Leatherneck rewind: First-half momentum fizzles for Western in loss to rival ISU

Matthew Henry (0) hauls in one of his seven receptions Saturday in Western’s 51-34 loss at Illinois State. Henry led all receivers with 124 yards. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)

By Barry Bottino

NORMAL — The Western Illinois offense has shown brief flashes of success this season. On Saturday at Illinois State’s Hancock Stadium, those flashes ignited a strong first half.

But a blocked field goal that led at an ISU touchdown and two second-half turnovers by the Leathernecks (0-3) doused Western’s momentum in a 51-34 loss to the rival Redbirds. The defeat extended Western’s losing streak to 27 games.

“Before you win, you’ve got to learn how to compete,” first-year Western head coach Joe Davis said. “We had points in that game that we were very competitive in all three phases. But it was not consistently enough. Looking for that consistent competition is a step we need to take as a program.”

After No. 18 ISU (2-1) took a 14-0 lead after only 10 offensive plays and just over 3 minutes of possession, the Leathernecks tied the game on a 6-yard scoring run by quarterback Nathan Lamb and a 3-yard Lamb to Christian Anaya connection. Lamb added a 1-yard scoring run in the second quarter and WIU trailed only 24-21 at halftime.

“We came out strong,” said WIU receiver Matthew Henry, who led the game with seven receptions and 124 yards. “We just needed to stay patient.”

Lamb, in his third career start, began the game with a school-record 11-for-11 passing start and finished with 269 passing yards, 59 rushing yards and three touchdown runs, making him the first WIU player since Nikko Watson in 2015 to score three times on the ground. Lamb declined a postgame interview.

After Western scored on three drives of 75 or more yards in the first half, big plays hindered the Leathernecks.

Antonio Chadha’s 49-yard field-goal attempt on Western’s first drive of the second half was blocked then picked up by ISU linebacker Lavoise-Deonate McCoy, who returned it 58 yards for a TD and a 31-21 lead for the Redbirds. Two WIU drives later, Illinois State linebacker Tye Niekamp forced a Cameren Smith fumble that turned into another touchdown and a 44-28 ISU lead.

“We just have to play for all four quarters,” said Western linebacker Mike Newman, who had a career-high 14 tackles. “The D-line, the linebackers and the DBs, we just need to jell together. It’s going to come with guys getting the reps they need.”

In its three losses this season, Western has allowed 54, 77 and 51 points.

“One of the marks of turning around a football program is you’ve got to stop getting beat 50-6,” Davis said. “There are too many points, too many yards and too many third-down conversions. Defensively, we’ve got a lot to look at. The bar needs to be higher there.”

Game changers

12:35, 2nd quarter: After the Leathernecks fell behind 14-0, Lamb flipped a 3-yard scoring pass to Christian Anaya to tie the score.

11:55, 3rd quarter: A blocked field goal led to a 58-yard scoop and score by Illinois State LB Lavoise-Deontae McCoy and a 31-21 ISU lead.

0:34, 3rd quarter: With WIU driving at midfield, Illinois State LB Tye Niekamp forced a Cameren Smith fumble to give the Redbirds the ball back.

What it means

The Leathernecks lost for the third year in a row to Illinois State and extended their losing streak to 27 games.

Nifty ‘Necks

Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Western Illinois players in the game:

Henry, WR: Henry surpassed 100 yards by halftime and led all receivers Saturday in catches and yardage.

Lamb, QB: He rushed for three TDs, passed for another and was 24-for-34 passing for 269 yards.

Newman, LB: For the second time this season, Newman posted a career high in tackles.

News and notes

After converting only 23% of its third downs on offense in the first two weeks of the season, Western finished 8-for-16 Saturday while putting up 31 first downs, and outgaining ISU, 503-390. …. Smith led Western with 77 rushing yards and helped the team average 3.6 yards per carry. … The game was a reunion for WIU freshman running back Avery Knight. He played prep football at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz., with Illinois State freshman quarterback Beckham Pellant and ISU freshman wide receiver Dylan Lord.

What’s next?

WIU has a bye week Sept 21. The Leathernecks’ home opener is 6 p.m. Sept. 28 against D-II McKendree University.

 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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