Skip To Main Content

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

Matthew Henry
Sarah Ritter
21
Tennessee Tech TTU 2-5 , 2-2
37
Winner Western Ill. WIU 3-4 , 2-1
Tennessee Tech TTU
2-5 , 2-2
21
Final
37
Western Ill. WIU
3-4 , 2-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
TTU Tennessee Tech 7 7 0 7 21
WIU Western Ill. 10 21 3 3 37

Game Recap: Football | | WIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Leathernecks Score Impressive Win vs. Tennessee Tech

MACOMB, Illinois – In what may have been one of the best efforts in seasons, the Western Illinois University football team scored a convincing home victory on Saturday, topping Tennessee Tech 37-21 in Macomb.

The offense had 446 total yards, the defense forced three turnovers, had five sacks, and held the Golden Eagles offense in check most of the day improving the Leathernecks to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association.

Western Illinois' defense set the tone early, forcing a fumble on TTU's first possession that was recovered by Brian Bruce (three tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery) after being forced by Mayo Bola (one forced fumble, one sack).

With the short field, the Leathernecks went to work. Nathan Lamb (15-24, 260 yards, two touchdown passes) hit Matthew Henry (six catches, 181 yards, 1 TD) for a 27-yard score to put Western Illinois ahead 7-0.

"I trust our quarterback, I told him any time he spots me one-on-one, if he likes the matchup, get the ball near me and I'll get it," Henry said. "It's like a baby in the air, you don't want it to drop, so if he sees like, likes it, through it up and I'll go get it."

On the next TTU drive, the Leatherneck defense struck again as KJ Coleman (team-high seven tackles, one interception) stepped in front of a pass for an interception and returned the pick 30 yards.

"I think it was all 11 guys working as a team today," Coleman said. "We all had our spurts here and there, we would bend but not break. No matter what, they still have to get in the endzone and we didn't let them. It is one of the better games of all 11 guys coming together and fighting, no matter what."

The play set up an Antonio Chadha 29-yard field goal, giving the 'Necks a 10-0 lead at the 4:38 mark of the first quarter.

"The challenge we relayed to our defense was to make an impact play early, we saw how that helped vs. Charleston Southern," WIU head coach Joe Davis said. "I thought last week vs. UT Martin, we lacked early energy, we made up for it today. You could sense it in the locker room, players played with a chip on their shoulders, playing at home, defending their home turf. The two early turnovers, taking a quick 10-0 lead was monumental for us today."

After Tennessee Tech answered with a touchdown drive, Western Illinois came right back, taking a 17-7 lead on Lamb's second touchdown pass of the day. This time, the Leatherneck signal-called hit Cameren Smith (three catches, 17 yards, one touchdown; 24 carries, 85 yards, one touchdown) for a seven-yard score.

The Golden Eagles answered again to make it 17-14, but WIU again responded as Lamb ran in for a two-yard score to make it 24-14. On the next TTU possession, the Golden Eagles' 54-yard field goal attempt fell short and into the hands of Braylen Brooks. Brooks brought the ball out to the WIU 46. A Tennessee Tech personal foul added 15 yards and set the Leathernecks up with another short field, this time at the TTU 39.

Ten plays and 39 yards later, Smith found himself in the endzone again, this time via a rush, scoring on a three-yard carry to give Western Illinois a 31-14 lead at the half.

On the opening drive of the second half, Western Illinois added to the lead as Chadha hit his second field goal of the contest, this one a 30-yard boot making it 34-14.

Western Illinois' defense made yet another stop, forcing a three-and-out on the next TTU drive.

The game remained 34-14 into the final quarter before Tennessee Tech added a touchdown to make it 34-21. After a WIU punt, TTU had a chance to cut into the lead, but on fourth down, Jalen Riven (four tackles, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss) secured a sack, giving Western Illinois the ball and all but closing the door on the Golden Eagles.

Chadha (3-3 field goals, 4-4 extra points) capped the scoring with a 41-yard field goal. Jordan Anderson ended the game for good with an interception on the last TTU possession of the contest.

Western Illinois hits the road for its next two games. The Leathernecks are at Lindenwood next Saturday, then at Eastern Illinois in two weeks. Western Illinois returns home on November 9 to face Tennessee State.

NOTES: The five sacks were the most by the defense since a five-sack effort vs. Southern Illinois in 2021. Matthew Henry's 181 yards receiving were the most for a receiver since Dennis Houston had 237 vs. Ball State in 2021. The 31 first-half points were the most scored by WIU since putting up 31 in the first half vs. Lindenwood last season. Coleman's seven tackles led the defense. Ryan Crandall added six stops and Tyler Henry had five. The three turnovers forced were the most by the Leatherneck defense since forcing three at Youngstown State in 2022.
 
Print Friendly Version