NORMAL, Ill.—Illinois State senior running back Marshaun Coprich carried 30 times for 251 yards and scored four touchdowns in snowy and windy conditions to lead the sixth-ranked Redbirds to a 46-0 win against South Dakota Saturday at Hancock Stadium.
 
Coprich, the nation's third-leading rusher, scored touchdowns on runs of 12, 45, 12 and 74 yards to essentially wrap up his second consecutive Missouri Valley Offensive Player of the Year Award. Illinois State (9-2, 7-1 MVFC) wrapped up at least a share of its second straight Valley championship. The defending national runner-up Redbirds will likely be a top-eight seed when tomorrow's FCS playoff field is announced.
 
South Dakota (5-6, 3-5) completed 4 of 23 passes and totaled 155 yards against a defense that was allowing 380 on average entering the weekend. The Coyotes played without leading receiver Brandt Van Roekel and had leading rusher Michael Fredrick carry five times for nine yards. South Dakota was shut out for the first time since the season opener at Kansas State.
 
Illinois State quarterback Tre Roberson completed 2 of 8 passes for 40 yards, but ran for 121 on 11 carries. His 80-yard touchdown run with 4:12 to go in the third quarter gave the Redbirds a 36-0 lead.
 
Illinois State scored touchdowns on all three second quarter possessions against a strong wind to take a 23-0 lead into halftime. The Coyotes fumbled the opening kickoff to the second half and four players later, Coprich was in the end zone for the third time to make it 30-0.
 
South Dakota went without a first down on nine of its 13 drives. Junior fullback Drew Potter earned his first handoffs of the season and led the Coyotes with 76 yards rushing on 15 carries. Backup quarterback Brian Woodward, who rotated in and out with starter Ryan Saeger all game, ran 10 times for 44 yards. The Coyotes' best chance at a score was a dropped 32-yard touchdown pass in the end zone on the final play of the third quarter.
 
Senior linebacker Keyen Lage led the Coyotes in tackles for the sixth time this season. His eight stops give him 249 during his four-year career, the fourth-most by a Coyote since 2000. Senior defensive tackle Nick Jacobs got his fourth collegiate sack and had two other tackles.