NORMAL, Ill. – A second half comeback fell short for the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Illinois State Saturday (Oct. 5) at Hancock Stadium. Despite three third quarter Leathernecks touchdowns, the Redbirds secured a 35-21 win.

On Illinois State's first play of the second half, Jonathon Rollins forced a fumble and David McDaniel recovered on the ISU 42. Western needed one play to cut into the lead as Trenton Norvell hit Lance Lenoir, Jr. down the left side on a 42-yard score. Nathan Knuffman's point after made it 14-7.

ISU took over on its next drive and used seven plays to cover 74 yards as Marshaun Coprich scored from six yards out to make it a two-possession game.

Western wasted no time to respond. J.C. Baker rushed into Illinois State territory on two big runs, then on third down Joey Borsellino got behind the defense and Norvell hit him on a 21-yard touchdown.

The defense came up with another big play in the quarter when David McDaniel broke through the line and blocked CJ Laros' punt as the Leathernecks took over on the 18. Facing 3rd-and-5, Norvell found Lenoir in the back of the endzone for a 13-yard score. Knuffman's PAT tied the score with just over five minutes left in the quarter.

Facing 2nd-and-2 Western was stopped twice and forced to punt. ISU covered 72 yards in six plays, aided by a 14-yard penalty to regain the lead on a 14-yard touchdown pass with 8:20 in the game.

Trailing by a touchdown with 3:20 to play, the Leathernecks faced a 4th-and-19 on their own 26-yard line. Norvell's pass to Borsellino was ruled incomplete, and the Redbirds took over on the short field. Two plays later, Coprich rushed for a 24-yard touchdown to set the final score.

Both teams combined for eight punts in the first quarter as they combined for just 62 total yards. The Redbirds took over early in the second quarter at midfield. A long pass play and personal foul set up 1st-and-goal. Three plays later Blake Winkler found Chick Chatham for a 4-yard touchdown and eventual 7-0 lead.

Illinois State covered 64 yards on eight plays and capped the drive with a Coprich 1-yard plunge and 14-0 lead midway through the second and held that lead into halftime.

Lenoir caught seven passes for 105 yards and career-high two touchdowns. Norvell completed 11-of-28 passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns. J.J. Raffelson led the defense with 11 tackles as did Rollins. The Leathernecks defense combined for eight tackles for loss.

The Leathernecks play host to South Dakota State next Saturday (Oct. 12) for Homecoming 2013. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Hanson Field.

GAME NOTES: Devon Butler recorded his first solo sack during the first quarter… Luke Venegoni also recorded a sack early in the first… For the second straight week, Nichols forced a fumble… Borsellino, a true-freshman wide receiver, made his first collegiate start. He also caught a touchdown in the third straight game… The 21 points in the third set a season-high for points in a quarter. Western had scored 40 in the third quarter during the five games heading in… Western threw three touchdown passes in the third quarter, more touchdown passes than the entire 2012 season (2)… Lenoir's seven receptions and 105 receiving yards are the most by a Leatherneck in 12 games… For the third time in his four games this season, Raffelson recorded 10 or more tackles… Norvell has now tied Paul Singer for most touchdown passes in a season (9) by a freshman quarterback…

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