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Watch now: Waring's TD pass lifts Illinois State to OT victory over No. 13 Northern Iowa

NORMAL — For most of Saturday's game, Illinois State played it ultra-conservative on offense. The Redbirds remembered the turnovers that plagued them a week ago in a loss at lowly Western Illinois and didn't want a repeat.

But when No. 13-ranked Northern Iowa rallied in the fourth quarter to force overtime at Hancock Stadium, it was time for freshman quarterback Jackson Waring to cut it loose.

"They were in quarters, and the safety changed up the coverage to cover-2," said Waring. "That stem corner came open, and I decided to let it fly.