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Western Illinois University Athletics

Steve McShane
Missouri State Athletics
31
Winner Western Illinois WIU 3-4 , 2-2
14
Missouri State MIS 4-3 , 2-2
Winner
Western Illinois WIU
3-4 , 2-2
31
Final
14
Missouri State MIS
4-3 , 2-2
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIU Western Illinois 7 3 7 14 31
MIS Missouri State 7 0 0 7 14

Game Recap: Football |

McShane Rushes to Top 10 in Leathernecks’ First Road Victory

Steve McShane recorded 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the Leathernecks’ 31-14 victory over Missouri State.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Western Illinois football (3-4, 2-2 Missouri Valley Football Conference) returned to the winning column Saturday with a 31-14 decision at Missouri State. The matchup marked the Leathernecks' first road victory of the year and also saw Steve McShane crack the school's top 10 list in career rushing yards. 

"I really felt like for the first time this year, we played a complete team game," said head coach Jared Elliott. "We were able to be aggressive in some certain situations for the win. We challenged our guys that we were going to be ultra-aggressive in this game, that we were going to play to win. It didn't always pay off, but I love the way our defense responded, they all bought in. I was really proud of how we played and executed the day."

The Leathernecks chopped nearly 10 minutes off the clock on their very first drive of the game. The stretch spanned 95 yards on 19 plays, which included a fourth-down conversion and three third-down conversions, before Sean McGuire connected with John Brunner in the end zone for a touchdown. 

Interceptions ended red zone opportunities for both teams in the second quarter, but Western capitalized on its extra possession to add three points. 

The scoreboard read 7-7 with less than two minutes in the half when Justin Fitzpatrick picked off MSU's quarterback and carried the ball 22 yards downfield, and the play set up Sam Crosa to split the uprights on a 31-yard field goal with seconds left on the clock.

The second half completely belonged to Western as the only hiccup was a 92-yard kick returned for a touchdown. McShane finished the day with 143 rushing yards on 19 attempts, for his sixth career game with 100-plus, and he currently manages 2,157 rushing yards to sit 10th all-time in the category. 

His first touchdown of the game occurred on a 37-yard run and the second on a 71-yard pass from McGuire. 

The Leathernecks welcome Northern Iowa to Hanson Field next Saturday for Super Hero Day. The program will be honoring its hometown heroes all game long, and all first responders and military service members can purchase a general admission ticket for $5 with their service ID. 

Notes
• Fourteen points marked the fewest scored by Missouri State this season; the Bears (4-3, 2-2) have top 25 victories over Northern Arizona and Illinois State 
• John Brunner now has three career receiving touchdowns, finding the end zone for the first time since the Leathernecks' 31-27 win over Montana
• Eric Carrera and Justin Fitzpatrick each recorded interceptions 
• Clint Ratkovich joined four other Western receivers with two or more receiving touchdowns on the season; he finished the day with a season-high, game-high 77 receiving yards
• Max Norris was also a threat on the ground with a season-high 87 rushing yards 
• Khalen Saunders led the defense with a team-high seven tackles (three solo)



 
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