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Western Illinois University Athletics

Indiana STate
15
Winner Indiana State INS 7-4 , 5-3
13
Western Illinois WIU 5-6 , 4-4
Winner
Indiana State INS
7-4 , 5-3
15
Final
13
Western Illinois WIU
5-6 , 4-4
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
INS Indiana State 3 6 3 3 15
WIU Western Illinois 3 0 10 0 13

Game Recap: Football |

Time-Expiring Field Goal Devastates Leathernecks in Season Finale

The matchup featured a tie and five lead changes before the visiting Sycamores converted on a 27-yard field goal as time expired

MACOMB, Ill. – It was a low-scoring, snowy affair inside Hanson Field Saturday (Nov. 17) where 21 Leathernecks played in their final collegiate football game. The Western Illinois – Indiana State matchup featured a tie and five lead changes before the visiting Sycamores converted on a 27-yard field goal as time expired. The final score read in favor of the team, 15-13. 

"We just didn't make enough plays at the end of the day," said head coach Jared Elliott. "That's what it comes down to; they made more than we did. 

"It was just one of those days, even if we did get something going, we had to keep battling adversity. I think we gave ourselves a chance at the end and we just didn't make the plays we needed to when that moment arose. Having said all that, I'm so proud of our 21 seniors. I told them that they left our program better than when they found it, and they have a lot to be proud of."

Entering the second quarter, Adam Fellner pinned the Sycamores at the one-yard line, but the visitors traveled 99 yards downfield for a touchdown. The 13-play drive broke the 3-3 stalemate set in the first frame, and the extra point was no good. 

The 9-3 score stuck through halftime, but with less than a minute to go before the half, there was a shift in momentum. Indiana State fumbled the snap on a punt, and the kicker was quickly wrapped up by Cole Watts to give the Leathernecks the ball at the INS18. 

An offensive pass interference call negated what would have been the game-tying touchdown, and the ensuing field goal was missed wide right. Western was unable to add points to the board before halftime, but the energy catapulted the team into the second half where Cameron Clemons worked a 35-yard kick return at the start of the third and Steve McShane crowned the drive with a 65-yard rushing touchdown. 

The teams traded field goals after the score, and neither found the end zone again, though Isaiah LeSure nearly added a go-ahead score on a 68-yard reception called back on a Leatherneck penalty. 

The final drive of the game saw Indiana State take over at its 20-yard line and as one of the nation's top rushing offense, the team stuck with its best weapon for six rushes. A facemask penalty helped move the Sycamores into field goal range with a little over 1:30 left. 

For seniors, Isaiah LeSure, Timothy Smith, Steve McShane,  Xavier Rowe, Sean McGuire, Izaiah Fuller, Zach Muniz, Justin Fitzpatrick, Larry Harleston, Quentin Moon, Michael Bishoff, Pete Swenson, Hunter Varga, Nathan Oquendo,Riggs Baxter, Thomas Kirsch, Drew Wagner, Adam Conrady,  LaQuay Brown, Grant Kasal, and Khalen Saunders the outing marked the last of their Leatherneck careers. 

•    Head coach Jared Elliott concluded his first year with an overall record of 5-6, 4-4 in the MVFC 
•    Steve McShane eclipsed 1,000 career receiving yards (1,031)
•    The decision capped the Leathernecks' winning streak over Indiana State at five 
•    Pete Swenson finished the game with his 28th career sack, to tie the school's all-time mark



 
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