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Western Illinois University Athletics

Sean McGuire
Larry Dean
16
Western Illinois WIU 2-3 , 1-1
33
Winner Illinois State ILS 4-1 , 1-1
Western Illinois WIU
2-3 , 1-1
16
Final
33
Illinois State ILS
4-1 , 1-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIU Western Illinois 6 7 3 0 16
ILS Illinois State 2 10 0 21 33

Game Recap: Football |

McGuire Makes History at Illinois State

Quarterback Sean McGuire became the Leathernecks’ all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns at Illinois State.

NORMAL, Ill. – Though it dropped the game, 33-16, Western Illinois football made history at Hancock Stadium as quarterback Sean McGuire became the Leathernecks' all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. 

He eclipsed the marks previously held by Paul Singer (1985-88) at No. 14/15 Illinois State, finishing the game with 8,269 and 64, respectively. McGuire surpassed the touchdown record on Western's opening drive with a 16-yard pass to Tony Tate and eclipsed the yardage mark in the fourth quarter on a nine-yarder to Steve McShane.

"This guy continues to get better and better," said head coach Jared Elliott. "He's a very unique and special young man, and I've never coached anyone like him. We've got some special kids, and I cannot be more proud of them, even after tough loses where it hurts the most. The effort and how these guys compete and fight; we'll heal from the hurt, 24-hour rule, and we'll move on and get better." 

Western's opening drive captured its fifth consecutive game of scoring first as Tate crossed the pylon on a 16-yard catch and run for his second career Leatherneck touchdown. The extra point was blocked and returned for two points, and the 6-2 advantage stuck until 10:15 in the second quarter where the Redbirds recorded their lone touchdown of the half.

Just before the break, Western's defensive pressure put the visitors in position to score a go-ahead touchdown. Zach Glisan and Pete Swenson tackled a Redbird behind the line for a three-yard loss, Xavier Rowe broke-up a pass, and Swenson crowned the drive with a sack; the three-and-out led to McShane dancing around a few Redbird defenders for a 23-yard punt return and he found the end zone on a 35-yard reception. 

At the half, Western held a 13-12 edge. The defense limited ILS scoreless with six yards of total offense in the third quarter, but despite the solid play, the field position game lied in favor of the Redbirds. They pinned WIU inside its 10-yard line on back-to-back drives (the final of the third quarter and first of the fourth), before a touchback put the Leathernecks at their 20.

"Field position was no question one of the factors of this game, but that's a credit to Illinois State. We had some opportunities in the third quarter but didn't take advantage of them," said Elliott. "Offensively, we have to be more consistent. We have got to do a better job on first and second downs; we're giving up way too many third and longs, and that makes it hard to convert and stay on the field. Illinois State had some adjustments for us and were able to apply some pressure without having to pressure. We'll get back and figure out some of the ways and things that we need to do to help our young offensive line out and protect Sean and give us a chance."  

With Western unable to move the ball into Illinois State territory, the Redbirds used 77 yards of offense and an interception to score three times in the fourth quarter. 

Western returns to Hanson Field next Saturday to "Pack It Purple" against the reigning national champions North Dakota State. Support the Leathernecks, donning your finest purple for the 6 p.m. kick. 

Notes

- The Leathernecks have scored a touchdown on their first drive in each of the last three games and have scored first in every game this season
- Sean McGuire passed Paul Singer (1985-88) for the program's all-time record in passing touchdowns and passing yards
- Adam Fellner recorded 407 punting yards, the most of his career
- Darren Wheeler tied his career-high with five tackles
- 20 Leathernecks recorded a tackle in the contest
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