Western Illinois quarterback Kennedy McGill accounted for 349 yards of total offense and four touchdowns as the Leathernecks defeated UT Martin Saturday at Hanson Field in Macomb. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Dan Verdun
Western Illinois had the quick response team out Saturday much to the delight of the Homecoming crowd at Hanson Field.
The Leathernecks delivered winning answers on both sides of the ball each time their game got tight. Those plays turned a close contest into a breezy 55-24 Ohio Valley Conference victory against league preseason favorite UT Martin.
WIU (4-4 overall, 2-1 OVC) rolled up 532 yards of total offense on 63 plays (8.44 average). The Leathernecks have scored 50 or more points three times this season.
Meanwhile, UTM (3-5, 2-1) fell out of a first-place tie with OVC-unbeaten Southeast Missouri, which defeated Eastern Illinois Saturday. SEMO beat Western, 40-30, last weekend in Macomb.
Leatherneck quarterback Kennedy McGill continued his quest that may well result in OVC Offensive Player of the Year honors.
McGill, a fifth-year player who transferred from Division II Central Washington, accounted for 349 yards of total offense (210 rushing, 139 passing). He ran for three touchdowns and passed for another.
McGill scored on runs of 1, 25 and 56 yards. Tight end David Hargo, who caught the TD pass, also rushed for a score.
The first Western touchdown drive took 14 plays. The next six TD drives averaged just 3.8 plays. Five touchdowns came on explosive plays.
Four players – McGill, Hargo, receiver Israel Hiraldo and running back Ethan Bryce – scored touchdowns.
Game changers
0:50, 1st quarter: McGill motored 25 yards for a touchdown, lifting the Leathernecks a 21-10 lead.
11:11, 3rd quarter: Receiver Christian Anaya threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Hiraldo. The TD boosted Western to a 35-17 lead.
12:23, 4th quarter: Ronan Culkin nailed a career-long 51-yard field goal. The kick provided the Leathernecks with a 41-24 cushion.
Nifty ‘Necks
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the the top three Western Illinois players in the game:
McGill, QB: The transfer accounted for 349 total yards – 210 rushing and 139 passing. He racked up four touchdowns, three on the ground. McGill has produced 21 touchdowns – 11 rushing and 10 passing – on the season.
Nick Reinicke, LB: The Iowa native led WIU with 10 tackles. He also had an interception and half a sack.
Hiraldo, WR: The sophomore caught three passes for 92 yards and a touchdown, his first in a Leatherneck uniform.
What it means
The win puts Western solidly back into the OVC title chase. It also marks the first Homecoming win since 2016.
What’s next
The Leathernecks travel to Charleston, S.C. to take on Charleston Southern in the OVC. The Leathernecks are 0-3 on the road thus far this season.
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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