enter that contest as the lone unbeaten team in conference

Durham, NH (SportsNetwork.com) - If ever there was doubt about the Missouri Valley Football Conference being the top conference in the FCS, Illinois State provided a reminder on Saturday. The Redbirds rallied past top-seeded New Hampshire, 21-18, with two fourth- quarter touchdowns in the FCS semifinals and gave the Missouri Valley both national finalists - a first for the division. The Jan. 10 title game in Frisco, Texas, will be a fitting and ironic end to the 24-team playoffs as it matches fifth-seeded Illinois State (13-1) against second-seeded North Dakota State (14-1), which will try to win an unprecedented fourth straight FCS title. The two teams were crowned Missouri Valley co- champions this season after not facing each other in the conferences unbalanced scheduling. Illinois State qualified for the championship game for the first time with a clutch fourth-quarter performance after being limited by UNH to only two field goals in the first three quarters. Running back Marshaun Coprich scored on a 2-yard run in the first minute of the fourth quarter to pull the Redbirds within 18-13. Quarterback Tre Roberson then capped their next possession with a go-ahead 47-yard touchdown run with 7:55 left. When Jon-Marc Anderson ran in the two-point conversion, they had a 21-18 lead. New Hampshire (12-2), the CAA Football champion, reached Illinois State territory on its next drive, but was stopped on downs with 4:08 remaining. Coach Brock Spacks Redbirds then converted two first downs to run out the clock. The Redbirds lived dangerously in their first-ever meeting with New Hampshire after having come into the game with a 40.5-point average. Roberson, a junior transfer from Indiana, had accounted for 36 total touchdowns in their first 13 games, but was limited to one touchdown run while totaling 373 yards (278 passing, 95 rushing). Coprich had rushed for over 100 yards in each game and entered with an FCS-high 2,089 yards and 26 touchdowns, but he was held to 79 yards on 24 carries. Under Sean McDonnell, who won the Eddie Robinson Award for the second time in his 16th season at UNH, the Wildcats had a 14-game winning streak and appeared to be in control of the game until Illinois State began to wear them down with bigger size and Robersons dual-threat skills. Their two touchdown drives went for 84 and 89 yards. Lechein Neblett was Robersons favorite target with eight receptions for 147 yards. Defensive end Teddy Corwin led the defense with a career-best 12 tackles, while defensive tackle Collin Keoshian added six stops, a sack, a tackle for loss and an interception of UNH quarterback Sean Goldrich. Goldrich was 19-for-33 for 214 yards, adding 17 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Nico Steriti rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while All-American wide receiver R.J. Harris had six receptions for 68 yards, but was helped off the field twice during the game. New Hampshire, appearing in the playoffs for the 11th straight season - the current active high - took a 15-6 lead into halftime after Illinois State was plagued by missed opportunities in the first half. The Redbirds reached the UNH red zone four times yet came away with only two field goals by Nick Aussieker, who also missed an attempt. The big mistake came late in the first quarter when at the end of an 8-yard run Roberson fumbled the ball away to UNH cornerback Dougie Moss while spinning into linebacker Akil Anderson at the 1-yard line. The Wildcats went on a 96-yard scoring drive from there and Steriti reached the Illinois State end zone on a 6-yard draw up the middle early in the second quarter. Andy Vailas then ran in the two-point conversion to put the Wildcats ahead 15-3. Earlier in the first quarter, New Hampshire took a 7-3 lead when Goldrich scrambled into the Redbirds end zone for a 3-yard score. Justin Bour Jersey . As they are wont to do, the Spurs made things real easy. The Spurs signed Parker to a multi-year contract extension on Friday, ensuring that the six-time All-Star point guard will be in the fold whether Duncan and Ginobili are able to continue their careers or not. Custom Miami Marlins Jerseys . - Nikita Jevpalovs scored 6:22 into the second overtime as the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada edged the visiting Rimouski Oceanic 2-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action. http://www.marlinsteamproshop.com/Marlins-Jeff-Locke-Kids-Jersey/ ." The tournament was set to be held Sept. 15-21 and would have been the first ATP tournament held in Israel since 1996. But amid Israels military campaign against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, ATP President Chris Kermode said "we do not feel we can proceed as planned given the situation in the region. Nick Wittgren Jersey . Solomon Elimimian did not make the trip with the team after suffering what appeared to be a right leg injury in the teams regular season finale against the Calgary Stampeders. Lewis Brinson Jersey Tempe, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Delon Wright made all 12 of his free throws and finished with 21 points and six assists as No. 8 Utah dismantled Arizona State 76-59 on Thursday. Jordan Loveridge tallied 14 points and eight rebounds and Brandon Taylor scored 13 for Utah (14-2, 4-0 Pac-12), which didnt look past its matchup with the Sun Devils before Saturdays showdown with 10th-ranked Arizona. Utah will enter that contest as the lone unbeaten team in conference play, though the Wildcats are 15-2 overall and will be in the friendly confines of McKale Center, where theyve won 31 straight games. Gerry Blakes paced ASU (8-9, 0-4) with 10 points. ASU never led, though it was within 13-12 following Shaquielle McKissics layup 8 1/2 minutes in. Loveriddge and Brekkott Chapman bookended an 8-0 run with 3s from there as Utah began to distance itself.dddddddddddd Blakes had a 3-point play for Arizona State before Utah scored 10 straight, increasing their lead to 31-15. Wright made six free throws in the final 1:09 of the half, which ended with the Utes in front by 17 points. The Sun Devils never threatened over the final 20 minutes. Game Notes Wright was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list ... Utah has won seven straight games ... ASU hasnt lost four straight games to open conference play since dropping 14 in a row in 2006-07, coach Herb Sendeks first season with the team ... Savon Goodman had nine points and 10 boards for ASU. ' ' '