NORMAL, IL – The Western Illinois University football team put together its best effort in the season, going on the road and hanging around with nationally-ranked Illinois State for four quarters.

The Leathernecks (0-3) gave the Redbirds all they could handle, but unfortunately fell short, falling to No. 18/19 Illinois State, 51-34 on Saturday afternoon in Normal. Western Illinois now heads into its bye week before playing the home opener on September 28 vs. McKendree.

"Before you learn how to win, you have to learn how to compete, we saw with Illinois State for the most part, we were competing well in all three facets for all four quarters of the game," Western Illinois football coach Joe Davis said. "We had points in that game where we were very competitive in all three phases but not consistently enough to win that game. We're looking for that consistent competition for four quarters is a step we need to take as a program."

Western Illinois had a big day from several players as quarterback Nathan Lamb opened the game completing his first 10 passes. Lamb went 24-33 passing for 269 yards and a touchdown. Lamb also hurt ISU with his legs, rushing for three touchdowns and 59 yards on 15 carries. Lamb hooked up with a variety of targets, completing passes to nine different receivers. Matthew Henry was the biggest beneficiary, catching seven passes for 124 yards, both team highs.

Eli Aragon, Brandon Lanier, and Christian Anaya each had five receptions. Aragon had 71 yards while Anaya had 28 and Lanier 27.

Illinois State had a big start, jumping ahead 14-0 early, but Western Illinois refused to go away.

Lamb rushed for his first touchdown of the day, a six-yard jaunt to put the Leathernecks on the scoreboard. Lamb then helped tie the game, hitting Christian Anaya on a three-yard scoring strike.

The Redbirds retook the lead, but another Lamb rushing touchdown tied the game 21-21 with 5:25 to go in the first half.

Illinois State was able to go ahead going into halftime, 24-21 hitting a field goal.

In the second half, WIU lined up for a potential game-tying field goal, but the Redbirds made the biggest play of the game, blocking the kick, and then returning it 58 yards for a score and a 31-21 lead.

Western Illinois again refused to quit, going 79 yards and cutting the deficit to 31-28 on a Lamb touchdown run.

That was as close as WIU would get, unfortunately, as Illinois State scored three straight touchdowns to go up 51-28.

The Leathernecks did get one more score, however. Chris Irvin recorded his first touchdown pass as a Leatherneck, hitting Eli Aragon with two seconds left, capping the score.

Defensively, Michael Newman led the Leathernecks, finishing with a career-high 14 tackles. Tre Henry added seven tackles while Jordan Anderson added six.

On the ground, Cameren Smith led the way, rushing 20 times for 77 yards. As a squad, the Leathernecks carried the ball 51 times for 186 yards. The yards are the most the team has run for since rushing for 238 vs. the Redbirds in the 2022 season finale.

Notes ­– Nathan Lamb's 10-straight completions to open the game tie a program record. Steve LaFalce completed 10-straight to open the game against Northern Colorado in 2005 … Lamb's six-yard rushing touchdown was the first for WIU since Ludovick Choquette's one-yard scoring jaunt at Southern Utah on September 23, 2023 … Matt Henry's 100-yard receiving first half was the first for Western Illinois since Jaylin Jackson had over 100 in the first half vs. Lindenwood on Sept. 16, 2023 … Lamb's three rushing touchdowns in one game are the first for the program since Nikko Watson rushed for three TDs vs Indiana State in 2015 … Western Illinois' +17:08 time of possession advantage was the most for the team since a +21:47 vs. Missouri State in 2018 … As a squad, the Leathernecks carried the ball 51 times for 186 yards. The yards are the most the team has run for since rushing for 238 vs. the Redbirds in the 2022 season finale … As a team, WIU compiled 503 yards of total offense. It is the first time the squad had more than 500 yards of offense since gaining 643 vs. Eastern Washington in 2021.

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