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Leathernecks hit the road for Minnesota

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Western Illinois faces Golden Gophers on Saturday

Who | Western Illinois (0-1) at Minnesota (1-0)
 
When | Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, 11 a.m.
 
Where | Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis,  Minn.
 
Social media | Twitter + Facebook
 
Follow along | Audio + Stats + Stream + Big Ten Network
 
Previous matchup: The two teams have met only once, a 29-12 Minnesota win on Sept. 14, 2013. In that game, the Leathernecks scored first as a Trenton Norvell pass to Mason Howington put WIU up 6-0. Western Illinois held that 6-0 lead until a Golden Gopher touchdown gave Minnesota a 7-6 advantage at halftime. Norvell would put Western Illinois back in front in the third quarter, hitting Lance Lenoir for an 11-yard score but the Gophers took the lead for good at the end of the third quarter, 15-12. Minnesota added two touchdowns in the fourth to ice the game.
 
Last time out: Western Illinois opened the season at UT Martin last Thursday, falling 42-25. In that game, the Leathernecks and Skyhawks were tied 7-7 but two touchdowns before halftime gave UT Martin a 21-7 lead at the break. The Skyhawks added another score in the third to go up 28-7 before Nick Davenport connected with Naseim Brantley for a touchdown. The teams would alternate scores the rest of the way.
 
Big-time debut: Naseim Brantley had a breakout performance in his first game as a Leathernecks, catching six passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns. His game earned him Missouri Valley Football Conference newcomer of the week honors. Davenport also had an impressive debut, tossing all three scores to Brantley.
 
On the defense side, Anthony Quinney, also had a strong start in purple and gold, registering a career-high 15 tackles in his first game as a Leatherneck.
 
Scouting the opponent: Minnesota is coming off a 38-0 victory over New Mexico State. In that victory, the Golden Gophers led 7-0 after a quarter and 24-0 at halftime. Minnesota ran wild, rushing for 297 yards on 57 carries (5.2 yards per attempt) while also passing for 188 yards. For the game, the Golden Gophers outgained NMSU 485-91 while controlling time of possession (44:30-15:30).
 
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