NORMAL — Bryce Jefferson passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two more Saturday as the Illinois State football team throttled Butler, 49-7, before a crowd of 8,148 in the season opener at Hancock Stadium.
The win was the 86th career victory for ISU coach Brock Spack to tie the school record originally set by Edwin Struck.
The Redbirds built on a 21-7 halftime edge with 21 third-quarter points on a 5-yard Jefferson scoring rush, a 20-yard TD strike from Jefferson to tight end Bryson Deming and an 80-yard sprint into the end zone by Cole Mueller.
Jefferson tacked on ISU’s final touchdown with a 14-yard scramble up the middle on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Jefferson found Austin Nagel with a 44-yard touchdown pass late in the first half for a 21-7 margin.
ISU tailback Nigel White opened the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown jaunt in the first quarter.
The Redbirds went ahead 14-0 after a 1-yard scoring surge from Mueller, who finished with 111 yards on eight carries.
Butler held the ball for 17 plays and 10 minutes in the second quarter. The Bulldogs dented the scoreboard on fourth-and-goal with a 1-yard scoring pass from Bret Bushka to Jared Suchevits.
Jefferson completed 8 of 17 passes for 193 yards. Nagel covered 69 yards on two receptions and Kacper Rutkiewicz 57 yards on a pair of catches.
Kevin Brown added 81 yards on the ground on just six attempts.
Braden Price intercepted two passes and Clayton Isbell one for ISU.
Redbird linebacker Shanon Reid was penalized for targeting in the second quarter and ejected.
PHOTOS: Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
The Illinois State football team enters the final game of the season trying to end on a positive.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State Peyton Asche (62) and Drew Bones (70) celebrate Nigel White's touchdown against Butler.
CLAY JACKSON PANTAGRAPH
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State linebacker Brandon Simon wraps up Butler QB Bret Bushka last Saturday. Simon and the ISU defense will have to step up this week against Western Michigan.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State linebacker Brandon Simon brings down Butler QB Bret Bushka last Saturday. Simon and the ISU defense will have to step up this week against Western Michigan.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State's Bryce Jefferson reaches out to hand the ball off during the Redbirds' game with Butler.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Bryce Jefferson (5) and the Illinois State offensive line amassed nearly 500 yards of offense against Butler.
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Illinois State's Bryce Jefferson runs the ball during the Redbirds' win against Butler on Saturday.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State's Bryce Jefferson (5) is set to return from injury when the Redbirds return to play after a bye week.
CLAY JACKSON, PANTAGRAPH
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Illinois State University wins 49-7 over Butler on Saturday, September 4, 2021., at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
CLAY JACKSON HERALD & REVIEW
Contact Randy Reinhardt at (309) 820-3403. Follow him on Twitter: pg_reinhardt
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