FLORENCE, Ala. — Western Illinois football fell to North Alabama, 23-20, Saturday afternoon in its final nonconference game of the season. The Leathernecks held a 20-16 lead late in the fourth quarter, but North Alabama scored with 51 seconds remaining to take the lead before holding off a final WIU drive.
First Half
Western Illinois opened the scoring with a touchdown pass from
Kennedy McGill to
David Hargro, as the two connected for a nine-yard score. North Alabama answered with a punt return touchdown before taking a 13-7 lead on a two-yard touchdown run from Destin Wade.
The Leathernecks continued to find success through the air, with McGill connecting with Ihson Jackson-Anderson for a 62-yard completion. Jackson-Anderson also added a 23-yard rush during the first half. Defensively,
Christian Garrett intercepted Wade to give the Leathernecks possession, but WIU was unable to turn the takeaway into points. North Alabama took a 13-7 lead into halftime.
Second Half
Western Illinois regained the lead in the third quarter after putting together a 75-yard scoring drive. McGill found Hargro for a five-yard touchdown, giving the Leathernecks a 14-13 advantage. North Alabama responded with a 46-yard field goal, but WIU answered with a 31-yard field goal from
Ronan Culkin to take a 17-16 lead. Culkin added another field goal early in the fourth quarter, connecting from 37 yards to extend the Leathernecks' advantage to 20-16 with 1:57 remaining. The WIU defense then forced a turnover when
LeBron Morgan recovered a North Alabama fumble at the UNA 15-yard line. The Leathernecks were unable to capitalize, and North Alabama regained possession.
The Lions drove 75 yards on their next possession, with Wade scoring on a one-yard touchdown run with 51 seconds remaining to put North Alabama ahead, 23-20. Western Illinois had one final opportunity and moved the ball deep into North Alabama territory. McGill connected with
David Hargro for 11 yards before finding Ihson Jackson-Anderson for 26 yards to move the Leathernecks to the UNA 1-yard line.
North Alabama stopped the final WIU attempt with a sack as the Lions held on for the 23-20 victory.
Following the game, Head Coach
Joe Davis emphasized the importance of learning from the close finish as the Leathernecks enter the conference games of the season.
"Every detail matters. It comes down to attention to detail and accountability. from day to day and week to week. As I told the team, welcome to the rest of our season. This is going to be seven more weeks of one-score, tight ball games, and it's a big opportunity for us to respond appropriately."
Western Illinois returns home Saturday, Oct. 3, to open conference play against Tennessee State at Hanson Field.
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