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Western Illinois University Athletics

Leathernecks take on Redbirds
13
Western Illinois WIU 0-11 , 0-8
20
Winner Illinois State ILS 6-5 , 4-4
Western Illinois WIU
0-11 , 0-8
13
Final
20
Illinois State ILS
6-5 , 4-4
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT F
WIU Western Illinois 0 7 3 3 0 13
ILS Illinois State 7 6 0 0 7 20

Game Recap: Football | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks fall in OT

Redbirds top Western in season finale

The Western Illinois football team fell in the season finale, losing to Illinois State 20-13 in overtime in Normal on Saturday. The loss ends the Leathernecks season at 0-11. Despite the loss, coach Myers Hendrickson came away pleased with his team's last performance and the year.
 
"The first thing, the wins and losses don't define us, it's about attitude, never quit, toughness, that's what showed true today, we worked and battled through and found a way to get into overtime," the coach said. "Playing 60-plus minutes on the road against your rival in tough elements, I felt it showed a lot of resolve."
 
With cold and wind prevailing, the Leathernecks turned to the ground and back Erin Collins. Collins, along with the offensive line delivered, as the back had 33 carries for 163 yards. It was the most carries by a Leatherneck since Nikko Watson had 34 totes against Dayton in 2015. The 163 yards were the most since Steve McShane had 155 against Northern Arizona in 2016. The Leathernecks rank for a season-high 232 yards on 61 carries while 
 
"We talked about playing tough football all week, we knew coming here it'd be tough, we wanted to establish the run early, two tight end sets, Erin Collins, Seth Glatz (17 carries, 78 yards) came in and did some nice things," Hendrickson said. "Up front, Sidney Fugar, Ty O'Janovac, Chod Morrow, Charles Rutledge and Aidan Chance, they played really well and gave us a chance to win the game."
 
Collins had over 100 yards rushing in the first half and gave WIU its first score of the day, tying the game at 7-7.
 
"Just trust it, trust everything we've been through, everything we did during the week during practice," Collins said.
 
Illinois State scored first and an interception return for a touchdown, but the Leathernecks would not go away, keeping the Redbirds at bay most of the game.
 
Juan DelaCruz led the way, recording a career-high 13 tackles while adding a sack, two forced fumbles, a pass break-up and a tackle for loss. Chase Graham added 10 tackles and Sam Cook had two sacks, an interception and six tackles.
 
"The plan was to stop the run, 20 mile per hour winds, we did a pretty good job of that, we held them scoreless in the second half, it's just unfortunate the way it ended," DelaCruz said.
 
Western held ISU to one offensive touchdown in regulation and 223 total yards, the fewest the defense has allowed this season.
 
"Our defense played really well, Coach Savage and Coach Drury put in a good plan, both teams were going to try to run the ball," Hendrickson said. "The wind was unrelenting, it was across the field, then it would switch, so it was going to be about running the ball and stopping the run. We put them in tough spots, we stopped the run, we defended the pass, Sam Cook made a good interception, we had some takeaways, the defense played well enough to win the game."
 
ISU would take a 13-7 lead late in the first half, but a pair of Mason Laramie field goals (41 and 33) yards tied the game and forced overtime. In the extra session, Illinois State would score a touchdown, then stop the Leatherneck ensuing possession to secure the win.
 
"Right now, my thoughts are with our seniors," Hendrickson said. "We're now in a position to do some special things, I really don't think of this as the end of the season, more the start of something great and that's due in large part to our seniors who stayed and helped build."
 
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