MACOMB, Ill. - Matt Barr found Lito Senatus on a 17-yard touchdown pass with one minute left which proved to be the game-winner as Western Illinois came-from-behind to defeat Youngstown State 40-38 at Hanson Field on Saturday night (Oct. 16). The 23rd-ranked Fighting Leathernecks (5-2 overall, 3-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference) ended a six-game losing streak to Youngstown.

The Penguins (3-4, 1-3) took the lead with 5:27 left, and held the Leathernecks to a 3-and-out. Western's defense responded. Jamaine Cook rushed 13 yards for a first down, but from there the defense held YSU to consecutive 3-yard rushes by Cook, then Kevin Palermo stopped him for a 1-yard loss on third down as Western burned its final timeout.

A 57-yard punt by Nick Liste landed in the endzone for a touchback. Needing to cover 80 yards Barr misfired on his first two pass attempts. When he was forced out of the pocket, Barr rushed 20 yards to pick up the first down.

His screen pass to Bryce Flowers went for a 5-yard loss, then the senior connected with Senatus for 15 yards and a first down. On the next play Barr hit Senatus over the middle for 33 yards, setting up the game-winner. Senatus caught the pass along the right sidelines and followed his blockers into the endzone. However, Charlie Jouett missed his second straight extra point leaving it a two-point margin.

"I was able to make the first guy miss, that's why I stayed in bounds. I also got a great block from (Terriun) Crump and was just able to follow him in to the endzone," said Senatus. "This conference is very difficult. It gives us a whole lot of confidence and being 4-0 at home, that's big when you want to make it to the playoffs. Neither side gave up and I'm proud of this group of players."

Taking over on their own 21, Kurt Hess was sacked by Mike Stieren for a 3-yard loss, and without any timeouts left Hess was forced to spike the ball. He found Juilian Harrell for a 12-yard completion but on 4th-and-1 Kevin Watts could not hold onto the pass and Western took over on downs.

"I'm very proud of every member in that locker room, both player and coaching staff member because they gave everything they had for this game and the result was a conference victory. I felt that when the offense took the field for the last drive, we knew we were going to win the ball game. It's special to play at this field and we're proud to play here and no one wanted to be denied," said head coach Mark Hendrickson. "There's no doubt that it's a huge boost to our confidence. We were already a confident team, but to win the way we did, we now know that we can win any close ball game or come back and win a tough game on the final drive."

Youngstown took the opening kickoff and struck first with a 35-yard field goal. Western responded on its drive as Barr aired it out. He went 6-of-7 passing (with no team rushing attempts) and took the lead on a 22-yard TD pass to Terriun Crump.

Hess scored from four yards out at the end of the first quarter as the Penguins took a 10-7 lead. On their next drive, Barr staged an 11-play drive capping it off with a 21-yard TD pass to Senatus.

Adaris Bellamy rushed for two TDs in the quarter, one and three yards, as YSU grabbed a 24-14 lead at the half. The Penguins held an 11-minute advantage in time of possession and out-gained Western 291-176 in total yards.

Western started on its own 23 to begin the second half. On 3rd-and-goal Barr was flushed out of the pocket and won a foot race to the right corner for the touchdown. Later in the quarter he set a career-high scoring from five yards out and putting Western ahead 28-24.

Bellamy scored his career-high third TD on a 2-yard score in the final minute. The Leathernecks marched 56 yards in just three plays, capping it with Caulton Ray's 10-yard TD run for a 34-31 lead.

For the second straight week, and third time in his career, Barr surpassed 300 yards passing. He finished 22-of-34 with 302 yards and three TDs, in addition to his 53 rushing yards and two TDs.

Senatus matched a career-high with two TD receptions, totaling 110 yards on seven receptions. For the third straight week Senatus matched a career-high with two TDs (four times in his career). Ray rushed for a team-high 83 yards and a score.

Palermo led the defense with a game-high 14 tackles, doubling his previous best of seven. Kyle Glazier added 12 stops.

Youngtown gained 506 yards of offense compared to Western's 480, but the Leathernecks improved to 4-0 at home thanks to a turnover-free game.

Hess completed 19-of-31 passes for 213 yards. Cook rushed for 161 yards on 30 carries. Donald D'Alesio and Deonta Tate had nine tackles each to pace the defense.

Western travels to Missouri State next Saturday (Oct. 23), kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.

GAME NOTES: Western won the toss and elected to defer... There were nine lead changes in the game... Barr's 22 completions are the fourth-most in his career while the 302 yards are third. He has thrown nine TD passes over the last three games... Barr moved into a tie for ninth place among the season 'Top 10' in TD passes (15)... Barr moved past 5,000 career passing yards (5,150)... His 33 career TD passes moved him into a tie with Donny Simmons for fourth place all-time... Senatus has eight TD receptions this season, moving into a tie for sixth place among season leaders. His 15 career TD catches moved him past assistant coach Gunnard Twyner and into a tie with Marvin Williams for fourth place all-time. It marked his third career 100-yard receiving game... Glazier recorded double-digit tackles for the 16th time in his career. With 303 career tackles, the senior linebacker is now tied for 10th place all-time (Don Ziegler)... Western's last five losses in the series were by a combined 29 points... The announced crowd was a season-high 13,404.