NORMAL, Ill.  -   Redshirt-freshman quarterback Wil Lunt threw for a career-best 188 yards and a touchdown, but Illinois State's league-record six field goals defeated Western Illinois, 25-7.

“I would start by saying congratulations to Illinois State,” Western Illinois acting head coach Mark Hendrickson said. “I'm proud of our Western Illinois players for never quitting. It was a very good effort from the defense, the offense was inconsistent and the Redbirds deserved to win the football game.”

Avoiding a shutout late in the third quarter, Wil Lunt hit Lito Senatus for a six-yard touchdown completion, capping a seven play, 80-yard drive over 2:59. Lunt threw 4-for-4 to Senatus in the drive with a long of 20 yards to Terriun Crump. Senatus was also responsible for the final first down of the series as he rushed for 14 yards.

The Redbirds (5-4, 4-2 MVFC) opened the second quarter with their only touchdown of the game as they capitalized on an eight play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Cliffton Gordon. After a three-and-out by the Fighting Leathernecks (1-8, 0-6 MVFC), kicker Zach Kutch hit a 32-yard field goal at the 5:48 mark for a 10-0 Redbird lead.

Western worked to steal the momentum as senior Patrick Stoudamire blocked Kutch's second field goal attempt with 2:21 remaining in the first half. The Redbirds closed out the half with Kutch hitting a career-long 48-yard field goal to enter the locker room with a 13-0 lead.

Kutch took responsibility for 18 of Illinois State's points with a Missouri Valley Football Conference record of six field goals. Neither team put a score on the board in the first or last quarter.

Illinois State's Gordon led the ground game with 124 of the Redbirds' total 164 yards rushing. Dre Gibbs was held to a season-low 32 yards rushing. Matt Brown threw for 223 yards and went 18-for-37, while Lunt completed 19-of-36 with two picks. Crump had a season-best 65 yards receiving, while Senatus led Western's receiving game with 83 yards.

“The Redbird defense kept us from scoring on the second drive of the game, which is usually a drive we score on,” Hendrickson said. “We do have a freshman quarterback and if we give him enough time, he throws well. Give Illinois State's defensive line credit for that.”

Brandon Kreczmer led Western's defensive effots with 14 total tackles, including a half a tackle for loss. Kyle Glazier chipped in another 13 tackles and Mike Garoppolo had a sack for a loss of 15 yards.

The Leathernecks head to Cedar Falls, Iowa for a 6:35 p.m. kickoff against Northern Iowa in the UNI-Dome, Saturday, Nov. 14.