MACOMB, Ill. - In a unique start to its football season, Western Illinois took to Hanson Field Saturday, Feb. 27, for its 2020-21 season-opener. It's not often regular-season play begins in the spring, but the Leathernecks opened their eight-game, conference-only slate with Missouri State.
The final resulted in a 30-24 loss for WIU.
"The third quarter was tough," said head coach Jared Elliott. "We put our defense in some really bad spots, and they absolutely played their tails off. We had at least three field possessions, if not four, backed up inside the 10 [yard line] and couldn't get a first down. You've got to get a first down, and we weren't able to do that, so really, we almost lost a quarter there of offensive football.
"At the end of the day, it's been a long road, a long journey for these guys. I'm extremely proud of how hard our guys played; that wasn't the issue today. Our issue today was like any first game, and especially one when you haven't played in so long, you've got to eliminate self-inflicted wounds."
Those wounds also included holding penalties - two of which negated touchdowns while another eliminated a 40-yard hookup that would have put the Leathernecks inside MSU's five-yard line. Those areas were the difference in the game, but there were also several high notes. Greg Benton Jr. tied things at 14-all in the second quarter with a 75-yard fumble recover and touchdown before newcomer Mason Laramie booted a 45-yard field goal as time expired.
Western led 17-14 at intermission.
Notes
- Captain Tony Tate recorded 161 all-purpose yards (87 kick return, 69 receiving)
- Dennis Houston led all WIU receivers with 71 yards on nine catches
- Connor Sampson completed 34 passes for 281 yards
- Herschel Blankenship posted a game-high, season-high 10 tackles (eight solo)
- Benton Jr. finished with the fumble recovery, seven tackles (six solo), two QB hurries, and a pass breakup
