BROOKINGS, S.D. – Rashad Rochelle returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown highlighting a three-touchdown day, and the Sycamore defense forced three turnovers as Indiana State topped No. 4/5 South Dakota State on Saturday afternoon at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, 24-12.
 
Rochelle scored on the 95-yard kickoff return and added touchdown receptions of 14 and 57 yards as the senior wide receiver recorded 179 total all-purpose yards in pacing the Sycamores (3-6, 1-4) to their first win over SDSU (7-2, 3-2) since Indiana State topped the Jackrabbits in Brookings back in 2011.
 
Keegan Patterson was 15-of-25 through the air for 188 yards and two touchdown passes in leading the Sycamore offense with Rochelle hauling in four receptions for 84 yards and the pair of scores. KeShon Singleton recorded five receptions for 40 yards through the air.
 
The Indiana State defensive efforts were led by Kimal Clark's 15 tackles, while Nic Yatsko added 14 stops, a forced fumble, and fumble recovery on a SDSU fake punt in the second quarter. Jorge Valdes added an interception in the end zone, while CJ Davis hauled in the final interception of the game on a deflected pass in the closing minutes to secure the Indiana State win.
 
Kaleb Harris finished with two of Indiana State's five sacks in the game as the Sycamores controlled the line of scrimmage against the SDSU offense. Clark, Logan Wilson, and Jayden Childers added QB takedowns, while Kolten Gajewski and Nathan Gonzales both finished with 1.5 tackles-for-loss apiece to lead the efforts at the line.
 
South Dakota State started the contest marching down the field and scoring on Eli Stader's 44-yard field goal attempt on the opening drive. Rochelle followed up by hauling in the ensuing kickoff return at the Indiana State five-yard line and went to work. He threaded the SDSU defense before finding a seam up the left sideline in front of the Sycamores' bench, before breaking loose for his first kickoff return for a touchdown while wearing the Indiana State Blue & White.
 
The teams swapped field goals before the break with Indiana State's Sebastian Lopez connecting on a 46-yard field goal early in the second quarter, while Stadler converted from 46 for SDSU at the 9:27 mark in the second quarter to send the game into the half with Indiana State leading 10-6.
 
The Sycamores added to the lead as Patterson found Rochelle on a wheel route down the right sideline for a 14-yard touchdown reception to stretch the Indiana State lead to 17-6 with 5:03 remaining in the third quarter.
 
SDSU continued to pressure the Sycamores as Luke Marble found Alex Bullock down the right sideline for a 27-yard touchdown pass with 8:36 remaining to cut the deficit down to 17-12. The Indiana State defense kept the margin after stopping the two-point conversion attempt.
 
After the teams swapped possessions with the Sycamores forcing a SDSU turnover on downs near midfield, due in part to Kaleb Harris' third-down batted ball at the line of scrimmage, the Indiana State offense went back to work. Patterson found Rochelle on a post route down the middle for a 57-yard touchdown pass to stretch the Sycamores' lead back to two scores at 24-12 with 3:06 to play.
 
SDSU mounted one final drive, advancing the ball past midfield in the closing minutes. However, Jack Henry's pass was batted up in the air by Lucas McAllister and Davis was able to catch the deflection before going to the turf to secure the Sycamores' third turnover of the game and allowed Indiana State to run out the clock.
 
Marbel was 17-of-29 for 181 yards and a touchdown for the SDSU offense with Bullock hauling in a team-high seven catches for 107 yards and a score. Josiah Johnson had 14 carries for 75 yards to pace the SDSU rushing attack.
 
Isaiah Johnson recorded seven tackles to lead the SDSU defense, while Logan Green had two tackles-for-loss and a quarterback hurry along the line of scrimmage.
 
Up Next
Indiana State returns to Memorial Stadium on Saturday, November 8, for a 1 p.m. kickoff against Illinois State. The game will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
 
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