Linebacker Ryan Crandall (13) had six tackles Saturday for Western Illinois as the Leathernecks beat Tennessee Tech, 37-21. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
As Western Illinois players celebrated Saturday’s 37-21 victory against Tennessee Tech, ESPN’s cameras showed veteran linebacker Juan DelaCruz give senior quarterback Nate Lamb a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
For two players who endured Western’s 27-game losing streak that ended earlier this season, winning has created plenty of joy.
While Lamb and the offense piled up 446 yards and was 8-for-17 on third down, DelaCruz and the defense collected five sacks and three turnovers to lift Western (3-4) to a 2-1 record in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association.
“Football is a game of very many moving parts,” WIU head coach Joe Davis said. “It was a complete effort by our team. Today was a really good building block for us. When the defense is getting stops and turnovers, I think it generates so much momentum.”
The defense got two first-quarter turnovers – a fumble recovery by defensive tackle Brian Buce 34 seconds into the game and an interception by defensive back K.J. Coleman – and gave the offense the opportunity to turn those into a 10-0 lead.
“This is one of the better games I’ve seen where all 11 guys are together,” Coleman said of the defense. “It paid off. With this team, we actually all believe that we can win these games.”
After ending their school-record 27-game losing streak last month, the Leathernecks have their most wins in single season since 2018.
“The challenge to our defense this week was to make an impact play early,” Davis said. “We came out with a lot of energy. The two early turnovers and to take a quick 10-0 lead was monumental for us.”
Lamb added: “Having a fast start like that gets the energy up for the defense and the offense. It allows us to play fast and not think so much and just go make plays. Getting that fumble and capitalizing on that was a huge thing.”
Lamb had 350 yards of offense by himself, passing for 260 yards and two scores, while rushing for a team-high 90 yards and a touchdown.
“Nate is a very deceptive runner. He’s slippery,” Davis said. “He’s faster than you think. The quarterback run game is a big part of our offense and Nate’s the catalyst for that.”
Senior defensive lineman Jalen Riven had 1.5 of Western’s five sacks, while Coleman and freshman Jordan Anderson both grabbed interceptions.
Game changers
14:26, 1st quarter: In the first minute of the game, Western defensive lineman Brian Bruce recovered a fumble at the TTU 28-yard line that turned into a touchdown.
10:30, 1st quarter: Defensive back K.J. Coleman intercepted TTU quarterback Dylan Laible in Tech territory. The pick turned into three points for WIU.
0:47, 2nd quarter: Running back Cameren Smith rushed for a 3-yard touchdown just before halftime to give Western a 31-14 advantage at the break.
What it means
The Leathernecks have now won three games, the most in a single season since 2018.
Nifty ‘Necks
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Western Illinois players in the game:
Lamb, QB: The WIU senior passed for 260 yards and two TDs, while rushing for 90 yards and another score.
Cameren Smith, RB: A week after rushing for only 27 yards in a loss to UT Martin, Smith posted 85 yards rushing and a TD, along with catching a touchdown pass.
Riven, DE: The Toledo native led the pass rush with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
What’s next?
Western hits the road Oct. 26 for a Big South-OVC game at Lindenwood in suburban St. Louis.
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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