Illinois State holds off Indiana State on Key Crowell's pick-6

Victor Dawson added a 3-yard touchdown run to help the 10th-ranked Redbirds improve to 6-2, while the defense held the visiting Sycamores scoreless from their opening touchdown until midway through the fourth quarter.

Oct 24, 2026 at 6:49 pm ET • 1 min read

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) Key Crowell's pick-6 provided what would be the winning points in Illinois State's 17-10 win over Indiana State on Saturday.

Crowell snagged Brady Allen's pass and raced 46 yards down the right side for a 17-7 halftime lead. The Redbirds' other points came on Michael Cosentino's 22-yard field goal and Victor Dawson's 3-yard touchdown run.

Indiana State (2-6, 0-4 Missouri Valley Football Conference) had a 7-0 lead on Allen's 8-yard TD toss to Jayden Reed but didn't score again until Sebastian Lopez's 23-yard field goal midway through the fourth.

Beckham Pellant threw for 174 yards for Illinois State (6-2, 2-2), ranked 10th in the Stats Perform FCS poll, but was picked off twice by Nic Yatsko.

Allen threw for 279 yards with a touchdown. Max McCool added 84 yards rushing and Reed 98 yards receiving on nine catches.

Indiana State: At Northern Iowa next Saturday.

Illinois State: Home against Murray State next Saturday.

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