MACOMB, Ill. - Breaking individual records is fun. Breaking individual records in rivalry wins at home is even more fun.

A historic all-time series persisted in 'The Land of Lincoln' on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 30) between Western Illinois football (2-7, 2-4) and Illinois State (3-5, 1-4). Showing its typical grit in refusing to back down, WIU was able to come from behind and secure its first home win of the fall, 38-31.

The day saw Connor Sampson become a new program holder in single-season pass completions, moving past Paul Singer's 239-mark set in 1987. Sampson ended the evening with 27 completions on 39 attempts for 298 passing yards. He currently sits at 253 completions this year.

"There's no better feeling than beating an in-state rival," said Sampson. "We struggled the last few weeks on third-down conversions and stayed positive throughout the game to make plays."

After receiving on kickoff, ISU scored less than a minute into the contest on a 45-yard run. However, the Leathernecks were able to gain ground as Mason Laramie put WIU in the scoring column with a 20-yard field goal at the 8:35 mark. Minutes later, Laramie added another kick from 42 yards out to have Western narrowly trailing, 7-6. Defense was composed of the final six and a half minutes.

Similar to the first, ISU scored another rushing touchdown less than a minute into the second period. A recovery on a kickoff led to another quick touchdown, and the Redbirds stretched their lead to 21-6. Hunter Mason and Darius Joiner led a focused Leatherneck defense to keep ISU from plugging any further points before Tony Tate scored WIU's first receiving touchdown less than 40 seconds remaining before halftime.

After blocking a field goal attempt in the third, ISU compiled a 10-play drive on its way to scoring seven more, going up 28-13. Things then began to go the course of the Leathernecks, with Jack Whyte first ringing in a 20-yard touchdown catch. Joiner forced a fumble for fellow defensive standout Michael Lawson to collect during the Redbirds' ensuing drive, who ran it in for 41 yards. A beautiful find from Sampson to Dennis Houston evened the score at 28-28, capping off a significant swing of momentum from Western in the quarter.

Houston dove into the endzone for WIU's first lead of the evening -- at the fourth period's 10:31 mark. ISU sent in a field goal to stay close, but solid play from Western's receivers kept the passing attack sharp, and Laramie nailed a third field goal to up the advantage, 38-31. ISU tried once more on a final drive but could not make anything happen, as JJ Ross recovered a loose ball, victoriously ending the night.

"There was a more consistent execution, and I was very proud of how our guys played in the second half," noted WIU head coach Jared Elliott. "We went out, battled, and won the game. Simple as that."

WIU is back home for Senior Day next weekend (Nov. 6), facing South Dakota at 12 p.m.
 

Notes

• In the last two games, Connor Sampson has broken records for personal single-season passing yards (2,359) and program single-season pass completions (253).

• The 38-31 victory was WIU's largest win margin this fall.

• Juan DelaCruz and Raphael Orubo notched new season-highs in tackles, with eight and four, respectively.

• Michael Lawson is now the only Leatherneck who has recorded multiple interceptions for touchdown returns.

• Jack Whyte's receiving touchdown was his second of the 2021 campaign.

• Jalen Powe's forced fumble and fumble recovery were both firsts for the senior this year.