Matt Henry turns upfield with a reception Saturday in Macomb for Western Illinois in the Leathernecks’ 45-17 loss to UT Martin. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
The two-game Western Illinois winning streak ended Saturday in Macomb in frustrating fashion, 45-17, to Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association power UT Martin.
The Leathernecks (2-4 overall, 1-1 Big South-OVC) allowed 38 unanswered points after a first-quarter field goal and were outgained 306-40 on the ground.
“We just did not come out with the energy necessary for a conference game at home … just disappointed,” WIU head coach Joe Davis said. “We gave up plays on defense that put us in a massive hole that was hard to get out of.”
After Western kicker Antonio Chadha booted a 47-yard field goal late in the second quarter to trim Martin’s lead to 7-3, the Skyhawks (4-3, 2-1) scored 38 consecutive points. Three of Martin’s first-half touchdowns were 20 yards or longer.
The Skyhawks used Vanderbilt transfer running back Patrick Smith to dominate on the ground. Smith rushed for 145 yards and a 10-yard, third-quarter touchdown.
“UT Martin did a nice job being physical at the point of attack,” Davis said. “We did not match their physicality from the jump.”
Meanwhile, Western leading rusher Cameren Smith managed 27 yards on 13 carries as WIU rushed for only 40 yards.
“We had difficulty getting him going and it hindered any ability to get anything going on offense,” Davis said.
Three different Western QBs combined to pass for 254 yards and a touchdown.
Game changers
13:57, 1st quarter: Just over a minute into Saturday’s game, Martin scored on a 48-yard pass from Kinkead Dent to Max Dowling.
12:29, 4th quarter: UT Martin kicker Jaren Van Winkle’s 23-yard field goal gave the Skyhawks 38 unanswered points since the first quarter.
1:25, 4th quarter: Demari Davis caught his first touchdown of the season, a 20-yard grab late in the game.
What it means
Western’s two-game win streak is over. They will look to start a new streak at home next Saturday.
Nifty ‘Necks
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Western Illinois players in the game:
Tristin Duncan, WR: The Effingham High School grad led all receivers with 45 receiving yards on four catches in the game.
Nathan Lamb, QB: The senior QB threw for 158 yards on 20-for-33 passing.
Noah Epley, LB: The senior linebacker had a game-high nine tackles and a pass breakup.
What’s next?
Western continues conference play Oct. 19 with a 3 p.m. home game against Tennessee Tech.
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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