MACOMB, Ill. - In his first start as a Leatherneck, Josh Hudson threw three touchdown passes and the defense came up with three interceptions as Western Illinois defeated Jacksonville 35-21 in the home opener on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 10).
It also marked the debut of the Matrix Turf at Hanson Field. After winning the coin toss and electing to receive first, Western (1-1 overall) took advantage of the home turf and marched into JU territory. However, a sack on third down forced Western into a 48-yard field goal attempt which fell short.
The Dolphins (0-2) used the arm of Walter Payton Award candidate Josh McGregor to pass their way down to the four. He found Josh Philpart for a 4-yard touchdown pass and early 7-0 lead.
Western had another drive stall when Bryce Flowers was stopped for no gain on 4th-and-1. The defense forced a 3-and-out, then the offense used a 94-yard scoring drive to tie the score. Hudson, who was 8-for his first-8 passing, hit Terriun Crump on a 30-yard completion to inside the five. Three plays later Josh Gabelmann plunged in from a yard out.
The Leatherneck defense then started getting to McGregor. On the next play, Kieron James picked off a pass but the offense was not able to convert. JU got the ball back, but three plays later Tim Franken got his fifth career interception at the JU 17. Western needed five plays for Hudson to find Aaron Muhammad on a 2-yard TD pass and take the lead.
Right before half, the Leatherneck defense held Jacksonville on a 4th-and-5 at the WIU 46. Maurice Hood broke up McGregor's pass to give the offense another shot on downs. Caulton Ray needed one play, and a couple of broken tackles, to race 54 yards into the endzone for a 21-7 lead with a minute left in the half.
Hudson was 9-of-11 in the first half for 99 yards and a score while Ray had 86 rushing yards. The offense also held a nine-minute advantage in time of possession (19:32-10:28).
McGregor used two long touchdown passes to tie the game, 46 yards to Larry Thompson and later in the third quarter, 46 yards to Quintin Davis. Western quickly responded.
The Leathernecks marched 53 yards in only five plays needed 1:48 to regain the lead. Hudson found Myles Daughtry across the middle, and the sophomore wide receiver broke down the left sidelines for a 24-yard touchdown.
After another 3-and-out, the offense added an insurance score. Hudson hit Crump in the middle of the field, and the senior wideout broke two tackles and out-ran the defense for a 53-yard touchdown.
On Jacksonville's next two drives, it went for it on fourth down but both times the Leathernecks held. Trying to make another charge, McGregor drove JU into Western territory, but freshman Kevin Kintzel picked up his first collegiate interception to seal the win.
According to head coach Mark Hendrickson, the Leathernecks knew they would need a 60-minute performance today to get the win.
"I'm very proud of the effort the Leathernecks put forth in all four quarters. It was a very tough, physical ball game. We have a lot of special ball players on this team, and as long as they continue to put forth the effort in practice and in the games we'll get some things accomplished," said Hendrickson. "All three phases of the game made a difference at some point. Our defense had three interceptions and I'm very proud of all three of those guys. Offensively we took 73 snaps and did not commit a turnover. Overall our special teams was solid throughout. Now on the other hand, there are also some things we need to work on and we'll work very hard to make those corrections."
Hudson completed 14-of-20 passes for 215 yards and three TDs. Ray recorded his fifth career 100-yard rushing game, 118 yards and a score on 18 carries.
Crump finished with seven receptions totaling 143 yards and his score. Theon Dixon led the defense for the second straight game in tackles with eight stops, including two for a loss.
In a battle of two of the top three teams in total offense last year, Western (3rd last year) ended with the advantage 423 yards to 370 for JU (1st). In fact the Leathernecks held the Dolphins to 56 rushing yards in the game.
McGregor finished 23-of-50 passing for 314 yards with three TDs to go with his three interceptions. Philpart caught eight of those passes totaling 104 yards.
Leonard Smith, Rolando Fines and Joseph Barnett each had eight tackles apiece to lead Jacksonville.
Western travels to Missouri next Saturday (Sept. 17), kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
GAME NOTES: Terriun Crump moved into a tie for sixth place all-time with his fifth career 100-yard receiving game. In the contest he also tied Stacy Coleman for 10th place with 86 career receptions, and overtook Curt Christenson for 10th in receiving yards with 1,393 yards... Freshman punter Michael Shroble averaged 40.2 yards on his six punts... Josh Gabelmann's 18-yard reception was the longest of his career. His touchdown run was the fifth of his career in just 29 attempts... Kieron James picked up his second career interception... Redshirt-freshman Larry Patterson rushed for 32 yards (including a long of 26) and averaged 33 yards on three kickoff returns... Senior Tim Franken's interception in the second quarter was his first pick since getting four his freshman year... Western used nearly eight minutes on its first scoring drive... The Leathernecks extended their home win streak to seven games... Western was flagged 11 times totaling 125 yards... Aaron Muhammad picked up his second career touchdown reception.
