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Western Illinois University Athletics

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37
Winner Western Illinois WIU 5-5 , 4-3
30
Indiana State INS 4-6 , 2-5
Winner
Western Illinois WIU
5-5 , 4-3
37
Final
30
Indiana State INS
4-6 , 2-5
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT F
WIU Western Illinois 3 7 14 6 7 37
INS Indiana State 13 7 10 0 0 30

Game Recap: Football | | WIU Athletic Communications

Watson, Leathernecks Rally for Overtime Win

Nikko Watson rushes for career-high three touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime

PHOTO GALLERY

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Down 17 in the first half, Western Illinois rallied to tie and thanks to Nikko Watson's 1-yard run in overtime the Fighting Leathernecks pulled out a 37-30 win Saturday afternoon (Nov. 14). Western snapped a three-game losing streak, and improved to 5-5 overall and 4-3 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
 
Western got to overtime thanks to Watson's 8-yard run early in the fourth quarter, but the Sycamores (4-6, 2-5) blocked the extra point attempt to keep the score tied at 30-all. During the final drive in regulation, ISU was called for a penalty and eventually had two incomplete passes and another for a loss to send the game to overtime.
 
Once again ISU won the toss and elected to go on defense. From there it was all Watson.
 
The senior running back had consecutive carries of 11, 9, 2, 2 and the 1-yard plunge to give the Leathernecks the lead for good. Watson turned in his 11th career 100-yard game, finishing with 153 yards on 30 attempts.
 
ISU got a 2-yard run to start then Matt Adam threw an incomplete pass thanks to a quarterback hurry from Kris Harley. Adam found Kelvin Cook for a 5-yard completion, but on 4th-and-3 Adam Brott broke up a pass intended for Cook to seal the win.
 
"I said in the locker room, if there's a prouder football coach in America I don't know where he is at. That was an effort that made you proud," said head coach Bob Nielson. "Things didn't go our way in the first half and give Indiana State credit. They executed really well… Our guys didn't (give up), they kept battling and they found a way to win a really tough football game on the road and now we have a chance next week to play a really big game, not just for our program but who knows. If we get a win and end up with six wins who knows what might happen."
 
Playing the program's first overtime game since November 15, 2008 (against Illinois State), and junior wide receiver Lance Lenoir, Jr. becoming the all-time receiving yards leader, nearly overshadowed the quarterback debut of redshirt-freshman Sean McGuire.
 
Subbing in for Trenton Norvell - who underwent surgery Friday for appendicitis - McGuire completed 4-of-5 passes for 35 yards and Watson gained 31 yards on the ground as Western marched into the redzone on the opening drive. The Leathernecks settled on a 27-yard field goal for the early 3-0 lead.
 
Indiana State took advantage of a mis-hit on a punt, taking over on the WIU 25 yard line. Three plays later Isaac Harker kept the ball for an 8-yard touchdown run, but the Sycamores missed the extra point to lead 6-3 midway through the first quarter.
 
The Sycamores took advantage of another short field following the interception of McGuire, taking over at the 25. Roland Genesy scored from two yards out and the PAT made it 13-3 in the final minute of the first quarter. Midway through the second quarter, ISU covered 81 yards and capped it by an Adam 7-yard touchdown run and 20-3 lead.
 
Western's offense responded, covering 75 yards in eight plays. McGuire hit Lenoir on a play in which the junior wide receiver broke a tackle and got to midfield. The redshirt-freshman capped it off with a 9-yard touchdown run, the first score of his collegiate career. Knuffman's PAT cut the deficit to 20-10.
 
The Leatherneck defense got a big 3rd-and-out to star the quarter and after a mis-hit on the punt got the ball on the ISU 30. After a 3-and-out, Western missed a 43-yard field goal just left. ISU took advantage to add to its lead. Adam threw an 8-yard touchdown to make it 27-10 with 10:31 left in the quarter.
 
On the ensuing drive, this time it was Western not wasting any time as on the second play McGuire hit Joey Borsellino on a 78-yard touchdown making it 27-17. The defense came up with a big play on the next ISU drive when Timothy Smith caught a deflected pass for his second interception this year. Just seven plays later Watson capped a 45-yard drive with a five yard scoring run.
 
Indiana State drove into WIU territory but came up short on third down, settling for a 30-yard field goal and 30-24 lead.
 
McGuire and the Leathernecks converted five times on third down during the ensuing drive, the last an 8-yard touchdown run by Watson. The Sycamores blocked the extra point attempt to keep the game tied at 30-all early in the fourth quarter.
 
McGuire completed 29-of-44 passes for 332 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. He also rushed for 28 yards on six attempts.
 
"Yesterday they told me I was going to get the start. It's unfortunate deal for Trenton. We've been praying for him and a speedy recovery," said McGuire. "Throughout the whole week I feel like down the line it goes for every position the next man up is always going to be prepared. Being a second string quarterback you get a lot of reps throughout the week regardless if you are starting or not. For me I already felt comfortable so when I got the word it was just suiting up and getting it done."
 
Borsellino also turned in a career-day, setting a new high of 187 yards on 10 receptions. The 78-yard catch was the longest of his career.
 
Lenoir moved past Reggie Gray by two yards with 2,428 yards all-time, finishing with 67 yards on eight receptions.
 
Riggs Baxter, in just his second-ever start, shared the team lead with eight tackles – along with sophomore Brett Taylor. Riggs recorded his first-ever sack.
 
Western out-gained ISU 524-416 and was 9-of-17 on third down. The biggest statistic might be Western, down by 10 after the first quarter, won for the first time in the Coach Nielson era when trailing after the first quarter (0-15 prior).
 
Kendall Walker made 18 tackles for the Sycamores (11 solos). Adam finished 25-of-44 for 261 yards and a TD.
Western closes out the regular season next Saturday (Nov. 21) at home versus No. 5 South Dakota State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the game can be seen live on ESPN3.
 
GAME NOTES: Norvell missed his first collegiate game in a WIU uniform, snapping a streak of 33 consecutive starts… Western's field goal on the opening drive was the first time this year the Leathernecks converted a field goal to start the game (5 punts, 2 TD, 1 fumble, 1 downs)… Watson now has 21 rushing touchdowns in his career, now tied for sixth place all-time… Watson moved up to fifth place all-time in rushing yards, now with 2,488… Borsellino jumped up to ninth place all-time with 1,646 receiving yards. He has now caught a pass in 20 straight games. The junior also tied for 10th place all-time with his fourth career 100-yard game… Lenoir extended his streak to 27 consecutive games with a catch… McGuire's yards nearly caught Paul Singer (363 at UNI in 1985) for the most passing yards by a Leatherneck freshman in a game. He is believed to have the most passing yards by a freshman QB making his first-ever start… Khalen Saunders recorded his first-ever quarterback sack… Attendance was 4,567… Western can clinch its first winning record in five years, and get the minimum six Division I wins needed to qualify for the playoffs.
 
 
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