Western Illinois safety Jouvenson Romulus (7) celebrates his interception return for a touchdown Saturday in Charleston during the Leathernecks’ 44-23 victory. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Barry Bottino
CHARLESTON – For Jouvenson Romulus, it was the eyes. That’s where the Western Illinois safety was looking as he pursued Eastern Illinois quarterback Cole LaCrue.
With less than a minute before halftime at his own 5-yard line, LaCrue took a snap and advanced three steps toward the line of scrimmage before stopping quickly.
“I saw his eyes, and he was looking past me. I thought, ‘Something’s not right,’” Romulus said. “I had to hang back. He threw it, I tipped it to myself and I made a play.”
LaCrue’s attempt at a completion to running back Charles Kellom out of the backfield resulted in a 4-yard interception return for a touchdown, which gave WIU a two-touchdown lead as part of 37 unanswered points in the Leathernecks’ 44-23 Ohio Valley Conference victory at O’Brien Field.
The Romulus interception was set up by Western QB Kennedy McGill’s fourth-down pooch punt, which was downed at the EIU 1-yard line.
With the win, the Leathernecks (6-4 overall, 4-1 OVC) remained in a first-place tie with Lindenwood and Southeast Missouri with two games remaining in the season. Eastern dropped to 3-7, 2-3.
Western scored in all three phases of the game.
“We had watched the film on Eastern and felt like we matched up really well,” WIU head coach Joe Davis said. “To see us go out and assert our dominance was impressive. One of the coolest things is a shift in our program. That locker room – although celebratory – is not satisfied.”
Western scored 16 third-quarter points to take a 37-7 lead, which was highlighted by McGill’s 76-yard TD pass to wide receiver Israel Hiraldo.
McGill, the top rushing quarterback in FCS, was 12-for-14 passing for 215 yards and ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.
“Eastern’s defense has done a nice job of preventing explosive plays,” Davis said. “We knew we were going to have a real patient game plan and protect the football.”
The Leathernecks also scored on special teams as cornerback Rodney McNeil Jr. corralled an EIU onside kick attempt and raced 44 yards untouched early in the fourth quarter.
“Everyone ran past me and I had a chance to score, so I said, ‘Why not?’” McNeil said.
Western’s defense held the Panthers to only 10 first downs and 241 total yards, including 44 on the ground.
“We played very complete, very disciplined. It’s what we needed,” McNeil Jr. said.
Game changers
0:44, 2nd quarter: Romulus scored on a 4-yard interception return to give Western a 21-7 halftime lead
4:28, 3rd quarter: McGill’s 76-yard deep ball to Hiraldo helped WIU forge a 31-7 lead
14:35, 4th quarter: McNeil Jr. returned a failed EIU onside kick 44 yards for a TD.
What it means
The Leathernecks improved to 4-1 in conference play and remained in a first-place tie with Southeast Missouri and Lindenwood.
Nifty ‘Necks
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Western Illinois players in the game:
Hiraldo, WR: His six catches and 153 yards led all players Saturday. He caught a 76-yard TD in the fourth quarter.
McNeil Jr., DB: The junior cornerback picked off EIU cornerback Cole LaCrue, setting up a TD, and returned an onside kick 44 yards for a score.
McGill, QB: Western’s QB1 compiled 321 yards of total offense, including 215 passing and 106 on the ground. He rushed for two TDs and passed for one.
What’s next?
Western hosts its final home game of the season Nov. 14 against Gardner-Webb (3-7, 2-3). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
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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