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Western Illinois University Athletics

MSU VS. WIU
Missouri State Athletics
14
Western Ill. WIU 0-8 , 0-5
64
Winner Missouri St. MSU 3-5 , 1-4
Western Ill. WIU
0-8 , 0-5
14
Final
64
Missouri St. MSU
3-5 , 1-4
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIU Western Ill. 0 7 0 7 14
MSU Missouri St. 17 28 10 9 64

Game Recap: Football | | WIU Athletic Communications

Western Illinois drops game at Missouri State

Bears too much for Leathernecks

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – The Western Illinois football team ran into a tough Missouri State squad on Saturday as the Bears topped the Leathernecks 64-14 on MSU's Homecoming. The loss drops the Leathernecks to 0-8 overall, 0-5 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. 
 
The Bears took their opening drive to the WIU one-yard line, but the Leathernecks were able to stand tall and force MSU to settle for a field goal. Unfortunately for the Leathernecks, Missouri State's offense would continue its scoring ways, taking a 17-0 lead after a quarter while the Leatheneck offense could not get on track.
 
Western Illinois went deep into its playbook early in the second quarter however, earning its first score. Facing a fourth down at the Missouri State eight, Western lined up for a field goal attempt. But, holder Jack Beulke took the snap, rolled out and hit Nathan Karsjens for an eight-yard touchdown pass.
 
It was the first pass and passing touchdown for Beulke as a Leatherneck and Karsjens' first receiving touchdown of the season, cutting the deficit to 17-7 at the 13:32 mark of the second quarter.
 
From there though, it was all Bears. Missouri State would score 41-straight points to lead 58-7 early in the fourth quarter.
 
The Leathernecks would end the scoring drought as Clay Bruno (14-34-1, 1 TD, 207 yards) hit Naseim Brantley (six catches, 120 yards, one TD) on a 48-yard pass.
 
Missouri State would control the ball, holding a 38:48-21:12 time of possession advantage while outgaining Western Illinois 597-229. Missouri State rushed the ball 44 times for 214 yards and completed 26-34 passes for 383. WIU gained 14 yards on the ground on 22 attempts and threw for 215 yards.
 
Defensively, Juan DelaCruz led the way, finishing with 11 tackles, a new career high. Ryan Crandall added 10 tackles, three for loss, while T.J. Limehouse and Chase Graham each added eight.
 
On special teams, Jay Parker had a big day for the Leathernecks, returning seven kickoffs for 154 yards, an average of 22 per try.
 
Beulke added four punts with an average of 36.3 per kick. The Leathernecks are next in action next Saturday, hosting North Dakota State at 1 p.m.
 
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