MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois' most storied football rivalry added another chapter Saturday (Oct. 19) in a 28-14 decision that went to No. 10/11 Illinois State. The meeting marked the 102nd all-time, dating back to 1904.
Half of the visitor's points were scored on takeaways. After obtaining the ball on a forced fumble, the Redbirds put seven on the board on their very first possession and led the entire way.
"I thought our kids handled it really well. Going into the game, we put a lot on our guys, and they handled it well, so credit to our players. Our offensive staff did a really good job. It worked enough to move the ball, but it didn't work enough to win. We can't turn the ball over, and we have to finish drives," said head coach Jared Elliott.
The Redbirds took a 14-0 edge into halftime before the Leathernecks fired back with a 14-play, 80-yard scoring drive. The third-quarter performance ended with DeShon Gavin's first career touchdown (3:34), and marked Western's second trip to the red zone.
The team had an opportunity to enter halftime down by just one-possession, but an interception at the Illinois State two-yard line thwarted momentum. Back-to-back touchdowns in the final frame put Illinois State up, 28-7, with 10:58 remaining, and George Wahee notched the final Leatherneck score on a four-yard reception (5:57).
"I'm extremely proud of this team," Elliott continued, "and I'd take these guys into battle anywhere. As hurtful as it is right now, with where we are, it's a breath of fresh air to be around a bunch of guys that care about each other as much as they do. They have an undeniable will to win even though we haven't. Our guys understand there are no moral victories. We expected to win that game. Our entire locker room expected to win that game, and we didn't, so we're upset, and we're hurt about it."
The rest of the season will see the Leathernecks go back and forth between home and road play, with the next Missouri Valley Football matchup taking place at Youngstown State. Game time is set for Saturday at 1 p.m.
Notes
- Western still manages an edge in the all-time series, 51-48-3
- Clint Ratkovich recorded a season-high 93 receiving yards and 138 all-purpose yards
- Eric Carrera recorded 10 or more tackles for the third time in his career and also added an interception; he finished the game with 11
- The Leathernecks lost five turnovers (three fumbles and two interceptions)
- No. 10/11 Illinois State is the second ranked opponent Western has faced this season
