Coprich, Illinois St. top Western Illinois 35-21

Published Oct. 5, 2013 8:19 p.m. ET

foxsports

Marshaun Coprich ran for a career-high three touchdowns as Illinois State pulled away from Western Illinois for a 35-21 win Saturday.

Illinois State (2-3, 1-1 Missouri Valley) broke a 21-21 tie in the middle of the fourth quarter with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Blake Winkler to Milton Colbert. Coprich then ran for a 24-yard score late in the fourth to extend the Redbirds' lead to 35-21. Coprich finished with 124 yards rushing, also a career high.

The Redbirds led 14-0 at halftime behind a 4-yard touchdown pass from Winkler to Chick Chatham and a 1-yard scoring run by Coprich. A 6-yard touchdown run by Coprich in the third quarter then gave Illinois State a 21-7 lead.

Western Illinois (3-3, 1-1) tied the game with touchdown passes from Trenton Norvell on its next two possessions. Norvell finished with three touchdown passes but was just 11 for 28 for 139 yards.