MACOMB - It's not a particularly positive habit the Illinois State football team has developed.

ISU has endured a 10-0 first-quarter deficit to Eastern Illinois, squandered a 14-point first-half lead against Murray State, trailed Southern Illinois 10-7 in the second quarter and finally stared at a 14-3 hole against Western Illinois.

Yet another ISU habit has proven much more profitable. The No. 3-ranked Redbirds shook off early adversity to finish strong yet again Saturday in a 27-14 victory over Western at Hanson Field.

"There was never any panic or despair on our sideline or in our huddle," ISU coach Denver Johnson said after his team won its sixth straight game to improve to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Gateway Conference. "We had to get our arms around what they were doing. We were adjusting on the run. I continue to be impressed with our team and our coaching staff."

The Redbirds scored two touchdowns in the final eight minutes of the first half for a 17-14 edge Saturday and controlled the second half. Dating back to last season, ISU has won four consecutive conference road games for the first time since joining the Gateway in 1985.

"We've had a lot of games where we've been down early," quarterback Luke Drone said. "We stayed composed. No one was fretting."

According to Drone, it took the Redbirds awhile to get a solid read on the Western defense.

"We shouldn't have been down 14-3. All they had against us was confusion," said Drone, who completed 14 of 20 passes for 179 yards. "We had no idea what they were going to come out in. Once we got it figured out, we just executed our stuff."

A junior, Drone moved past Dusty Burk into third place on ISU's career passing list Saturday. Drone has passed for 4,531 yards. Kevin Glenn is the team's career leader with 8,251 yards. John Coppens is second at 6,238.

After a shaky start, the ISU defense also found its way. The Redbirds limited Western tailback Herb Donaldson, who had been averaging 111 rushing yards per game, to 45 yards on 11 carries.

"They had a lot of hats to the ball," Donaldson said. "They got off their blocks well."

Linebackers Kye Stewart and Cameron Siskowic paced ISU with 12 and 11 tackles, respectively.

Western payback, part two

ISU disposed of its second Gateway nemesis Saturday. Both Western Kentucky and Western Illinois owned five straight victories over the Redbirds entering the season.

"Coach (David) Ross said at Western Kentucky 'this is the year we're breaking down barriers,' " said ISU linebacker Niall Campbell. "This was another barrier broken down."

Robinson rests

With tendinitis, a sprain and a bone bruise all in or around the same ankle, ISU receiver Laurent Robinson did not suit up Saturday. He hopes to return for next Saturday's 1:30 p.m. home game against Youngstown State.

No. 3 and holding

ISU will likely stay at No. 3 in next week's Division I-AA national rankings unless voters are swayed by the close calls of No. 1 Appalachian State and No. 2 Montana Saturday.

Appalachian State needed two overtimes to overcome Georgia Southern, 27-20, and Montana outlasted Weber State, 33-30.