial Stadium
Broadcasts — Radio: WIBQ-FM 98.5. Twitter: @TribStarTodd
Last time out — ISU defeated Drake 27-10 and SDSU defeated UC Davis 12-8 last Saturday.
Series — Tied 2-2. ISU has won the last two games in the series, including a 38-28 win in Brookings, S.D. in 2011.
The players
No. 22 Indiana State Sycamores (2-1, 0-0)
Offense — QB Mike Perish (6-3, 210, So.); TB Shakir Bell (5-7, 170, Fr.); FB Austen Wozniak (6-2, 240, So.); WR Donald Spencer (6-2, 205, So.); WR Demory Lawshe (6-1, 190, Jr.); TE Michael Mardis (6-3, 235, Sr.); LT Paul Patrick (6-7, 300, So.); LG Justin Wood (6-4, 290, Sr.); C Evan Borchers (6-2, 295, Sr.); RG Adam Masters (6-5, 300, So.); RT Casey Paswater (6-4, 290, Sr.).
Leaders — Passing: Perish 37-60-2, 4 TD, 470 yards. Rushing: Bell 76-610, 4 TD. Receiving: Spencer 11-102, 0 TD.
Defense — DE Ben Obaseki (6-3, 235, Sr.); DT Jordan Bright (6-7, 295, Sr.); DT Tyler Boyd (6-2, 265, Jr.); DE Zakee Bashir (6-1, 240, Jr.); SLB Dillon Painter (6-2, 220, Sr.); MLB Aaron Archie (6-0, 235, Sr.); WLB Jacolby Washington (6-1, 235, Sr.); CB Johnny Towalid (5-11, 165, Sr.); CB Calvin Burnett (5-9, 160, Jr.); FS Mark Sewall (5-10, 185, Fr.); SS Larry King (6-2, 205, Jr.).
Leaders — Tackles: Archie 37; Sacks: Connor Underwood, Bashir 1; Interceptions: three tied with 1.
Special teams — K Tanner Fritschle (6-1, 195, So.); P Lucas Hileman (6-1, 195, Sr.); KR-PR Tanner Riley (5-10, 175, Sr.); KR Taje High (5-8, 165, Jr.).
Coach — Trent Miles (5th year at ISU, 15-33).
Injuries — C FN Lutz (knee) is out. S Donovan Layne (leg) is questionable. G Justin Wood (knee) is probable.
South Dakota State (2-1, 0-0)
Offense — QB Austin Sumner (6-5, 220, So.); RB Zach Zenner (6-0, 215, So.); WR Brandon Hubert (5-11, 185, Jr.); WR Brandon Hubert (5-11, 185, Jr.); WR Aaron Rollin (6-1, 210, Sr.); TE Seth Daughters (6-5, 250, Sr.); LT Bryan Witzmann (6-7, 300, Jr.); LG Taylor Suess (6-3, 295, Jr.); C Will Castle (6-2, 310, Sr.); RG Josh Kage (6-4, 290, Jr.); RT Trevor Greger (6-5, 310, So.)
Leaders — Passing: Sumner 42-83-6, 3 TD. Rushing: Zenner 78-658, 4 TD Receiving: Kool 11-110, 1 TD.
Defense — DE Doug Peete (6-3, 255, Jr.); DT Andy Mink (6-2, 270, Sr.); NT David Hettiger (6-3, 260, Sr.); DE Marshall Peugh (6-3, 240, Jr.); LB Ross Shafrath (6-1, 225, Sr.); MLB T.J. Lally (6-0, 225, Fr.); LB Chris Tracy (6-1, 230, Sr.); CB Winston Wright (5-10, 190, Jr.); CB Je Ryan Butler (5-11, 185, Fr.); SS Skyler Luxa (5-11, 210, Sr.); FS Bo Helm (5-10, 195, Sr.).
Leaders — Tackles: Shafrath 34; Sacks: Lally 4; Interceptions: Luxa 1.
Special teams — K Justin Syrovatka (5-9, 195, So.); P Ethan Sawyer (6-2, 200, So.); KR Trevor Tiefenthaler (5-10, 190, Jr.); KR Jimmie Forsythe (5-10, 190, Fr.); PR Jason Schneider (6-5, 210, So.).
Coach — John Stiegelmeier (16th year at SDSU, 95-73).
Next — ISU will plays at Southern Illinois and SDSU plays host to Missouri State next Saturday.
College
SDSU’s rugged defense motivates ISU’s Bell
- College
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Indiana State baseball now one win from MVC Championship
Indiana State’s Wednesday morning wish list probably read something like this: a dominant complete game effort from starting pitcher Devin Moore, near-immaculate defense to support him, and a steady diet of clutch situational hitting from lineup spots one to nine.
