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Western Illinois University Athletics

Brantley
WIU Athletics
25
Western Illinois WIU 0-1
42
Winner UT Martin UTM 1-0
Western Illinois WIU
0-1
25
Final
42
UT Martin UTM
1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIU Western Illinois 0 7 6 12 25
UTM UT Martin 7 14 14 7 42

Game Recap: Football | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks fall in opener at UT Martin

Brantley's big night not enough

MARTIN, Tenn. -- A new era of Leatherneck football and a new season began on Thursday night in Martin, Tennessee with Western Illinois taking a 42-25 loss at the hands of the No. 15 ranked and Ohio Valley Conference preseason favorite, Skyhawks.
 
With the bulk of the coaching staff, including head coach Myers Hendrickson, and roster making their Western Illinois debut, the Leathernecks took the best the Skyhawks had to offer for most of the game before UT Martin eventually pulled away in the second half.
 
Western Illinois took its opening drive into Skyhawk territory, but UT Martin was able to get a fourth-down stop at their own 43 and get the ball. On the ensuing Skyhawk drive, UT Martin went 57 yards on six plays, taking a 7-0 lead after a nine-yard touchdown pass and point-after try.
 
UT Martin kept its 7-0 lead but late in the first quarter, it was the Leathernecks' turn to make a big fourth down stop on defense. Facing fourth and fourth from the Western 28, Anthony Quinney (15 tackles) and Cole Watts (nine tackles) would team up for a tackle to get WIU back the ball.
 
The Leatherneck offense would take advantage, marching 73 yards on five plays, capping the drive on Henry Ogala's 31-yard touchdown pass to Jafar Armstrong. Mason Laramie's PAT would tie the game at 7-7, early in the second quarter.
 
The tie would not last though as on the next UT Martin drive, the Skyhawks would go down the field and score on a 34-yard pass.
 
The game remained 14-7 in favor of UT Martin until the final play of the half when quarterback Dresser Winn hit Colton Dowell on a 48-yard strike before intermission to make it a 21-7 game.
 
The Skyhawks would make it a three-score game in the third quarter with a touchdown before the Leathernecks would turn to Nick Davenport at quarterback and Naseim Brantley at receiver.
 
Davenport and Brantley, each making their Western debuts, hooked up for touchdowns of 51, 44 and 32 yards. Brantley finished with six catches and 171 yards, both team highs, while Davenport went 9-19 for 180 yards and had a team-high 62 yards rushing on eight attempts.
 
After the first Davenport-to-Brantley score, UT Martin would respond with another score to 35-13. Davenport and Brantley would strike again, making it 35-19 but the Skyhawks would again answer, making it 42-19. Davenport and Brantley would hook up again, capping the scoring at 42-25.
 
The Leathernecks would finish with 405 total yards, 120 on the ground and 285 through the air. UT Martin ended the night with 577 yards, 317 passing and 260 rushing. The Leathernecks forced one turnover, an interception by JJ Ross while committing a pair of turnovers themselves, both interceptions.
 
Western Illinois is next in action next Saturday, visiting Minnesota. The Leathernecks and Golden Gophers are schedule to meet at 11 a.m.
 
Notes
The third quarter interception by JJ Ross was his first as a Leatherneck. Ross suited up for Western Illinois in 2021 and finished the season with 35 tackles.
 
The touchdown pass by Ogala was his first as a Leatherneck. The scoring reception was the first as a Western Illinois receiver for Armstrong. Armstrong's 115 kickoff return yardage was also the most for a Leatherneck since Tony Tate had 114 against Youngstown State in 2021.
 
Making his Leatherneck debut Anthony Quinney finished with 15 tackles, setting a new personal record. His previous career high was 13 for Dodge City CC last fall. Quinney became the first Leatherneck with 15 or more tackles in a game since Darius Joiner had 23 against Youngstown State in 2021. Jalen McKie also had a big night, recording a personal-best 11 tackles.
 
Nick Davenport made his Western Illinois debut, checking in at quarterback in the third quarter. Davenport went 9-19 for 180 yards through the air while running for 62 yards. He added a second and third passing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
 
Naseim Brantley also had his first three touchdowns as a Leatherneck, hauling in a 51-yard score from Davenport in the third quarter, then a 44-yard pass in the fourth and a 32-yarder in the final seconds for good measure. Brantley's 171 yards receiving made him the first WIU receiver to have over 150 receiving yards since Dennis Houston had 175 against Eastern Washington last year. Brantley also became the first Leatherneck with at least three receiving touchdowns in a game since Jaelon Acklin had three against South Dakota in 2017 Washington.
 
Western Illinois had a field goal blocked for the first time since last year against Youngstown State.
 
 
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