MACOMB, Ill. -- Western Illinois Football lost a hard-fought battle on the road at #12 Southeast Missouri by a score of 54-45. The Leathernecks held an early lead in the first quarter 14-10, but SEMO cashed in on penalties and Leatherneck errors late in the game to pull out the win. 

SEMO got on the board first with a touchdown midway through the first quarter, but WIU responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Nathan Lamb to Brandon Lanier. The Leathernecks held the Redhawks to a field goal on the next drive, and then Lamb's pass to Cameren Smith in the following series led to an 81-yard touchdown reception to go up 14-10.

In the second quarter, SEMO started things off with a touchdown, going up 17-14. WIU immediately responded with a 29-yard reception by Demari Davis from quarterback Tanner Zolnosky to go up 21-17. Antonio Chadha made a 46-yard field goal to put WIU up 24-17. SEMO responded with two touchdowns to take the lead back at 31-24. Chadha made a 5-yard field goal to end the first half and bring the Leathernecks within four, 31-27. 

Following the half, SEMO scored a touchdown and a field goal to go up 41-27. The Leathernecks responded with an 81-yard reception from Lamb to Matt Henry, but Chadha's extra point attempt was blocked, making it 41-33. WIU held SEMO to a field goal on the following drive, trailing 44-33 heading into the fourth quarter. 

Smith scored to start the fourth quarter, pulling the Leathernecks back within five. However, the attempted two-point conversion failed, leaving the Leathernecks down 44-39. SEMO responded with another touchdown and another field goal, extending their lead to 54-39. The Leathernecks marched back down the field and Torrance Farmer Jr. found the endzone to pull WIU back within two scores, 54-45. The 'Necks attempted another two-point conversion on a pass from Lamb to Lanier, which was caught but out of bounds, keeping the score at 54-45.

The Leathernecks accounted for 593 total yards of offense, highlighted by 449 yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Nathan Lamb'. WIU receivers had a combined 500 yards through the air on Saturday afternoon, with Matt Henry, leading with 183 yards and one touchdown. The defense had four tackles for loss and one fumble recovery by Demari Davis. 

WIU returns home to Hanson Field for the final game of the 2024 season on Saturday, November 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. 

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