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Lance Lenoir at Illinois State.
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Leathernecks Cannot Answer in Second Half at #3 Illinois State

Lance Lenoir becomes the all-time receptions leader in WIU history.

Box Score PHOTOS

NORMAL, Ill. – Western Illinois jumped out to a 28-21 lead early in the third quarter, but No. 3 ranked Illinois State scored four unanswered touchdowns as the Leathernecks dropped a 48-28 Missouri Valley Football Conference decision on Saturday (Oct. 24).
 
In a battle of the two remaining undefeated teams in the MVFC, the 20th-ranked Leathernecks fell to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the MVFC while ISU improved to 6-1 and 4-0.
 
Junior wide receiver Lance Lenoir became the all-time leader in receptions as he hauled in 11 catches totaling a season-high 131 yards. Needing just three to tie, Lenoir surpassed the mark on a 42-yard catch now with 161 all-time (passing Reggie Gray).

"Give credit to Illinois State. They played well, particularly on offensively. One of the things going into the game that was a priority for us we had to minimize their big play potential. We did not do a very good job on that today," said head coach Bob Nielson. "I think we made some young mistakes on defense but at the same time I don't want to take away the fact they have some very good players. I was pleased with the way our guys fought and battled. Obviously this is a tough place to play, especially when you have a young football team. We've been improving. We'll have regroup, we have another big game next week."
 
Western just missed on a first down during its opening drive, coming up two yards shy on 3rd-and-long. Following the punt ISU (6-1, 4-0) took over on its own 35. Two plays later quarterback Tre Roberson broke through on the left side and raced 65 yards for a touchdown 93 seconds into the game.
 
The Leathernecks held on defense in the next series, and took advantage of an ISU punt that landed on the Redbird 47. Western needed nine plays to cover the 47 yards, capped by Trenton Norvell's 5-yard touchdown pass to Lenoir. The point after by Nathan Knuffman tied the score at 7-all with 7:39 left in the opening quarter.
 
ISU covered 73 yards in nine plays, capped by Roberson's 9-yard touchdown run, for a 14-7 lead late in the first. The Leatherneck defense forced two Redbirds fumbles, but the officials said both times the runner was down and later already crossed the goal line.
 
The Redbirds were driving again, but stopped when Aaron Diggs picked off his second pass in as many weeks following a diving catch in which he landed on the one. WIU drove 99 yards in 11 plays and tied it with Nikko Watson's 1-yard run and Knuffman point after.
 
Illinois State regained the lead with just under five minutes in the half after a 41-yard touchdown pass from Roberson to Anthony Warrum. Western found another answer.
 
The Leathernecks marched 75 yards on eight plays, capped by Norvell beating a blitz and finding Stacey Smith on a 24-yard touchdown. Knuffman tied the game with 2:36 left in the half.
 
Western got a big stop on 3rd-and-1 to start the second half as Diggs stopped Marshaun Coprich for a loss. After the punt, Western marched 81 yards on nine plays. Facing a 3rd-and-5 at the 10, Devon Moore broke through the middle for a 10-yard TD run and eventual 28-21 lead. From there it was ISU and the big plays.
 
The Redbirds tied the game 28-28 when Roberson connected with Warrum on a 65-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter. After a quick 3-and-out by Western, Illinois State needed three plays to regain the lead thanks to a 19-yard TD run by Coprich.
 
WIU couldn't catch a break on the next ISU drive. Coprich was hit by Brett Taylor at the goal line and fumbled. However, the ball bounced right into Warrum's hands in the endzone for a touchdown. The extra point was missed making it 41-28 with 11:17 left. Coprich broke the 200-yard rushing mark when he broke loose for an 83-yard touchdown late in the game.
 
Norvell turned in his sixth career 300-yard passing game finishing 27-for-47 for 313 yards and two touchdowns. Borsellino added six receptions for 48 yards. J'Vaughn Williams recorded season-highs of five catches for 82 yards.
 
