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Leathernecks use running game, defense to get past Sycamores, 19-7

October 11, 2007 on 11:20 pm | In Athletics |

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Herb Donaldson rushed for 191 yards and one touchdown, while the Western Illinois defense limited Indiana State to just one score in the Leathernecks’ 19-7 victory to open the Gateway Football Conference season.

Place-kicker Taylor Rowan accounted for the only scoring in the first half, converting field goal attempts of 50 yards and 34 yards in the second quarter to give the Leathernecks (4-2, 1-0) a 6-0 lead at the half. Donaldson added a five-yard touchdown run with 1:40 left in the third to put the Leathernecks up 13-0 after their longest drive of the game (15 plays, 92 yards, 6:15), but the Sycamores (0-6, 0-2) retaliated with an eight-play drive that traveled 58 yards in 2:26 and was capped with a three-yard touchdown strike to Brian Jackson at the 8:34 mark in the fourth. Matt Barr capped the scoring for the Leathernecks with a nine-yard run with 2:52 to play.

The Leathernecks rushed for a total of 338 yards on 71 carries, while throwing for just 86 yards on 7-of-16 passing. The Sycamores were held to 264 yards of total offense, rushing 29 times for 117 yards and completing 10-of-22 passes for 147 yards.

Patrick Stoudamire ended the Sycamores’ final drive with just over two minutes remaining, deep in the Leatherneck territory.

POSTGAME NOTES:
Taylor Rowan converted a 50-yard field goal in the second quarter to put the Leathernecks up 3-0. He is the only kicker in the country with four field goals of 50 yards or longer this season.

Herb Donaldson collected his 11th career 100-yard game and his fourth of the season. He carried the ball a season-high 34 times.

Jason Williams tallied a team-high 10 tackles, including six solo stops.

The Leathernecks won the turnover battle for the fifth time this season, recovering one fumble and intercepting one pass.

POSTGAME QUOTES:
Western Illinois head coach Don Patterson:
“I would like to give Indiana State a lot of credit today. The one thing any coach can appreciate is when a team battles hard, never gives up, and fights to the end. Indiana State did just that today.”

“It was a very physical game. We were forced to run the ball and they did a good job of keeping us out of the end zone.”

Originaly from Source