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Western Illinois University Athletics

Nikko Watson
Nicholas Stewart
24
Winner Western Illinois WIU 4-2 , 3-0
19
UNI UNI 2-4 , 0-3
Winner
Western Illinois WIU
4-2 , 3-0
24
Final
19
UNI UNI
2-4 , 0-3
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIU Western Illinois 14 7 0 3 24
UNI UNI 0 6 7 6 19

Game Recap: Football | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks Remain Undefeated in MVFC Following 24-19 Win at #12 UNI

Nikko Watson rushed for 115 yards and two key interceptions give Western the road victory

PHOTO GALLERY

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Western Illinois took advantage of two interceptions – one for a 95-yard touchdown by Aaron Diggs and another from David Griffith to help end UNI's fourth quarter comeback – and Nikko Watson's 115 rushing yards to remain undefeated in the Missouri Valley Football Conference following a 24-19 win at 12th-ranked Northern Iowa. The Fighting Leathernecks (4-2 overall) improved to 3-0 in the MVFC for the first time since 2000.
 
The victory also marked the first win at the UNI-Dome since 2006, and in the process ended a four-game losing streak to the Panthers. Western's victory was the second in as many years over a 'Top 15' ranked opponent on the road.
 
Entering the game with the nation's toughest schedule, Western picked up its second victory over a 'Top 25' opponent, matching last year's accomplishment, and has won three of its last four meetings over a nationally-ranked team since the 2014 season finale.
 
"It's a win over a really good football program. If you look at the Missouri Valley Football Conference the last couple of decades people would say that Northern Iowa is one of the best programs. They're a good team, well coached. I'm really proud of the way our guys executed today, we made plays at critical times to find a way to win," said head coach Bob Nielson.
 
Western's defense got a quick 3-and-out to start the game, giving the ball over to the offense. After crossing midfield, the UNI defense stopped Watson at the line on 4th-and-1 turning the ball over on downs. The Panthers would march into the redzone before Diggs stepped in front of a Sawyer Kollmorgen pass and raced 95 yards for a touchdown. Not only did Diggs record his first career interception, he set a UNI-Dome record in the process. Nathan Knuffman's point-after gave Western a 7-0 lead.
 
The Leathernecks covered 64 yards on 10 plays, capping the scoring drive with a 1-yard scoring run from Watson making it 14-0. Trenton Norvell connected with Stacey Smith on a 20-yard and 14-yard completion, followed by Watson's 13-yard catch setting up the scoring run.
 
UNI drove inside the redzone again, but Brett Taylor picked up a big stop on 2nd-and-goal. UNI moved back five yards on a false start and the defense stayed home on a reverse, keeping the Panthers out of the endzone. A 22-yard field goal with just over eight minutes left made the score 14-3.
 
Western quickly responded, needing eight plays to go 81 yards for a touchdown. Facing 3rd down, Norvell found Joey Borsellino in the endzone for a 9-yard TD and eventual 21-3 lead.
 
During the ensuing UNI drive, the Panthers looked to have a catch on third down in the redzone but after further review it was ruled incomplete. That forced UNI to take a 39-yard field goal instead, cutting Western's lead to 21-6 in the final minute of the half.
 
Both teams were forced to punt in their opening possession of the second half. When Western got the ball back inside the 10 on its second drive, Deiondre' Hall picked off Norvell's pass and raced 32 yards for a touchdown.
 
UNI picked up three big first down conversions on third down and used 15 plays to go 74 yards, eating up more than six minutes. Aaron Bailey's 5-yard run cut the deficit to 21-19 but the 2-point conversion was dropped in the endzone with 6:35 left in regulation.
 
Western answered UNI's score, providing some breathing room. Norvell hit Lenoir on a 40-yard completion down the left sidelines to get in the redzone. Knuffman drilled a 23-yard field goal which proved to be the final margin, but not before some dramatics.
 
Bailey dropped back to pass on the ensuing drive and Griffith stepped in front of his pass on the second play of the drive to regain possession. A big first down run by Watson on 3rd-and-7 for 11 yards virtually sealed the win.
 
Western then took a knee three times and on fourth down with six seconds left launched a pass out of the endzone. Despite the clock showing no time left, after further review, the officials put one second on the clock. Bailey scrambled but his pass was knocked down at midfield to officially seal the victory.
 
"I say this all along, every win in our league is a big win. You look at what South Dakota did today (upset at #2 North Dakota State), that tells you how good of a football team they are. Every week you're going to have to reload and play somebody that's high quality. You have to play your best football or you'll get beat," said Nielson.
 
Watson's career-high 35 attempts surpassed his previous high of 30 set in his collegiate debut in 2011. He recorded his fourth 100-yard game this season (all consecutive) and 10th of his career.
 
Lenoir went past 2,000 career receiving yards following the 40-yard catch. The junior wideout ended with six catches for a game-high 76 yards, giving him 2,038 all-time. Norvell completed 25-of-36 passes for 263 yards and a TD with the one interception.
 
Borsellino added seven catches for 64 yards and Smith added a career-high six catches for 56 yards.
 
Taylor paced the defense making a game-high 12 tackles (11 solos). Xavier Rowe knocked away a career-high four passes, part of the team's 10 PBU.
 
Western out-gained UNI 396-261 and held the ball nearly six minutes more. Western went 10-of-18 on third down while UNI (2-4, 0-3) was 8-of-16.
 
Bailey rushed for 28 yards and passed for 76 (4-of-11). Kollmorgen was 12-of-25 for 94 yards and the interception.
 
The Leathernecks return to action next Saturday (Oct. 24), traveling to #4 Illinois State. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
GAME NOTES: Diggs' return tied for the second-longest in WIU history. It marked the third defensive score for the Leathernecks this year, second by an interception return for a score. It was also the second straight game in the Dome that Western returned an interception for a touchdown (Kevin Kintzel in 2013)… Knuffman missed what would have been a career-long 44-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter when it bounced off the left upright… Griffith picked up his third career interception… Taylor registered his fourth 10-plus tackle game of the season, and third consecutive… Attendance in the UNI-Dome for Homecoming was near capacity at 16,324… Norvell moved into fourth place all-time in passing yards… Lenoir ranks second all-time with 150 receptions, three shy of the record. He also became the fifth Leatherneck ever to reach 2,000 receiving yards…. Knuffman kicked his 20th career field goal, tying for sixth all-time… Borsellino recorded his 10th career touchdown reception… Watson (2,232) moved into ninth place in the career rushing leaderboard... True-freshman Hunter Varga made his debut on long snaps for punts... Norvell, Lenoir and Knuffman all started in their 30th consecutive game, every contest of their collegiate career.
 
 
 
 
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