YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Western Illinois football team picked up its first Missouri Valley Football Conference win of the season, using all four quarters to defeat #10 Youngstown State on the road Saturday, 30-24.

"I'm really proud of our guys," said head coach Bob Nielson. "We've had some rough goes the last two weeks. We've really played well, been in position to win games, and we finally pulled one out."

The victory at Youngstown State is the first since 2003 for Western. The win also marks the first win for the Leathernecks against a 'Top 10' opponent on the road since 2008.

With the win, the Leathernecks improve to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in MVFC play, while YSU falls to 4-2 on the year and 1-1 in conference action.

Lance Lenoir, Jr. recorded a career-high 132 yards on eight catches. He also pulled in his first two touchdowns of the season. The two-touchdown performance ties a career-best for Lenoir.

Also matching a career-high was Trenton Norvell who threw for four scores. Norvell finished with 291 yards, no interceptions, and completed 19-of-26 attempts.

Hauling in Norvell's other two touchdowns were Joey Borsellino and Hi-C Scott. Borsellino finished with four catches and 62 yards, while Scott tallied 79 yards on three grabs.

J.C. Baker finished with 94 yards on 22 carries to lead the team. Nathan Knuffman had a career-long rush of 27 yards in the third quarter when the Leatherneck converted on a fake punt.

Defensively, Kevin Kintzel led WIU with seven tackles (6 solo, 1 assist). Five Leathernecks finished with five or more tackles on the night.

The first 30 minutes of Saturday evening's MVFC contest was a back-and-forth affair. The Leathernecks scored 14 unanswered points to end the first quarter and took a 14-3 lead into the second. The Penguins answered by scoring the only 14 points of the second quarter as YSU took a 17-14 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

On the opening drive of the game, Youngstown State was able to drive deep into Leatherneck territory before being held to a 28-yard field goal. WIU then took its first possession 80 yards in 4:57 for a score. Western's 11-play drive was capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Norvell to Lenoir, giving the Leathernecks their first lead of the game, 7-3.

Youngstown went three-and-out on its next possession after Aaron Diggs sacked YSU quarterback Dante Nania on third down, forcing a 4-and-18 for the Penguins at their own 17.

Western then took its second possession of the game 50 yards in the final 1:32 of the first quarter and capped its drive off with another Norvell to Lenoir score; this time a 49-yard touchdown.

The second quarter was all Youngstown State as the Penguins cut WIU's lead to four, 14-10, midway through the frame before taking the lead, 17-14, with 2:40 left in the first half.

The Penguins used six plays to go 71 yards in 3:12 during their first touchdown drive that was capped off by a 15-yard Hunter Wells pass to Jelani Berassa. YSU's second scoring drive took 2:44 as the Penguins used seven plays and 31 yards, and capped off their drive by a Jody Wells nine-yard touchdown run.

Like the first quarter, the third was all Leathernecks as they scored 13, the only points of the quarter, to take a 27-17 lead into the final 15 minutes of play.

WIU's first score of the quarter came at the 11:44 mark after the Leathernecks converted on a fake punt; Norvell hit Borsellino on a 35-yard strike down the sidelines. The touchdown and PAT gave the Leathernecks the lead back.

After forcing Youngstown to go three-and-out, the Leathernecks put together a lengthy drive. Western covered 54 yards on 11 plays over 5:42 capped off by a Norvell to Scott score.

The Leathernecks added to their lead midway through the fourth with a 23-yard field goal from Knuffman, giving them a 30-17 advantage with 8:18 to play in regulation.

YSU would make it a one-score game after scoring a touchdown with 6:08 to play, but the Leathernecks would prevail, 30-24.

Western Illinois plays host to Illinois State next Saturday (Oct. 18) at 3 p.m. at Hanson Field.
 

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