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Western Illinois University Athletics

Sean McGuire
Larry Dean
12
Western Illinois WIU 5-5 , 4-3
17
Winner South Dakota USD 4-6 , 3-4
Western Illinois WIU
5-5 , 4-3
12
Final
17
South Dakota USD
4-6 , 3-4
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIU Western Illinois 3 0 0 9 12
USD South Dakota 7 0 3 7 17

Game Recap: Football |

Late Heroics Not Enough in Vermillion

Daymon Murray recovered a punt in the end zone for a late touchdown but the Leathernecks’ couldn’t close the gap.

VERMILLION, S.D. – Joe Turk and Daymon Murray ignited the Western Illinois contingent, but the late heroics weren't enough as South Dakota snapped the Leathernecks' three-game winning streak in a 17-12 decision in Vermillion.

Western's defensive and special teams units came up huge down the stretch after limiting the Coyotes to 10 yards on their penultimate drive. Turk blocked the ensuing punt in the end zone, and Murray walked away with his first Leatherneck touchdown after recovering the ball. 

"We just didn't play very well today, to sum it all up. It starts with me, I've got to do a better job. Our guys just didn't execute like we should have, and that really starts with me. We could have done a better job on offense, and we left a lot out there and we left a lot of really good field position out there," said head coach Jared Elliott. "There's a lot to clean up, but I told the guys in the locker room, 'We've had some great wins together and this is a tough loss that we have together.' We're going to win and lose together, and we're going to stay together and not point fingers. We're going to move on and correct the things we need to correct and go find a way to beat Indiana State next week."

The Leathernecks struck first with a career-long 52-yard field goal from Nathan Erickson, but the advantage was short lived as the Coyotes responded on the next possession. The team faced third and goal at Western's seven-yard line before a pass interference call provided extra downs at the WIU2.  

USD scored with a short touchdown pass, and the 7-3 edge remained through halftime, though the scoreboard could have captured extra points on both sides. 

The Coyotes were inches away from scoring on two different occasions, but both drives concluded with turnovers in the end zone. Xavier Rowe picked off the opposing quarterback with 13:37 on the clock in the second quarter and just before the half, Quentin Moon forced a fumble that Darron Wheeler recovered for a touchback. 

Western had its chances to score as well but couldn't take advantage of Isaiah LeSure's 53-yard kick return, before missing a 39-yard field goal wide right. The team was knocking on the door of its first touchdown, eying first and goal at the USD10 in the third quarter, when a pass from McGuire was intercepted. 

Despite the missteps, it was anyone's game to take in the second half. 

Kai Henry helped the Coyotes to a 17-6 edge on a rushing touchdown with 9:14 remaining, but the game returned to a one-possession difference minutes later with the blocked punt and score. 

Western will wrap the regular season at home next Saturday against Indiana State. The program plans to celebrate its 21 seniors just before the 1 p.m. kickoff. 

Notes

•    The Leathernecks haven't blocked a punt for a TD since 2014; David McDaniel (block), Brad Blumenshine (return) vs. Drake 
•    Western recorded 272 yards of total offense, the fewest this season
•    Nathan Erickson tied his career-long with a 52-yard FG; Western's longest attempt this season 
•    Pete Swenson leads the nation in tackles for loss, and posted three Saturday that combined for 18 yards lost
•    Three points marked the fewest scored in the first half this season
•    The Leathernecks winning streak concluded with three games (victories over Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois) 
 
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