Western Illinois quarterback Matt Morrissey runs away from a Missouri State defender Saturday in Macomb. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
In its first three games of the season, Western Illinois did not commit a single turnover.
Saturday in Macomb, the Leathernecks threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles, which led to a 48-7 Missouri Valley Football Conference loss to Missouri State.
Western (0-6 overall, 0-3 MVFC) now has nine turnovers in the last three weeks, which have led to three losses by a combined score of 134-34.
The Leathernecks were trailing 10-0 before quarterback Matt Morrissey hit wide receiver Donald McKinney with a 32-yard scoring pass early in the second quarter to pull WIU within three points.
Giving away the ball proved costly for Western as Missouri State (2-4, 1-2) score 38 consecutive points to roll to victory.
Offensively, WIU allowed five sacks and rushed for only 55 yards on 30 carries.
Game changers
10:44, 2nd quarter: Donald McKinney caught a 32-yard scoring pass from Matt Morrissey to help Western close the Missouri State lead to 10-7.
6:23, 2nd quarter: MSU’s Jacardia Wright scored on a 5-yard TD run on fourth down to start a string of 38 consecutive points for the Bears.
7:59, 4th quarter: MSU linebacker Steven Ward returns a fumble – the fourth WIU turnover – 69 yards for the Bears’ final touchdown.
What it means
The Leathernecks lost their 19th consecutive game, dating back to November 2021.
Nifty ‘Necks
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Leatherneck players in the game:
Jaylin Jackson, WR: Over the last four weeks, the WIU senior has 27 catches. He grabbed six receptions Saturday for a team-high 61 yards.
Morrissey, QB: He passed for more than 200 yards for the fifth time in six games this season, completing 23 of 32 passes for 213 yards.
Ryan Crandall, LB: The sophomore led Western with nine tackles in the game.
What’s next?
The schedule gets no easier for the Leathernecks. They travel Oct. 21 to Fargo for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff against MVFC foe North Dakota State.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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