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Western Illinois University Athletics

Max Norris
17
Northern Iowa UNI 4-4 , 3-2
37
Winner Western Illinois WIU 4-4 , 3-2
Northern Iowa UNI
4-4 , 3-2
17
Final
37
Western Illinois WIU
4-4 , 3-2
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UNI Northern Iowa 3 7 0 7 17
WIU Western Illinois 0 16 7 14 37

Game Recap: Football |

Leathernecks Cruise to Second ‘Top 25’ Victory of the Year

Western defeated No. 17/23 UNI, 37-17, in its largest margin of victory and second-fewest points allowed this season.

MACOMB, Ill. – In a 37-17 decision over No. 17/23 Northern Iowa Saturday (Oct. 27), Western Illinois posted its third consecutive season with at least two victories over a 'Top 25' team. 

The Leathernecks (4-4, 3-2 Missouri Valley Football Conference) have two under their belt this season after defeating then-No. 15 Montana, 31-27, in September. Both victories were recorded at Hanson Field. 

"Whenever you're playing a good football team like this, sometimes it takes a little bit of feeling-out period in the beginning," said head coach Jared Elliott. "That first drive we were stalled, but I love how I guys came out and took the field the very next drive. They responded, and we really had some good, methodical drives throughout the game. All the formula that we talk about and believe in, we did today – we won the turnover margin, we ran the football, we played great defense, we played good special teams and really again, played team, complimentary football."

Penalties outweighed total offense, 39-30, for Western until its go-ahead touchdown drive between the first and second quarters. The stretch spanned nine plays and 75 yards and highlighted a 30-yard reception by Clint Ratkovich. 

The red-shirt sophomore maintained possession through a stiff tackle at the UNI one-yard line, and Max Norris punched it into the end zone to bring the score 7-3 in favor of the Leathernecks. 

Northern Iowa answered on its next drive, but Western responded even quicker. Not even a minute rolled off the clock when Sean McGuire crowned a two-play drive with a 69-yard dart up the left hashmark to Isaiah LeSure. McGuire was a perfect 8-for-8 at that point, and the Leathernecks held a 14-10 edge. 

Defensive pressure helped Western to a six-point lead at halftime as Pete Swenson recorded a strip sack in the end zone for a safety. The Panthers were standing at WIU's 28-yard line when Andre Whitley jumped in front of a pass to end the half on an interception. 

"Your units feed off each other. It takes all three phases to win big games against good football teams - your offense building off of a great defense, your defense complimenting the offense. In the second half, we won the field position battle with our special teams and Nathan Erickson, what a game he had with all the touchbacks. It takes everybody involved. I'm very proud of my staff for a very good gameplan, and obviously, our boys executed today."  

The defense continued to catalyze Western's offense in the second half, allowing 137 yards and just one touchdown in the final minutes of the game.

The final box captured Western's largest margin of victory and the second-fewest points allowed this season. 

Western hits the road for its next two games with trips to Southern Illinois (Nov. 3) and South Dakota (Nov. 10) before closing the regular season at home against Indiana State (Nov. 17). 

•    The Leathernecks recorded a pair of wins over ranked opponents in 2016 and 2017 and three in the 2015 season 
•    Western last recorded a safety at Northern Iowa last season after Pete Swenson sacked Eli Dunne in the end zone 
•    Clint Ratkovich has had a touchdown reception in back-to-back games
•    Max Norris recorded two, one-yard rushing touchdowns (his first of the season)
•    Isaiah LeSure finished the game with 100-plus receiving yards (164) for the second time this season and added two touchdowns 
•    Justin Fitzpatrick led the Leathernecks with a career-high 11 tackles (nine solo) 
•    Nathan Erickson recorded four touchbacks on six kickoffs 
 
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