Leatherneck rewind: Nationally ranked Northern Iowa topples Western Illinois

Cordell Wilson (31) and K.J. Coleman (12) combine on a tackle for Western Illinois Saturday against Northern Iowa. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)

By Dan Verdun

Things started bad and got far worse for Western Illinois Saturday in its final trip to Northern Iowa in Missouri Valley Football Conference action.

The Leathernecks gave up a touchdown on their first defensive drive and found themselves down three scores by the end of the first quarter.

By the game’s conclusion, WIU (0-9, 0-6) had suffered its 22nd straight loss dating back two years. Meanwhile, No. 23 Northern Iowa (6-3, 5-1) boosted its playoff resume with a 50-6 win.

UNI finished with 476 total yards on 60 plays.  The Panthers rolled up a season-high 225 rushing yards.

WIU totaled 144 yards with quarterback Matt Morrissey throwing for 127 yards.

The game marked the final meeting between the MVFC members as Western Illinois will move to the Ohio Valley Conference next fall.

UNI extended its lead in the series to 36-16, including a 19-8 record at home.

Game changers 

9:52, 1st quarter: WIU thwarted an early Northern Iowa scoring threat when defensive back K.J. Coleman stripped receiver Jaiden Ellis-Lahey of the ball. Fellow Western defensive back J.J. Ross recovered on the Leatherneck 8-yard line.

6:34, 4th quarter: Facing a third-and-11, WIU receiver Jay Parker reeled in a 16-yard reception for a Leatherneck first down.

1:49, 4th quarter: Western avoided the shutout when Morrissey completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Tajh Sanders.

What it means 

The defeat extends Western’s losing string to 22 games, the longest such streak in FCS.

Nifty ‘Necks 

Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Leatherneck players in the game: 

Parker, WR: The Nashville native had a game-high nine receptions for 64 yards.

Coleman, DB: He led WIU with 10 tackles, seven of which were solo, and a forced a fumble.

Ryan Crandall, LB: The sophomore had six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

What’s next?  

Western travels to Indiana State for a Nov. 11 game. Like WIU, the Sycamores (0-9, 0-6) are winless this season.

Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.

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