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Donaldson, Defense Give Leathernecks a 27-14 Win at Illinois State

November 11, 2007 on 9:57 pm | In Athletics |

MACOMB, Ill. - Herb Donaldson rushed 38 times for 241 yards and two touchdowns, providing the game’s first and last scores, in #24 Western Illinois’ 27-14 win at Illinois State.

Donaldson broke away for a 55-yard touchdown on the Leathernecks’ first play from scrimmage, giving Western a quick 7-0 lead, but it was the defense that kept the Leathernecks (6-3, 3-1) in the lead, holding the Redbirds (4-5, 2-3) to 118 yards and forcing six punts in the first half, which ended with a 7-0 score. Donaldson, on his way to his second 200-yard game in three weeks, rushed for 134 yards before the break.

“The linemen got on their guys and the fullback got on his guy,” said Donaldson of his opening touchdown. “The field just opened up and I ran.”

After the first drive of the second half stalled near midfield, Leatherneck punter Chris Fuchs landed a punt inside the five-yard line, providing Western Illinois with good field position the rest of the quarter. Taylor Rowan kicked a 53-yard field goal on the Leathernecks’ next possession, and after another defensive stop, the Leathernecks went up 17-0 at the 3:51 mark on a career-long 52-yard touchdown pass from Matt Barr to Carl Sims. Rowan added a 48-yarder into a stiff wind on the next drive, giving the Leathernecks a 20-0 lead early in the fourth quarter.

“It was fun to finally throw down-field,” said Barr, “and have Carl make a great play. It was a struggle going into the wind, so we were fortunate to have good timing as far as throwing with the wind on that play.”

The Redbirds fought back, however, with touchdown passes on back-to-back possessions, pulling with six, 20-14, with 3:12 to play.

A loose ball on the ensuing on-sides kick was up picked up by the Leathernecks’ Nick Coleman at midfield. Donaldson then rushed three times for 12 yards, forcing Illinois State to take a time out to stop the clock, then gave the Leathernecks an insurance touchdown by breaking away for 38 yards and outrunning the Redbirds’ backfield.

The Leatherneck defense twice intercepted Luke Drone, who completed 24 of his 40 passes for 270 yards. Travis Cherry and Kevin Almlie both picked off tipped passes. Jason Williams led the team with 10 tackles, including two for loss, and forced his nation-leading fifth fumble of the season, while the Leathernecks held Illinois State to just 64 yards on the ground.

“On defense, we were like animals shutting down the run,” said Almlie. “When the entire defense plays like that it helps our job in the secondary. Everyone played together today.”

Originaly from Source