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Western Illinois University Athletics

Marquis Smith
10
Western Illinois WIU 0-6 , 0-2
20
Winner Indiana State INS 3-3 , 1-1
Western Illinois WIU
0-6 , 0-2
10
Final
20
Indiana State INS
3-3 , 1-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIU Western Illinois 0 10 0 0 10
INS Indiana State 0 0 10 10 20

Game Recap: Football |

Leathernecks Unable to Sustain

Western shutout Indiana State 10-0 at the half before surrendering 20 unanswered points.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Western Illinois football team was unable to sustain an early advantage and fell, 20-10, on the road at Indiana State Saturday (Oct. 12).
 
"There is no question, we left way too much out there," said head coach Jared Elliott. "We were a completely different team in the second half than what we were in the first. In the first half, we played the type of football that we want. We still left several opportunities out there on offense, but the defense played the way we expect.  The second half was just flat out not good enough in every phase. You have got to be able to finish when you have a slight lead, and you have to capitalize. We didn't do that today." 
 
If at first you don't succeed, try again. The Leathernecks went for it twice on fourth down, and the second attempt paid off as Jared Drake was left wide open at the five-yard line for a 23-yard touchdown reception. The second quarter captured all 10 of Western's first-half points and also marked the first time, this season, that the team shutout an opponent at the break.
 
Indiana State was limited to 71 yards of total offense and three first downs at the half, helped in part by Western forcing and recovering a pair of fumbles. With 2:38 on the clock, Herschel Blankenship jumped on a dropped punt return to put his team at the Sycamore's 18-yard line. It led to Nathan Erickson pushing a 38-yard field goal through the uprights.
 
The third quarter concluded in a 10-all tie. Time of possession favored the Sycamores 10:05 to 4:55, as the home team came out of the gate with a 12-play, 68-yard touchdown drive.
 
The Leathernecks possessed the ball for just 4:15 in the final frame.
 
Western returns to Hanson Field next Saturday in a 1 p.m. meeting against Illinois State. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the team will be collecting funds to benefit Linda's Fund.
 
Linda's Fund was created in October 2008 in memory of Linda (Ren) Bainter as an initiative in support for women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families. Linda's Fund offers financial assistance to women in west-central Illinois who are using the services of McDonough District Hospital. 
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