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Kevin Kintzel and Jonathon Rollins tackle SIU's MyCole Pruitt
17
Western Illinois WIU 2-3 , 0-1
34
Winner Southern Illinois SIU 4-1 , 1-0
Western Illinois WIU
2-3 , 0-1
17
Final
34
Southern Illinois SIU
4-1 , 1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIU Western Illinois 7 7 3 0 17
SIU Southern Illinois 7 3 17 7 34

Game Recap: Football | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks Falter in Second Half During MVFC Opener

PHOTO GALLERY

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Western Illinois took a lead into halftime, but Southern Illinois took advantage of excellent field position during the third quarter and pulled out a 34-17 win Saturday night. The Fighting Leathernecks fell to 2-3 overall, 0-1 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, while the 16th-ranked Salukis improved to 4-1, 1-0.
 
SIU scored points on all three possessions during the third quarter to regain the lead for good.
 
WIU elected to kick off deep to start the second half. Tay Willis nearly ran it back, taking it 85 yards to the WIU 10. Three plays later Mark Iannotti was rushed and nearly sacked but his pass found MyCole Pruitt in the endzone for a 9-yard touchdown and 17-14 lead.
 
On its next drive, SIU took over at midfield and drove into the redzone. The Salukis settled for a 25-yard field goal for a 20-14 lead midway through the third quarter.
 
Western marched down to the SIU 3-yard line behind a strong running game. But a fumbled snap on 3rd-and-goal led to Nathan Knuffman converting a 21-yard field goal and trimming the deficit to 20-17.
 
Poor field position hurt Western again as a short kick and penalty gave SIU the ball at the 50-yard line. Malcolm Agnew scored from nine yards out on a second effort rush, capping a 5-play drive, and making it 27-17 in the final minute of the third quarter.
 
Head coach Bob Nielson noted missed opportunities were the difference in the MVFC opening loss.
 
"Very disappointed. We left way too many plays on the field today. That game could've easily been ours. We didn't make plays… we dropped balls, missed guys wide open, had guys in right position defensively and didn't make plays. That's the disappointing thing," said Nielson. "We talked before the game that we are going to have to play exceptionally well, going to have to do things right and we didn't do that tonight."
 
Western came up empty on its first two drives of the game. On its second drive, Southern got on the board first thanks to a 9-yard touchdown run by Mika'I McCall.
 
The Leathernecks responded right back. Western marched 75 yards in nine plays, thanks to two big pass plays from Trenton Norvell to Joey Borsellino, and capped the drive on a screen pass to J.C. Baker that he broke for a 23-yard score. Knuffman's extra point tied the game with just under two minutes in the opening quarter.
 
Western defense kept the momentum going, forcing a 3-and-out on Southern's next series. A 75-yard punt by Neidig pinned Western at its own one-yard line. The Leathernecks picked up three first downs while facing third-and-long, including a 50-yard pass from Norvell to Lance Lenoir, Jr.. Devon Moore reached the endzone on a 3-yard touchdown run and 14-7 lead.
 
The Salukis moved into the redzone and while facing third down, Iannotti missed in the endzone. Thomas Kinney converted a 29-yard field goal making it 14-10.
 
Southern came up with an interception late in the second quarter, driving into Western territory. Iannotti was flushed out of the pocket, and his pass attempt was tipped by Jeremy Curry then intercepted by Jonathon Rollins at the end of the half.
 
Overall, SIU held a 418-348 edge in total yards, most coming via the ground game (146-77). Southern also went 7-of-15 on third down while Western finished 9-of-21 but came up empty on both fourth down attempts in the second half.
 
Norvell finished 21-of-49 for 271 yards and a touchdown with his interception. Lenoir recorded his third career 100-yard receiving game, 115 yards on seven catches.
 
Borsellino ended with 72 yards on four catches while Baker caught five passes totaling 40 yards.
 
Kevin Kintzel recorded a game-high 12 stops, setting a new personal best. J.J. Raffelson added 10 tackles, equaling his season-high from last week.
 
Rollins added nine tackles (six solos) to go with his interception.
 
McCall led SIU with 68 rushing yards while Agnew added 63 yards on the ground. Pruitt caught nine passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Chase Allen led SIU with 10 tackles.
 
Iannotti went 24-of-39 for 272 yards and two TDs.
 
Western returns to Hanson Field next Saturday (Oct. 4), playing host to top-ranked North Dakota State. Homecoming 2014 kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
GAME NOTES: Western won the coin flip for the fourth straight game… Lenoir's 50-yard reception in the second quarter was his longest of his career… Rollins interception was the first this season and third of his career… Western's 16 plays that resulted in Knuffman's field goal were the most on a scoring drive this season… Raffelson and Rollins both surpassed 200 career tackles in the contest. Raffelson now has 203 while Rollins recorded career tackle number 201… Lenoir moved into a tie for 10th place all-time with his third career 100-yard receiving game. He matched Carl Sims, Bobby Starks and Marvin Williams all-time… Norvell moved into eighth place all-time in completions (293) and attempts (553)… Knuffman moved into a tie for 10th place all-time in extra points (44) and with 65 career kicking points overtook 10th place in that category… Martinez Davis recorded his 19th career pass break-up, taking sole possession of 10th place all-time.
 
 
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