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Western Illinois University Athletics

WIU at SDSU football
WIU Athletics
10
Western Ill. WIU 0-5 , 0-2
34
Winner South Dakota St. SDS 4-1 , 2-0
Western Ill. WIU
0-5 , 0-2
10
Final
34
South Dakota St. SDS
4-1 , 2-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIU Western Ill. 0 3 0 7 10
SDS South Dakota St. 10 7 3 14 34

Game Recap: Football | | WIU Athletic Communications

Western slugs it out vs. SDSU

Jacks top Leathernecks 34-10

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Western Illinois was able to hang tough with No. 3/2 ranked South Dakota State on Saturday afternoon for three quarters, but the Jackrabbits were to take the win, defeating the Leathernecks 34-10.
 
"I got a ton of respect for Coach Stig and the South Dakota State football program, the consistency he's been able to build within his program, always sound and I felt like it was a slugfest for three quarters, I felt like our defense played great football," Western Illinois coach Myers Hendrickson said. "We missed opportunities to score, we're close, we are close in a lot of aspects but we did not finish drives or make big plays when we had the chances for big plays. Defensively we were steady, we played good ball, kept us in the game, but I love our effort. We talk about being relentless and I saw a relentless Leatherneck team today."
 
Western Illinois trailed 7-0 after SDSU's first drive, but was able to get down inside the redzone before a fumble ended the campaign. SDSU would stretch the lead to 10-0 but a 35-yard field goal by Mason Laramie cut the deficit to 10-3. SDSU would add a score before half but could not pull away as the Leatherneck defense allowed the team to hang around in the game.
 
"That was the emphasis, this week we didn't finish that second drive, we go down the field, feel great but didn't finish by getting the ball to the official like we talk about," Hendrickson said. "End of half, we kick a field goal, get close, like to score but Mason did a great job getting it through the upright, then a mistake on special teams led to an opportunity for them to score again, some situations we have to clean up."
 
South Dakota State would add a field goal to lead 20-3 after three quarters, then tack on a touchdown early in the final period to go ahead 27-3. SDSU added another score late in the game to go up 34-3.
 
The Leatherneck defense was able to bend but not break most of the day, frustrating a Jackrabbit offense through three quarters.
 
But in the fourth, SDSU took over, using a big advantage in time of possession (41:27-18:33) and running 80 plays to Western's 46 to wear down the Leathernecks.
 
T.J. Limehouse had another big day from the safety spot, registering double-digit tackles for the second-straight game. Limehouse finished the day with 11 stops, nine of the solo variety.
 
Linebacker Juan DelaCruz also had a big afternoon, finishing with eight tackles. Anthony Quinney, Sam Cook and Michael Newman also shined from the linebacker spot, as Quinney had six tackles, Cook finished with seven and Newman added six.
 
"I thought Leatherneck football tackled really well, I was proud of the way we tackled, we talk a lot about getting the ball out, playing physical, running to the ball defensively and I think that was the case, we played great defensive football," Hendrickson said. "I'm excited going into the bye week with the way we tackled, I think we're a physical football team, that's something you can hang your hat on. I think we're playing good, physical defense."
 
Western Illinois was able to score a touchdown in fourth as Henry Ogala completed a pass to Naseim Brantley. Brantley was tackled at the one-yard line, losing the ball but Jay Parker pounced on it for his first touchdown as a Leatherneck.
 
"That sums up Leatherneck football, that's who we are, we play hard without the football," the coach said. "As an offense, we don't block from behind, you run to the football and you block in front of the ball with great effort. I can't wait to watch where Jay started from to finish, get that football and get a touchdown. That sums up being relentless, being a Leatherneck, being a great teammate, he was running to the football as we preach, good things happen when you run to the ball, a great run and catch by Nas, then Jay is there to finish it off."
 
Quarterback Clay Bruno went 10-20 for 129 yards while Henry Ogala went 3-5 for 72 yards. Brantley led WIU receivers with four catches for 107 yards while Jaylin Jackson had two catches for 26 yards. Jaylen Reed added 22 yards rushing on eight attempts. Laramie went 1-1 on field goals and 1-1 on extra points.
 
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