This was a good result for Marquette against a tough Illinois State team. Five minutes into the game ISU lost control of a lineout near their tryline, and Marquette snagged the ball and lock Graham Pierce burst through. ISU then took a yellow card for a high tackle, and Marquette punished that infraction quickly. They kicked for the lineout, spun it wide, and wing Gavyn Damico was over. Despite the brisk, swirling winds, the converted was hit and that made it 12-0.
The cards were shown again as Marquette got a card for a dangerous tackle, and that put Marquette at a disadvantage. Illinois State started to get a little bit more momentum and much of that was de to the work of hooker AJ Williams. He was able to steal a few Marquette put-ins at the scrum and lead the ISU scrum to drive Marquette back. Williams also payed solid defense.
Still ISU was unable to get any points and the half ended with Marquette up 12-0.
In the second half, Illinois State was playing with the wind, but opted not to kick and use that wind. Instead Marquette built on their lead when center Nick Wallerstein scooped up a low pass and then hiked it through his legs to Damico on the wing, and he raced in for his second try of the day.
Illinois State was able to answer with a good sequence of controlling the ball and continuity, and finally center Derek Carlson powered through. That made it 17-7. Marquette's response was to pin ISU in their end and put the Redbirds under pressure. That resulted in a wayward pass that flanker Peter Curran pounced on to score the try. Marquette now led 22-7.
They added to that with one more try to seal the game 27-7.
"We played a lot of defense for most of the game," said Marquette Coach Gabe Cesarini. "But we held fast with our defensive line speed and sure tackles. We are proud of how the boys played today."
—Additional reporting from Brian White
