Western Illinois celebrates its comeback 28-21 win against Tennessee State Saturday at Hanson Field in Macomb. (Photo by GoLeathernecks. com)
By Dan Verdun
With just under 9 minutes left in the third quarter, Western Illinois appeared to be in trouble.
In the end, the Leathernecks turned the tables on visiting Tennessee State with a 17-point rally to stun the Tigers, 28-21.
WIU (3-3 overall, 1-0 Ohio Valley) scored two touchdowns – one on defense and one on offense – along with a field goal to knock off Tennessee State (1-4, 0-1).
The Tigers took a 14-10 lead into halftime on a touchdown pass and a TD run by quarterback Daylin Lee.
Western scored its points on a 24-yard field goal by Ronan Culkin and a 33-yard pass from quarterback Kennedy McGill to Ishon E. Jackson-Anderson.
TSU built a 21-10 lead when Lee tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass with 8 minutes, 56 seconds left in the third quarter.
The game, however, changed primarily on one play. Junior defensive back Jake Kruger jumped a sideline pass route, intercepted Lee and raced 46 yards for a WIU touchdown. “It was a defining moment in that game,” WIU head coach Joe Davis said.
“Offensively, we were moving the ball but couldn’t find a way to generate points. Jake’s Pick 6 was a huge momentum change in that game.”
McGill followed with a 2-point conversion run to tie the game, 21-21.
The Leatherneck defense – sparked by two more turnovers gained – gave the offense the opportunity to take the lead.
“That was huge in terms of slowing them down,” Davis said.
With less than 5 minutes remaining, McGill completed passes to Xavier Coleman and Christian Anaya to get things in gear.
McGill then broke off a 22-yard run to the TSU 21-yard line. After Jackson-Anderson ran for five yards, McGill motored his way into the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown with 52 seconds remaining.
“He’s a tough guy to bring down. He just is,” Davis said. “I’m continually impressed with Kennedy’s composure. He is the same player from play-to-play, drive-to-drive, quarter-to-quarter, moment-to-moment.”
Sophomore defensive back Don Paul Keith preserved the Leathernecks’ win with an interception.
Game changers
11:08, 4th quarter: Kruger’s pick-six shifts momentum to the Western sideline.
0:52, 4th quarter: McGill capped the WIU comeback with a 16-yard touchdown run providing a 28-21 lead.
0:22, 4th quarter: Keith grabbed an interception, sealing the Leatherneck win.
Nifty ‘Necks
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the the top three Western Illinois players in the game:
McGill, QB: The Division II transfer accounted for 429 yards – 241 passing and 188 rushing. He also scored the 2-point conversion to tie the game.
Kruger, DB: The junior’s interception return for a touchdown sparked Western at a key moment of the game.
Jackson-Anderson, RB: The Wofford transfer amassed 110 yards (80 receiving and 30 rushing).
What it means
Western is off to a 1-0 start in the Ohio Valley Conference.
What’s next
WIU enters its bye week. The Leathernecks return to the field for an Oct. 17 OVC game at Southeast Missouri. Kickoff is 2 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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