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Western Illinois University Athletics

George Hartmann
43
Winner Lindenwood Lin 2-1 , 0-1
40
Western Ill. WIU 0-3 , 0-1
Winner
Lindenwood Lin
2-1 , 0-1
43
Final
40
Western Ill. WIU
0-3 , 0-1
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
Lin Lindenwood 7 7 14 15 43
WIU Western Ill. 17 14 0 9 40

Game Recap: Football | | WIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Late Lindenwood Score Costs Leathernecks

Morrissey throws for 392 yards in loss

MACOMB – A quick start and a strong performance from the Leatherneck offense was not enough as Western Illinois fell to 0-3 this year with a 43-40 loss to Lindenwood on Saturday in a game that was delayed close to 90 minutes due to lightning.

"The biggest positive is our players love each other, it means so much for them," coach Myers Hendrickson said. "The preparation and focus is there, it's why we jumped out to the leads we have, last week and this week. We came ready to play, we handled the adversity of the lightning delay early.

"Our leaders did a great job, we did some really good things offensively, the way we played was exceptionally well, so it's disappointing to not the results we wanted."

Western Illinois had a quick start as Matt Morrissey connected with Jaylin Jackson for a 75-yard touchdown :42 into the game to grab a 7-0 lead. The Leathernecks tacked on another score on their next drive as Morrissey hit Tajh Sanders for a 37-yard score to go up 14-0.

Morrissey had a big night for the Leathernecks, going 26-42 for 393 yards and three touchdowns. Jay Parker led the receivers with 10 catches for 145 and a touchdown. Jaylin Jackson added seven catches for 127.

Lindenwood answered to make it a 14-7 game but Owen Valek's 38-yard field goal again a two-score game, 17-7. The Leathernecks were able to add on as Ludovick Choquette's 12-yard run made it 24-7 Leathernecks with 14:48 left in the second half.

After a Lindenwood touchdown, Morrissey was able to strike again, this time using his legs, rushing for a three-yard run to give the Leathernecks a 31-14 lead at the break.

The second half would belong to Lindenwood as two straight Lion touchdowns made it 31-28, Western Illinois. Valek made it a six-point game, adding a 22-yard field goal with 11:47 to go in the contest.

Lindenwood took its first lead :45 later on a 72-yard scoring strike. But Western Illinois retook the lead as Parker hauled in a 20-yard pass from Morrissey, making it 40-35 with 5:09 to go.

But the Lions answered again to take a 43-40 lead with 1:13 to go.

"We need to finish the game, we're playing good football, our quarterback is taking care of the football, he's playing really good football, we're moving the ball, we didn't have a turnover, we didn't have a punt, so there's positives to build on," Hendrickson said. "We had a huge takeaway, JJ Ross, a captain, had an incredible interception, so we're really close, we need to finish, we need to rally around each other. They believe in each other, they love they each other and we're going to keep battling together."

The Leathernecks are in action next Saturday, hitting the road to take on Southern Utah at 7 p.m.
 
NOTES: Morrissey's 392 yards passing was the most by a Western Illinois quarterback since Connor Sampson threw for 449 yards against Indiana State in 2021 … Parker and Jackson became the first WIU receiving duo to go for over 100 yards in a game since Dallas Daniels and Tony Tate against Indiana State in 2021 … Parker's 10 catches were the most receptions for a WIU receiver since Denis Houston had 14 catches against South Dakota State in 2021 ... Juan DelaCruz led the defense with eight tackles … JJ Ross had his first interception of the season and third of his career.
 
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