NORMAL — In its first full game without 2021 leading rusher Cole Mueller, Illinois State found an effective running attack.
But that success did not come until the second half of ISU’s 28-21 win over Valparaiso on Saturday at Hancock Stadium.
Limited to 33 first-half rushing yards, the Redbirds piled up 96 yards on the ground after halftime with Wenkers Wright netting 85 of his 101 yards over the final two quarters.
“I’m pretty happy the way Wenkers ran the second half,” ISU coach Brock Spack said. “Wenkers is a tough, downhill back. We got him in a little better situations a couple times in the second half to get some yardage out of him.