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.
Indiana State University
SDSU’s rugged defense motivates ISU’s Bell
- Indiana State University
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Etherington, Moore happy to be with ISU basketball
Not even two weeks into their college experience, Indiana State freshmen men’s basketball players Alex Etherington and Demetrius Moore stood sentinel as 115 kids ran around them collecting basketballs and getting autographs at the Greg Lansing Basketball Camp on Thursday.
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ISU's Johnson invited to World University Games
Indiana State senior Felisha Johnson will be traveling the world this summer after being named to represent the United States in the women’s shot put at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia.
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FROM THE PRESS BOX: Close, but no cigar, theme for ISU sports in 2012-13
When I covered my first event of Indiana State’s 2012-13 season — ISU’s opening football game at Indiana — I was the first one in the press box at IU’s Memorial Stadium. I’m never the first one in the press box.
Maybe the prospect of ISU’s season had me so pumped that I decided to get it started close to three hours early? (Or more truthfully, maybe I was over-vigilent about predicted traffic horrors on the Indiana 46 bypass that never came to pass.) -
Q&A: ISU football coach Mike Sanford ready for fall
It’s hard to believe, but Mike Sanford has already been Indiana State’s football coach for six months.
Time flies, but Sanford’s task of preparing for his first season in charge of the Sycamores comes with few breaks. -
Rex streak ends at 7
The Terre Haute Rex table setters — Kyle Kempf and Tyler Wampler — had three of the team’s eight hits Friday at Bob Warn Field, but the Rex offense found itself in a big early deficit for the first time this season.
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Manaea’s selection puts ISU in spotlight
Once the stress and hang-wringing over where Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea might get drafted was over, the angst subsided and was replaced with a happier emotion. Pride.
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ISU’s Hope places 13th in NCAA pole vault
Indiana State senior Nicole Hope concluded her final competition of the 2013 outdoor season on Friday as she tied for 13th in the women’s pole vault at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
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Metro roundup: Former Sycamores take talents to CFL
Former Indiana State players Johnny Towalid and Justin Hilton were signed by teams in the Canadian Football League this week.
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Exit Minnesota, enter Oregon State on 2016 football schedule
When the Big Ten Conference implemented a nine-game football schedule starting in 2016 and discouraged members from playing Football Championship Subdivision teams, there was one game on Indiana State’s future schedule that was likely on borrowed time.
ISU’s scheduled game at Minnesota in 2016. -
ISU's Manaea selected 34th overall by Royals
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea selected 34th overall by the Kansas City Royals.
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ISU's Manaea is mystery man of MLB Draft
There is no consensus as to where Manaea might be drafted. Some experts still have him being chosen among the top 20 picks. Some don’t have him being picked in the first round at all.
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ISU's Johnson, Wise compete at NCAA nationals
Indiana State's Felisha Johnson and Katie Wise competed at the NCAA Track an Field Nationals at the University of Oregon.
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Sycamores ready for more NCAA track success
Five of the six Indiana State athletes in Eugene, Ore., already have had some memorable track and field careers for the Sycamores.
But they’ll go ahead and try to add to their list of accomplishments in the NCAA outdoor championships this weekend.
Dustin Betz has been a scorer and key piece of eight Missouri Valley Conference championship teams between track and cross country. He’ll compete today in the 3,000-meter steeplechase as the Sycamores’ second best in the event behind Jordan Fife. -
Mike Lucas joins ISU football staff
What traits do head football coaches seek out when they hire position coaches?
Indiana State football coach Mike Sanford provided insight into that question as he hired former Southeast Louisiana head coach Mike Lucas to his staff Tuesday. Lucas will be the Sycamores’ defensive line coach.
“You have to look at your staff and see what you need. I felt like in this particular case, I wanted an experienced defensive line coach. I feel like we have a mixture of experience and youth and I want to keep that going,” Sanford said. -
Sycamores bow out of MVC Tournament
Indiana State’s baseball was out of pitching, and after a loss to Wichita State on Thursday, the Sycamores were out of second-chances too at the Missouri Valley Conference baseball tournament. What the Sycamores weren’t out of was heart, guts and clutch performances from some unlikely sources. But in the end, Friday’s elimination game rematch against the Shockers was a sampling of ISU’s season overall — the Sycamores were out of luck.
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Four Indiana State athletes advance to NCAA outdoor track and field championships
Three Indiana State seniors and a freshman have punched their tickets to the NCAA outdoor track and field championships in two weeks at Eugene, Ore., with their Friday efforts in the 2013 NCAA East Preliminary at Aggie Stadium on the campus of North Carolina A&T.
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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 sending largest group yet 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. -
Indiana State to host 2014 MVC baseball tourney
Build it… and they will come. The Missouri Valley Conference and Indiana State University made that famous line from the movie “Fields Of Dreams” reality Thursday.
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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. -
TODD GOLDEN: Don't give up on ISU baseball just yet
If you had to pick one word that would describe the 2013 Indiana State baseball season, it would have to be frustration.
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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. -
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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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. -
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. -
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. - More Indiana State University Headlines
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Etherington, Moore happy to be with ISU basketball
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