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Terre Haute's Mascari running 10,000 meters for chance to get to Hayward Field
Indiana State freshman and Terre Haute North graduate John Mascari is among the enormous group of Sycamores competing this weekend at the NCAA East Preliminary. The top 48 NCAA track and field competitors in each event on this half of the United States are narrowed down to 12 who will compete at the NCAA meet at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
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Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea has battled through so many aches and pains during the 2013 season that it can be hard to discern the serious pain from the pain he pitches through.
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ISU's Negele answers call in big way in wake of Manaea injury
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ISU baseball hoping Manaea can get its MVC Tournament moving in right direction
Indiana State’s baseball team has been waiting all season for its stars to align.
But this is the 2013 Sycamores, after all, and after a season in which seemingly little has gone right, it appears its stars will remain crossed at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. -
ISU track sending record 22 to postseason
On the heels of their thrilling double victory at the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships both the Indiana State men and women moved up in the national rankings which were released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
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ISU's athletic treasure trove
Think of every championship that Indiana State has won in each of its sports, past and present. Think of every tournament — postseason or regular season — which the Sycamores have claimed as their own.
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Ort sets ISU RBI record in 16-7 win
Robby Ort celebrated his Indiana State baseball Senior Day on Saturday by becoming the Sycamores’ all-time leader in RBIs as ISU ended its regular season with a 16-7 win over Bradley at Bob Warn Field.
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Bradley ends 16-game MVC losing streak against ISU
Momentum was the only thing riding on Indiana State’s baseball game against Bradley on Friday. With a five-game winning streak going, ISU wanted to keep the good vibes going into next week’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
ISU couldn’t do it. -
Behind 16 hits and Manaea's pitching, ISU beats Bradley
Indiana State’s baseball team rode a wild ride of emotion on Thursday.
First came the public announcement that Bob Warn Field would host the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Later, Sean Manaea’s availability to pitch ISU’s series opener against Bradley was in doubt. -
Indiana State women add five transfers, including experienced D-I point guard
Indiana State coach Teri Moren believes the addition of five more newcomers to the program — in addition to the five who had already joined the program earlier this calendar year — will provide her coaching staff the athleticism and depth it needs to play a successful, up-tempo brand of basketball next season.
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Metro roundup: Woods softball takes seventh in national tournament
The St. Mary-of-the-Woods softball team finished seventh in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association softball tournament on Tuesday at Firestone Stadium.
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Metro Roundup: Indiana State’s Shakir Bell on Performance Awards watch list
College Football Performance Awards has announced its watch list for the 2013 CFPA FCS Running Back Award, and Indiana State’s Shakir Bell earned a spot on the list.
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ISU baseball team builds on success with 14-2 rout
Indiana State’s baseball victory over Alcorn State on Friday would take on more meaning Saturday if the Sycamores could build momentum and pick up on the good work they did in Friday’s ninth-inning rally.
Mission accomplished.
The Sycamores were aggressive from the opening inning at the plate and starting pitcher Devin Moore gave them eight valuable and effective innings on the mound as ISU defeated Alcorn State 14-2 at Bob Warn Field.
“It was a really good experience for everybody. It felt great to finally come out here and put some things together. It’s also really nice when your offense puts a lot of runs on the board,” Moore said.
Moore’s eight innings of work were as valuable as gold to an ISU team that is short on quality arms due to injury and ineffectiveness. He didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning and one of the two runs he conceded was unearned. -
Johnson, Lyke win MVC titles for ISU
Indiana State’s Felisha Johnson and Maurice Lyke were both crowned Missouri Valley Conference champions on Saturday during the MVC Track and Field Championships at Drake University.
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ISU earns badly-needed win
Alcorn State’s baseball team might be ranked in the bottom 10 in RPI and Indiana State might have never lost to a Southwestern Athletic Conference team. So it wouldn’t appear that a quality win was in the offing when Alcorn State visited Bob Warn Field on Friday.
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Metro roundup: RHIT’s Evans sets Div. III record in high jump
For the third time this season, Rose-Hulman senior Liz Evans topped the NCAA Division III all-time national record in the outdoor high jump Friday night.
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ISU’s Mascari and Hope win MVC track & field titles
Indiana State produced two champions during the opening day of action in the Missouri Valley Conference track and field championships Friday at Drake. Freshman John Mascari, a Terre Haute native, won the men’s 10,000-meter race and Nicole Hope won the women’s pole vault for the second time in three seasons.
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ISU pole vault tradition continues with help from its author
Pole vault is track and field for the adrenaline junkie, Indiana State senior Nicole Hope proclaimed during a recent practice at Marks Field.
