NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Junior Marco Thomas recorded two touchdowns on five receptions for 121 yards as the Western Illinois Leathernecks fell at Stephen F. Austin, 63-36.Down, 19-0, with 12:30 on the clock in the second quarter, Leatherneck quarterback Steve LaFalce connected with Reggie Gray on a 22-yard pass for Gray's first touchdown of the season. Freshman Taylor Rowan recorded the point-after to give the Leathernecks (1-2) seven on the board. However, the Lumberjacks (2-1) were able to score two more times to extend their lead, 32-7. LaFalce was able to record an 18-yard pass to Thomas with just :54 seconds left in the first half to cut the deficit to 32-14. Stephen F. Austin came out of the break to increase its lead to 46-14 by way of a Jerome Brooks rushing TD at the 8:33 mark, and a 16-yard pass from Zeke Dixon to Tyrel Williams with 5:38 left in the third. Western answered three minutes later in similar form with a rushing touchdown by Travis Glasford with 2:38 on the clock, and another LaFalce-Thomas connection to cut the Lumberjacks lead to 46-29 with 1:02 left in the third quarter. But Stephen F. Austin went on to record a field goal and two touchdowns, despite a 49-yard pass from Western's Will Ducey to Paul Anderson, for the 63-36 win."Stephen F. Austin did a very good job running the ball, which allowed them to open up their game," said Patterson, "and we were just to inconsistent, especially in the first half."Western Illinois recorded 152 total yards in the first half with -12 yards rushing. The Lumberjacks recorded 663 total net yards on the game, compared to Western's 360, and out-rushed the Leathernecks 195-41."Sometimes the game never really turns out like you think it will," said Patterson. "We still had some plays that we thought would go for big yards, but it just didn't turn out that way.""We tried catching them in the second half, but the clock was against us," added Patterson.Thomas recorded five receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns, while Gray recorded a season-best eight catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. Anderson recorded one reception for 49-yards that resulted in his second touchdown of the season from Ducey.LaFalce was 16-for-26 with 223 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Glasford recorded 11 carries for 21 yards with one touchdown and three receptions for 29 yards. He is now 23 yards shy of breaking Western's all-purpose yards record, and 399 rushing yards from becoming the Leathernecks all-time leading rusher. Rowan went 5-for-5, raising his total for the season to 11-straight PAT's. Ducey was 3-for-7 with 96 yards passing and one touchdown.Senior Will Bailey led Western's defense with 8.5 total tackles, including three solo stops, a tackle for a loss of two yards and two pass break ups.Stephen F. Austin's Dixon was 14-for-23 with 352 yards passing and four touchdowns, while Dominiq Edison led all receivers with five receptions for 145 yards with two touchdowns.Western Illinois will face Iowa Wesleyan next Saturday, September 24 to open a three-game home stand at Hanson Field.