MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois football team went toe-to-toe with the 10th ranked team in the nation, and in the end, untimely mistakes set the final score at 23-14 for Montana State.

The Leathernecks trailed 17-14 entering the final quarter of their home opener, where the final 15 minutes captured an interception, fumble, and a costly 15-yard penalty on third down.

"Our kids played their tails off for 60 minutes, and they fought. We just had some untimely penalties that hurt — a turnover in the red [zone], the special team's play that flubbed and bounced off a player," said head coach Jared Elliott.

"That's the respect you have to have for football; sometimes you get bounces you can't control, and you've got to find a way to overcome them."

Both sides touched the ball in the final minute before halftime, and just as the clock read all zeros, Marquis Smith had his hand on an attempt to the end zone. The junior defensive back registered a pair of pass break-ups at the break -- the second spoiling any chance of a last-second score -- and Western entered the locker room tied, 7-7.

At the 6:14 mark of the second quarter, Dennis Houston turned on the jets for a 65-yard catch and run. 

Western limited big plays the entire first half but allowed an 87-yard rushing touchdown to kick off the second. The score was immediately answered by an eight-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in Jared Drake's first Leatherneck touchdown, and the 17-14 difference marked the closest of the latter half.

"There are no moral victories," Elliott continued. "We'll come back tomorrow to correct a lot of things. We've got to play consistently; there are flashes this team is showing, and it's just stacking it all together."

Western began the fourth quarter at the MSU 25-yard line, and it looked as if the go-ahead or game-tying score was in the horizon, but an interception at the 10-yard line thwarted the plan. The Bobcats finished the ensuing drive by recovering a touched punt at WIU's 25-yard line (12:00), and the extra possession led to a 41-yard field goal. 

Western (0-3) returns to Hanson Field next Saturday as it plays host to Tennessee Tech at 3 p.m.

• The Leathernecks 337 yards of total offense marked a season-high, and the 343 allowed to Montana State cemented a season-low
• Dennis Houston's 65-yard reception tied for the longest play of the season; he became the first Leatherneck receiver to post 100-plus receiving yards this year (141)
• Zach Glisan recorded game-high nine tackles (six solo) with one tackle for loss. He guided the defense alongside captain Tom Rehfeld who added eight tackles (four solo)
• Smith finished the game with six tackles, a forced fumble and recovery and three pass breakups
• Western has forced at least one fumble in back-to-back games