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Western Illinois University Athletics

Joey Borsellino
21
South Dakota USD 2-3 , 0-2
40
Winner Western Illinois WIU 3-2 , 2-0
South Dakota USD
2-3 , 0-2
21
Final
40
Western Illinois WIU
3-2 , 2-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
USD South Dakota 7 0 7 7 21
WIU Western Illinois 13 6 21 0 40

Game Recap: Football | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks Remain Undefeated at Hanson Field

Joey Borsellino finishes with 112 yards and a touchdown in the win.


PHOTO GALLERY

MACOMB, Ill. – Running back Nikko Watson and quarterback Trenton Norvell each hit career milestones leading Western Illinois to a 40-21 Missouri Valley Football Conference victory over South Dakota on Saturday. The Fighting Leathernecks remained undefeated at Hanson Field (3-0) improving to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the MVFC.
 
Norvell surpassed 6,000 career passing yards – now the fifth Leatherneck all-time to reach that milestone. Watson went past 2,000 career rushing yards, becoming the 11th WIU back to surpass 2,000. The duo helped Western begin 2-0 in conference play for the first time in five years.
 
Western took the opening kickoff and used a 12-play drive to cover 75 yards, capped by Norvell's 4-yard touchdown run. South Dakota (2-3, 0-2) responded with a long drive of its own, using 14 plays for 80 yards and running 5:52 off the clock to tie the game.
 
The Coyotes looked to keep the momentum rolling, successfully executing an on-sides kick. However, Western's defense forced a three-and-out, and took over on its own 30. Norvell directed the offense down field and took the lead for good following a 21-yard touchdown pass to Lance Lenoir, Jr.
 
Nathan Knuffman kicked a 23-yard field goal midway through the second quarter, and right before halftime converted a career-long 38-yarder for a 19-7 lead into the locker room.
 
USD used a big pass play, took advantage of a penalty and on the next play Shamar Jackson scored from 10 yards out, cutting the deficit to 19-14. Norvell and Western regained the momentum again.
 
The junior quarterback hit junior wide receiver Joey Borsellino in stride for a 61-yard touchdown, the longest pass play this year and longest catch in Borsellino's career.
 
Watson added a 1-yard touchdown, and then Norvell connected with Jaelon Acklin on a 42-yard touchdown during the decisive third quarter scoring. USD added a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for the final margin.
 
"It's nice to win two in a row. The game was a lot like I expected, a really physical football game. South Dakota is a physical football team. That first half was back and forth. We had a hard time stopping them and they had a hard time stopping us. I thought getting some points before half was big and the one thing that our defense did is that we bent a bit at times," said head coach Bob Nielson. "With the exception of the one big play, we did a good job of keeping them out of the end zone and that was the difference in the game. We found ways to get the ball into the end zone and even though they got the ball into our territory a few times, our defense rose up and stopped them on some fourth down conversions. I'm pleased with the way we are playing right now, our guys are playing with a lot of confidence, and I think you saw that today throughout the entire game."
 
Norvell finished 16-of-25 for 288 yards and three touchdowns. He added 19 yards on three carries, accounting for four touchdowns. He now has 6,239 yards in his career.
 
Watson picked up his third consecutive 100-yard game, finishing with 139 yards and a TD on 24 attempts. With 2,117 yards all-time, Watson is 27 yards shy of tying for 10th place all-time.
 
Borsellino recorded his third career 100-yard receiving game, four receptions for a game-high 112 yards (one shy of his career-high). He moved up four spots all-time to 17th with 1,325 yards.
 
Sophomore Adam Brott set a career-high making 10 tackles, including two for a loss. Fellow sophomore Brett Taylor shared team-high honors with 10 stops.
 
Ryan Saeger completed 17-of-29 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown. He gained 26 yards on the ground. True-freshman Michael Fredrick gained a career-high 90 yards on the ground. Keyen Lage recorded a game-high 11 tackles, including 3.0 for a loss.
 
"I'm telling you what, there is not a team in our league that doesn't deserve to be ranked. When you look at the quality of competition… look at South Dakota. They beat the only two other FCS teams they have played. Their only loss outside the league is to Kansas State. They are a good football team. There is a lot of teams in other leagues that wouldn't want them showing up at their place," said Nielson. "You look at film, it's a lot of good players, and a well-coached football team. So next week we are going to play a ranked team. The difference is that we have had two games at home, played well at home, and now we will have to go on the road, keep improving, and play well on the road against some really outstanding competition."
 
Western travels to (current ranking) No. 10 UNI next Saturday. Kickoff in Cedar Falls, Iowa, is scheduled for 4 p.m. The game can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and ESPN3.
 
GAME NOTES: Attendance for the game was 6,298… The game was delayed roughly 20 minutes during the second quarter when South Dakota offensive lineman Sam McLeran went down with an injury. He was taken by ambulance to McDonough District Hospital. No further report was available… Taylor recorded his third career 10-plus tackle game… Norvell also surpassed 500 career completions (506), tying for second place all-time. With 48 career touchdown passes, Norvell took sole possession of second place and is 14 shy of Paul Singer's record… Watson picked up his ninth career 100-yard game… Lenoir is nine receptions shy of tying the WIU all-time record (144). He finished the win with 83 yards on four catches, now totaling 1,962 receiving yards in his career… Knuffman overtook seventh place all-time (moving past former teammate Pat Smith) with 19 career field goals. The junior matched a personal-best for the fifth time in his career kicking two field goals… Sophomore safety Myles Spearman made his first start of the year… Western's first and only punt of the game came early in the fourth quarter… The Leathernecks guaranteed their 51st year at Hanson Field (out of 66) with at least a .500 record at home. Western improved to 3-0 at home with two regular season games remaining.
 
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