BOONE, N.C. -- Matt Brown threw for five touchdowns and 322 yards and Illinois State blocked the game-tying PAT in overtime to beat Appalachian State 38-37 Saturday in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
Brown, who was voted 2012 Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year, was 20-of-32 passing for the Redbirds, who made their first playoff appearance since 2006 and handed Appalachian State (8-4) its third-straight postseason loss.
Illinois State (9-3) entered the fourth quarter with a 28-17 lead but Appalachian State outscored the Redbirds 14-3 in the quarter to send the game into overtime.
After Brown threw his fifth touchdown of the day -- a 25-yarder to James O'Shaughnessy that gave Illinois State a 38-31 overtime lead -- Jamal Jackson and Appalachian State answered three plays later with a touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 38-37.
However, Illinois State blocked the ensuing PAT kick to seal the win.
