MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois football returns to Hanson Field on Saturday, Oct. 24, hosting UT Martin in a Homecoming matchup as Ohio Valley Conference play continues. The Leathernecks look to bounce back after a 40-30 road loss to Southeast Missouri State, while the Skyhawks enter the contest following a 17-6 victory over Gardner-Webb.
LAST TIME OUT
Western Illinois battled Southeast Missouri State throughout Saturday's contest, trading scores with the Redhawks before SEMO pulled away in the fourth quarter. The Leathernecks held a 17-16 halftime lead and regained the advantage in the third quarter behind a pair of rushing touchdowns from Kennedy McGill and a 29-yard fake field goal touchdown by Luke Droegemueller.
McGill finished the game with three rushing touchdowns, including a 33-yard score that put Western back in front, 23-22. Droegemueller's touchdown extended the Leatherneck advantage to 30-22, but SEMO answered with 18 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Despite the result, Western demonstrated its offensive versatility and ability to compete on the road against an OVC opponent. The Leathernecks will look to carry that momentum into their Homecoming matchup against UT Martin.
SCOUTING UT MARTIN
UT Martin enters Saturday's matchup at 3-4 overall and 2-0 in OVC play after earning a 17-6 victory over Gardner-Webb. The Skyhawks relied on a dominant defensive effort and a strong ground game to secure the win, limiting Gardner-Webb to 168 yards of total offense and just 20 rushing yards.
The Skyhawk defense also forced three interceptions and held the Runnin' Bulldogs to 0-for-12 on third-down conversions. UT Martin controlled the clock, possessing the ball for 41:01 while recording 218 rushing yards on 53 carries.
Freshman running back Jaydon Peete led the ground attack with 73 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Freshman quarterback Tate Surber added 61 rushing yards, including a 58-yard run that helped set up Peete's fourth-quarter touchdown. Surber also completed 10 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Wide receiver Makhia Sherrard caught two passes for 18 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown reception. Defensively, Zamaryion Farmer-McCray led the Skyhawks with six tackles, while Malik Brown recorded four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and three quarterback hurries.
The Skyhawks' defense will present a challenge for Western Illinois, which will look to establish its rushing attack and create opportunities against a unit that has excelled at limiting opponents' production.
Homecoming AT HANSON FIELD
Western Illinois returns home looking to defend its home field and get back into the win column as conference play continues. The Leathernecks will face a UT Martin team coming off a strong defensive performance, setting up a matchup in which establishing the run and winning the turnover battle could be critical.
With Homecoming bringing added excitement to Macomb, Western Illinois will look to deliver a strong performance in front of its home crowd.
KICKOFF INFORMATION
Western Illinois hosts UT Martin on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Hanson Field in Macomb, Ill. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. as the Leathernecks continue Ohio Valley Conference play.
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