Leatherneck rewind: Western Illinois wins second straight game, first as a Big South-OVC member

Western Illinois receiver Eli Aragon (2) led the Leathernecks with 10 catches for 129 yards and a 9-yard touchdown. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)

By Dan Verdun

After going 1,064 days between wins during a 27-game losing streak, Western Illinois picked up its second win in seven days this season.

The Leathernecks (2-3, 1-0) won their inaugural Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Association game with a 31-20 victory at Charleston Southern (1-4, 0-2).

“Really a three-phase game,” first-year WIU head coach Joe Davis said. “The offense did enough to win. The defense did enough to win. Special teams made enough plays to win.”

The last time WIU won two straight games was during the 2018 season when the Leathernecks posted a two-game and later a three-game winning streak. Western finished with a 5-6 record that fall.

Western Illinois intercepted CSU quarterback Rob McCoy twice in the first quarter – one by defensive end Jalen Riven and the other by linebacker Aidan Harrison, who returned his 38 yards for a touchdown.

“It was monumental to get those two early turnovers,” Davis said. “This is really the first game we’ve won the turnover battle.” 

Riven, making his first start, had four tackles and a sack.

“He was really stout on the edge,” Davis said.

Second-half step-up

Running back Cameren Smith and quarterback Nate Lamb came up big on the ground in the second half.

After rushing for just 16 rushing yards in the first half, Smith ran for 85 yards in the second half. 

Smith finished with 101 yards on 25 carries, his second straight game over 100 yards.

“We said at halftime (that) Cam Smith didn’t have enough touches,” Davis said. “To get him going in the second half was huge for our offense and huge for our program.”

Lamb broke away for some key third-down runs that resulted in Leatherneck first downs.

Meanwhile, Lamb threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns.

Transfer Eli Aragon was his top target, hauling in a season-high 10 receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown. It was Aragaon’s best performance since catching 14 passes in a California junior college game last season.

Charleston Southern rushed for 325 yards, marking the third time WIU has allowed more than 300 rushing yards in a game this season.

CSU running back Autavious Ison rushed for 229 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries.

Game changers

0:12, 1st quarter: Harrison returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown. The last time Western scored a defensive touchdown occurred on a Jalen Powe interception return against Southern Illinois in 2021.

0:29, 2nd quarter: Lamb threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Henry. Antonio Chadha kicked the extra point, boosting the WIU lead to 21-13.

11:07, 3rd quarter: Lamb connected with Aragon on a 9-yard TD pass. Chadha’s PAT lifted WIU to a 28-13 advantage.

Nifty ‘Necks

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

Lamb, QB: The senior completed 17 of 23 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Lamb also rushed for 29 net yards.

Aragon, WR: The junior college transfer caught a season-high 10 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

Juan DelaCruz, LB: The senior, who has missed multiple games this season with injury, led Western with 10 tackles, including one for loss.

What it means

Western Illinois, which played in the Gateway/Missouri Valley for 39 seasons, begins its Big South-OVC Association era with a victory.

What’s next?

Western Illinois returns to Hanson Field in Macomb for its Oct. 12 homecoming game with UT Martin in Big South-OVC action. Kickoff is at 3 p.m.

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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