The Western Illinois offense managed only 121 yards Friday night and eight first downs in a 77-3 loss to Indiana. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
Under the lights Friday night in Bloomington, Ind., the Big Ten’s Indiana Hoosiers stole the spotlight early and often against Western Illinois.
The Leathernecks allowed 701 total yards as Indiana scored touchdowns on its first six drives of the game in a 77-3 victory. The scoring total broke an Indiana school record for points in a game that was set in 1901.
The loss was the 26th in a row for the Leathernecks (0-2). Indiana improved to 2-0.
Western allowed scoring plays of 38, 71 and 19 yards in the first quarter, falling behind 28-0.
“Preventing the big plays just continues to be a problem for us here early in the season,” first-year WIU head coach Joe Davis said. “We’ve got a lot to look at, as we start the FCS portion of our schedule, when it comes to personnel and scheme is just making sure we have the right players in the right spots.”
In the second half, Western gave up a 69-yard scoring pass and a 47-yard TD run, along with an interception return for a touchdown.
On offense, the Leathernecks struggled to sustain drives. Their initial first down of the night came with 1:51 remaining in the second quarter. For the game, only three of WIU’s 13 drives lasted longer than four plays.
Friday’s loss followed a season-opening 54-15 defeat against FBS Northern Illinois last week.
“We’re still searching for the right pieces in the right spots,” Davis said. “To get off to such a slow start for two weeks in a row and not generate any momentum on either side of the ball just puts us in such a massive hole early that it’s hard to get yourself out of.”
Davis said a big priority this week, heading into a rivalry game at Illinois State, will be on a deep dive into the last two games.
“As a coaching staff, looking at personnel, looking at scheme and seeing what is the best fit and who are the best people to put out there next Saturday will be important for us this week,” he said.
Game changers
7:40, 2nd quarter: Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke scored on a 1-yard plunge to give the Hoosiers six TDs on their first six drives.
0:34, 2nd quarter: Antonio Chadha’s 31-yard field goal for Western – his third make of the season – gave WIU its first points of the game.
9:10, 4th quarter: Freshman WR Charlie Baker scored on a 3-yard run to give Indiana its record point total.
What it means
Western Illinois is still seeking its first victory since Oct. 30, 2021 when WIU beat Illinois State, 38-31.
Nifty ‘Necks
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top Western Illinois players in the game:
Christian Pierce, DB and Ryan Crandall, LB: Both Western defenders had a game-high 11 tackles for the Leathernecks.
Chadha, K: The Western Kentucky transfer made his third field goal of the season, a 31-yarder just before halftime.
Christian Anaya, WR: The junior from Arizona led the Leathernecks with five receptions for 56 yards.
What’s next?
The Leathernecks continue their three-game, season-opening road swing with a trip to Illinois State. Kickoff is at noon on Sept. 14.
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.
Find us on social media!
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Instagram: Prairiestatepigskin
Prairie State Pigskin 
Leave a comment