MACOMB, Ill. - Saturday afternoon (Nov. 6) saw the final home showing of the regular season for Western Illinois football (2-8, 2-5) this fall. South Dakota came to town for a week ten contest at Hanson Field, and the Coyotes went on to secure a 42-21 decision.

A large group of 23 Leathernecks was honored as part of 'Senior Day' ahead of the game: Terin Adams, Aaron Adu, Brandon Arnold, Daniel Bender, Damien Crumitie, Tim Dolan, Adam Fellner, Jordan Haven, Dennis Houston, Draysean Hudson, Dejohn Jones, Michael Lawson, Dallas Martin, Matt Mattingly, Jalen Powe, Eryk Preston, Connor Sampson, Nakota Shepard-Creer, Mason Sikes, Shawntrez Spates, Tony Tate, Will Waddell, and Myles Wanza.

For the second time in as many games, a Leatherneck senior broke a new single-season program record. Dennis Houston notched the feat this time in receptions, as his 85 total on the season tops Jaelon Acklin's 84-reception mark set in 2017.

"There were several things that we just did not do well enough to give ourselves a chance to win that game," acknowledged WIU head coach Jared Elliott. "I love these seniors and team more than anything and we all wish the outcome could have been different for those 23 guys who have done a lot for this program. Still, I love how everyone continued to fight and compete."

South Dakota scored first on a catch for 91 yards. Tony Tate stood out on Western's subsequent drive -- first hauling in a 22-yard catch and then spotting fellow senior Daniel Bender for a 40-yard bomb to the USD05. Myles Wanza completed the deed with a short rushing touchdown, as the score became even at 7-7. Western's defense forced a couple of three-and-outs as the quarter winded down.

With a good field position to open the second frame, it didn't take long for WIU to score again, this time on a slant route to Tate. Down 14-7, South Dakota made a quick turnaround in capturing an interception and immediately scoring a 60-yard throw on the first play of its next drive. After a few traded stops, the Coyotes upped their lead to 28-14 on a 1-yard run right before the half expired.

USD grabbed another interception early in the third period, but a Michael Lawson sack helped boost the Leatherneck defense to make a quick three-and-out stop. Quick stops on both sides took up the rest of the remaining minutes, as the Coyotes remained in front, 28-14.

Another short rush propelled USD's advantage to 35-14 after the final quarter's first 40 seconds. A Leatherneck turnover on downs at the 7:42 mark led to a final touchdown by the Coyotes. Ludovick Choquette gave Western some additional points with a 21-yard catch in the end zone before the afternoon concluded in the visitors' favor.

Next, Western is off for a bye week, followed by a regular-season finale at Northern Iowa (Nov. 20).
 

Notes

• Dennis Houston's 85 receptions in 10 games are the most in the fewest number of contests within the WIU record books. 

• During the game, Connor Sampson became second all-time in career pass completions. He currently has notched a total of 703. Sean McGuire, a former teammate of Sampson, holds the highest clip of 771.

• Adam Fellner's 69-yard punt was the senior's best kick of the season and the second-longest of his career. The punt is tied for tenth-best in program history for single-game records.

• Tony Tate and Ludovick Choquette reached new season-highs in receiving yards, with 115 and 86.

• Juan DelaCruz led the defense for the first time with nine tackles, which was also a season-high for the sophomore linebacker.