To catapult oneself about 14 feet into the air with a large $500 fiberglass pole on a daily basis is a risky endeavor.
“We have to be fearless. You can’t be afraid at all,” said Hope, who has also catapulted herself into the NCAA’s elite in the event, ranking 15th in the NCAA with her leap of 13-feet, 9 1/4. -
Sycamores searching for answers after seventh loss in eight games
These are the bad times for the Indiana State baseball team.
The will is there for the Sycamores to pull out of their worst slump of the season, but the results are not. The suffering continued on Wednesday at Bob Warn Field as Eastern Illinois defeated ISU 5-3. -
METRO ROUNDUP: ISU men's track picked first in MVC Championships, women second
The Indiana State men’s track team has won the last two Missouri Valley Conference outdoor championships, but the women have not stood on the top podium since 1999.
That may change this year, but the Sycamores will face some stiff competition in their quest for the championships. -
North grad Welker helps Whitson earn first NCAA bid as coach
Eastern Kentucky girls golf coach Mike Whitson, an alumnus of his employer, enjoyed his stay in Terre Haute as coach of Indiana State, where he started the women’s golf program.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman wins HCAC all-sports trophy
Rose-Hulman has won the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference men’s all-sports trophy for the fifth time in the past six year, the league announced Monday.
Rose tallied 66.5 points for its finishes in 11 men’s sports, just ahead of Franklin with 66. Hanover was third with 53 points. -
METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman tennis falls in HCAC semifinal
Rose-Hulman’s hot streak in men’s tennis came to an end Saturday in the semifinal round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament at the West Indy Racquet Club.
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Manaea fights off bad hip, wet weather to toss four innings
Mother Nature has been the bane of the Indiana State baseball team’s existence all season. Eight games wiped due to weather are a testament to that. So it was no surprise, though no less disappointing, when she didn’t deal Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea the greatest hand on Saturday as he tries to recover from a hip injury.
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ISU track enjoys big night at IU's Billy Hayes Invitational
The Indiana State Sycamores either won or finished as the top collegian in 12 events, led by the record-breaking performance of senior Brandon Pounds at the 2013 Billy Hayes Invitational Friday at Indiana University.
Pounds broke his own school record to win the men’s hammer throw. -
Lansing looking for more home games for next fall
Indiana State’s men’s basketball team is looking for a few good games.
Home games that is.
The Sycamores have filled in most of the blanks in their nonconference schedule, but as ever, ISU coach Greg Lansing would like to visit the friendly confines of Hulman Center a bit more often. -
Secret weapon: Kelsey Rosselli finishing Woods career with a bang
At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, reporting game results to the Tribune-Star after a win or a loss is not always a high priority.
So when one of its athletes enjoys an outstanding season, like senior Kelsey Rosselli is doing for the Pomeroys’ softball team in 2013, media publicity doesn’t always follow.
In fact, her efforts almost seem like a government secret.
Rosselli’s name might sound familiar to longtime Terre Haute softball followers because she was a standout for North High School, from where she graduated in 2009.
Since then, she’s helped The Woods finish runner-up in three straight U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national tournaments in 2010, 2011 and 2012. -
ISU baseball gets back into rhythm with victory
Baseball is a rhythm game. With contests every day or five times a week in the case of many college programs, you have the chance to build on success or wallow in a slump.
Mother Nature took that rhythm away from Indiana State’s team last week. After a 7-1 loss to Indiana on April 24, ISU was supposed to play a three-game series at Tennessee-Martin, but it was wiped out by rain.
So the rhythm was disturbed, but perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing.
ISU was in a five-game losing streak before its unintended vacation and the Sycamores made a move in the right direction Wednesday with a 7-0 win over DePauw at Bob Warn Field.
“It was a disappointing weekend. We went all the way down to Tennessee and didn’t get to play. We sat around in the hotel room. We came here and it was still raining. It was nice to get out and see some live pitching,” ISU center fielder Landon Curry said. -
Metro roundup: ISU hands out spring awards
The Indiana State University athletic community, along with family, friends and fans, paused Tuesday night to honor the spring sports teams at the Terre Haute Savings Bank Spring Sports Banquet.
Most of the ISU teams are still in competition with the baseball team having 13 games left of its regular-season schedule before beginning the Missouri Valley Conference tournament May 21, the softball team with just three games left of the docket this coming weekend against Southern Illinois and the track and field program with just one more meet before beginning its postseason events.
The ISU women’s golf team is the team that has ended at this time, with the group recording a sixth-place finish at the MVC championships one week ago. - More College Headlines
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