Taylor led the defense with nine tackles and the forced fumble. Redshirt-freshman Michael Bishoff tied a career-high in tackles with six. Diggs and Dallas Nichols each had an interception in the game.
 
ISU pulled away in the second half for total yards, ending up with a 517-444 edge. Coprich gained 206 yards on 29 attempts while Roberson added 89.
 
Western returns to Hanson Field next Saturday (Oct. 31), playing host to Youngstown State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the game can be seen live on ESPN3.
 
GAME NOTES: Norvell's first touchdown pass in the opening quarter was the 50th TD pass of his Leatherneck career. He ranks second all-time with 51 touchdowns… The last time Western had a 99-yard scoring drive was last season at Southern Illinois, also an 11-play scoring drive… Stacey Smith completed his first career pass attempt, a 19-yarder to Williams during that 99-yard drive… Watson's touchdown run in the second quarter was the 16th of his career, tying him for ninth place all-time… Norvell moved into third place all-time in passing yards and total offense… Lenoir moved into fourth place all-time in receiving yards… Diggs picked up his second career interception while for Nichols it was his fourth all-time… Western gave up a sack in the first half, the first one allowed since the season-opener against Eastern Illinois… True-freshman Nicholas Kaltmayer saw his first action in the game at offensive tackle, and sophomore transfer quarterback Craig Slowik made his Leatherneck debut late in the game… Western finished the regular season 2-1 versus FCS teams from the state of Illinois.
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Players Mentioned

Michael Bishoff

#47 Michael Bishoff

LB
6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
Elk Grove
Aaron Diggs

#5 Aaron Diggs

DB
6' 1"
Sophomore
Millennium
Nathan Knuffman

#33 Nathan Knuffman

K/P
6' 1"
Junior
Camp Point Central
Lance Lenoir

#7 Lance Lenoir

WR
6' 0"
Junior
Crete Monee
Devon Moore

#28 Devon Moore

RB
6' 2"
Junior
Jefferson City
Dallas Nichols

#25 Dallas Nichols

DB
6' 2"
Senior
Central (AZ) / Glendale CC
Trenton Norvell

#14 Trenton Norvell

QB
6' 5"
Junior
Seabreeze
Brett Taylor

#44 Brett Taylor

LB
6' 2"
Sophomore
Macomb
J

#15 J'Vaughn Williams

WR
6' 5"
Junior
Collinsville
Nicholas Kaltmayer

#74 Nicholas Kaltmayer

OL
6' 7"
Freshman
Edwardsville
Nikko Watson

#41 Nikko Watson

RB
6' 0"
Senior
Rock Island
Stacey Smith

#13 Stacey Smith

WR
5' 8"
Redshirt Freshman
Schaumburg

Players Mentioned

Michael Bishoff

#47 Michael Bishoff

6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
Elk Grove
LB
Aaron Diggs

#5 Aaron Diggs

6' 1"
Sophomore
Millennium
DB
Nathan Knuffman

#33 Nathan Knuffman

6' 1"
Junior
Camp Point Central
K/P
Lance Lenoir

#7 Lance Lenoir

6' 0"
Junior
Crete Monee
WR
Devon Moore

#28 Devon Moore

6' 2"
Junior
Jefferson City
RB
Dallas Nichols

#25 Dallas Nichols

6' 2"
Senior
Central (AZ) / Glendale CC
DB
Trenton Norvell

#14 Trenton Norvell

6' 5"
Junior
Seabreeze
QB
Brett Taylor

#44 Brett Taylor

6' 2"
Sophomore
Macomb
LB
J

#15 J'Vaughn Williams

6' 5"
Junior
Collinsville
WR
Nicholas Kaltmayer

#74 Nicholas Kaltmayer

6' 7"
Freshman
Edwardsville
OL
Nikko Watson

#41 Nikko Watson

6' 0"
Senior
Rock Island
RB
Stacey Smith

#13 Stacey Smith

5' 8"
Redshirt Freshman
Schaumburg
WR