MACOMB,
IL (10-19-2002) — Indiana State
played well in the first quarter against Western Illinois, but 28 Leatherneck
points in the second quarter broke open the game for WIU en route to a 52-21
victory. The loss moves ISU’s record to 3-5, 1-2 in the Gateway while Western
Illinois is now 6-1, 3-1 in the Gateway.
After falling behind 10-0 early in the game, Indiana State struck its first score with 5:49 left in the period with a 25-yard pass from Julian Reese to Ryan King that capped a five-play, 65-yard drive.
Western Illinois went on to score on a touchdown pass and a blocked punt to take the 24-7 lead with 11:17 left in the first half. Jake Shields broke out on a 54-yard touchdown scamper with 9:35 left in the second stanza to pull with 11 at 24-13 after the extra point failed.
WIU went on to add two more touchdowns before the half to take a 38-13 lead heading into the locker room for halftime.
Indiana State scored the only points of the third quarter as they recorded a safety to pull within 38-15.
With 12:03 left in the game, the Sycamores struck again with a 30-yard pass from Reese to Tommy Signars to get ISU within 17, at 38-21.
The Leathernecks closed the deal with a three-yard touchdown run with 4:38 left in the game and a Lee Russell 28-yard interception return for a touchdown on the next play to give WIU the final victory margin of 52-21.
Reese was 13-29 in the contest for 114 yards and two touchdowns, while Shields was the leading ground gainer with 84 yards and one touchdown. Signars grabbed two passes for 34 yards and a touchdown in the game.
The Sycamores travel to Western Kentucky for a 4:30 p.m. showdown next Saturday in Bowling Green.