It wasn’t supposed to happen. Not with North Alabama entering as an unranked underdog on the road against the No. 4 team in the FCS. Not with Illinois State riding a two-game winning streak and hosting FAMILY WEEKEND in front of a roaring crowd at Hancock Stadium. But with 15 seconds left in regulation, Ari Patu — the Lions’ backup quarterback who’d only taken over in the second quarter — fired a 25-yard laser to KJ Fields, who juggled the ball, fought through contact, and somehow held on. 27-27. The stadium fell silent. The Lions had clawed back from a 24-point deficit. And for a moment, it felt like history was within reach.
A Comeback Forged in Fire
North Alabama’s season had been a grind. After opening with a 55-6 thrashing at Western Kentucky, followed by a 30-21 loss at Southeast Missouri, the Lions had finally found their footing with a 49-21 win over Northeastern State at home. But this? This was different. Facing the Illinois State Redbirds — a team ranked fourth nationally and loaded with NFL-caliber talent — the Lions were outclassed early. Running back Wenkers Wright blasted through for a 38-yard touchdown. Quarterback Rittenhouse found Luke Mailander for a 10-yard score. By halftime, it was 24-0. Fans were already planning their post-game BBQs.Then came the switch. Head coach Brent Dearmon benched the struggling starter and inserted Patu, a sophomore with a cannon arm and ice in his veins. Patu didn’t just move the chains — he moved mountains. His first drive ended with a 23-yard strike to Fields. His second? A 14-play, 82-yard march capped by Jayvian Allen’s one-yard plunge. The Lions weren’t just scoring — they were screaming.
Defense Holds, Kicker Delivers
The turning point came with 6:11 left in the second quarter. Illinois State, driving inside the 5-yard line, looked poised to go up 31-7. But Tango McCauley Jr. stuffed the runner on third down. On fourth, a holding penalty wiped out a touchdown. Then came the kicker — Matt Maldonado — missing a 37-yard field goal. The momentum had shifted. The Redbirds were rattled.By the fourth quarter, North Alabama was within striking distance. Maldonado, though, answered with a 51-yard field goal — a career-long boot that made it 27-21 with three minutes left. Patu didn’t flinch. He led a two-minute drill for the ages: 11 plays, 75 yards, no timeouts. The final pass to Fields? A miracle catch. The crowd, once deafening, was now a held breath.
Double Overtime: The Heartbreak
In overtime, Illinois State got the ball first. After a 12-yard run and a 7-yard pass, Maldonado stepped up again — this time for a 24-yard field goal. 30-27. North Alabama answered with a 15-yard run by Allen and a Patu sneak for the touchdown. 33-30. The Redbirds, now desperate, went for two. A quick slant to Mailander tied it at 33. Double overtime.North Alabama’s drive stalled at the 15-yard line. A sack pushed them back. On fourth-and-12, Patu’s pass fell incomplete. Illinois State got the ball again. This time, they didn’t settle. On first down, Wright broke free for 18 yards. On second, a screen to wideout DeShawn Jones gained 12. Then, with 12 seconds left, Maldonado lined up for a 35-yarder. The snap. The hold. The kick. True. 38-36.
The Redbirds poured onto the field. The Lions stood frozen. Patu dropped to his knees. Fields stared at the scoreboard. No one moved for ten seconds.
What This Means
For North Alabama, this wasn’t just a loss. It was a statement. They didn’t just compete with a top-five FCS team — they outplayed them for three quarters. Patu finished with 287 yards and three touchdowns. Fields had 11 catches for 142 yards and two scores. Allen rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns. The defense forced three turnovers and held Illinois State to just 10 points in the second half.For Illinois State, it was a wake-up call. They survived — barely. The Redbirds now face North Dakota State next week, the defending national champions, in a WHITEOUT game that will test whether they’re truly elite or just lucky to be 3-1.
North Alabama’s season isn’t over. They’re 1-3, yes — but they’re no longer a team to be ignored. Their next game? A road trip to face Abilene Christian — ranked #19/#23 — on October 4. If they play like they did in Normal, they’ll be competitive. Maybe even dangerous.
Behind the Numbers
- North Alabama’s 36 points were the most allowed by Illinois State since 2021. - Patu’s 287 passing yards were the most by a Lions QB since 2023. - Maldonado’s 51-yard field goal was the longest by any FCS kicker this season. - The 38-36 final score was the closest game between an unranked team and a top-five FCS team since 2022.There’s a reason fans still talk about the 2016 game when North Dakota State nearly lost to North Alabama — a game that never happened, but nearly did. This one did. And it will be remembered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ari Patu perform under pressure in his first major start?
Ari Patu delivered one of the most clutch performances by a FCS quarterback this season. After entering the game trailing 24-0, he completed 24 of 35 passes for 287 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. His two-minute drive to tie the game with 15 seconds left was textbook poise — including a 25-yard touchdown pass to KJ Fields that required a miraculous catch. His QBR for the game was 92.1, the highest of any FCS QB in Week 4.
Why was Matt Maldonado’s 51-yard field goal so significant?
Maldonado’s 51-yarder was not only a career-best, but the longest field goal made in the FCS this season. It came with three minutes left in regulation, turning a six-point deficit into a three-point lead and shifting momentum back to Illinois State. It also marked the first time since 2021 that a Redbirds kicker had made a field goal over 50 yards in a road game. His 8-for-8 on field goals this season has been a quiet anchor for the team.
What does this loss mean for North Alabama’s playoff chances?
Technically, North Alabama’s playoff hopes are slim — they need to win all remaining games and hope for a major collapse among top teams. But this performance, especially against a top-5 FCS opponent, gives them serious resume value. If they beat Abilene Christian and win out, they could still make a case for an at-large bid, especially if they finish with a 7-4 record and a win over a ranked team on the road.
How did Illinois State survive despite poor offensive efficiency?
Illinois State won because of discipline and execution under pressure. Despite averaging just 4.8 yards per play in the second half, they didn’t turn the ball over. Their defense held North Alabama to 3-of-11 on third downs in overtime. And crucially, kicker Matt Maldonado was perfect — 4-for-4 on field goals, including the game-winner. In FCS football, one reliable kicker can be the difference between a win and a collapse.
What’s next for both teams after this game?
North Alabama travels to face #19/#23 Abilene Christian on October 4 — a team that’s averaged 41 points per game this season. Illinois State hosts #1 North Dakota State on the same day in a WHITEOUT game that could determine their conference title hopes. For the Redbirds, beating the Bison is a must. For the Lions, beating Abilene Christian could be the spark that turns their season around.
Write a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *