MACOMB, Ill. - It's not often that a team returns a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown, but that's exactly what occurred in Western Illinois' 27-24 victory over Youngstown State.
Michael Lawson and Tony Tate brought the energy to power WIU to its first win of the spring season.
"[The win] means a lot. It doesn't mean anything in playoffs or postseason play, but to this football team, it means a whole lot," said head coach Jared Elliott.
"Wins in this conference are very hard to come by and one thing I don't think anyone can say about our team is that we aren't a gusty team that fights. I got a bunch of warriors in that locker room. Regardless of the score or situation, those guys play hard. That gives me more pride than anything."
Following a defensive three-and-out on the 'Guins' opening possession, Western Illinois' special teams unit took a moment to shine. Lawson returned a punt 36 yards for his first career Leatherneck score (9:34), and it marked the first of five touchdowns in the opening half.
The closing minutes were just as exhilarating, as WIU shaved 38 seconds off the clock to crown a five-play, 75-yard drive with a 43-yard touchdown hookup between Tate and Connor Sampson. Unfortunately for them, Youngstown State responded as time expired to enter the locker room up, 21-13.
Western had a chance to tack in a score late in the first quarter, but a goal line stand at Youngstown State's one-yard line led to a turnover on downs.
As the open mentioned, Tate found the end zone for a second time on a 95-yard kick return in the third quarter -- the ninth-longest in program history -- and sparks continued to fly in the fourth quarter.
Lawson's impressive showing also included picking off the Penguins' QB at the YSU33, and Sampson and Tate scored on the ensuing drive. A successful two-point conversion put the Leathernecks on top 27-24 with 6:35 remaining.
The Leathernecks' final two games will be on the road at Southern Illinois (April 10) and South Dakota (April 17).
Notes
- Leatherneck newcomers are responsible for seven of the 14 touchdowns scored on the year; Lawson added his name to the list with a 36-yard punt return. He also added a career-high 14 tackles, his third game with 10-plus this season, and an interception.
- Tate's 95-yard kick return ties for ninth-longest in program history. Reggie Gray originally tallied the mark at Missouri State in 2002.
- Tate finished the game with 197 all-purpose yards (114 KR; 72 receiving) and three touchdowns.
- Western went 0-2 in field goals. It had a 35-yard attempt blocked in the fourth quarter (5:42) and a 24-yarder missed left in the fourth (12:38).
- Justin Nutof intercepted YSU's quarterback with 1:41 left to secure the win.
