MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois’ non-conference finale came with heavy rain, thunder, and a lengthy delay, and quarterback Kevin Johnson poured into the score with three touchdowns in his Leatherneck debut. It was a one-score game late in the fourth quarter, but Tennessee Tech claimed the decision 38-24.
The Leathernecks’ 24 points marked the most in five games dating back to the 2018 season.
“This team fights. We fought last weekend. We fought this weekend. We’re just not playing well enough and consistent right now,” said head coach Jared Elliott. “The fight or character in this team is not a concern of mine whatsoever.”
After a delay that lasted nearly 2.5 hours, the first quarter ended with TTU holding a touchdown’s lead and Western knocking on the door of its first score. Less than 10 seconds rolled off the clock as Nathan Erickson split the uprights on a 21-yard field goal; the kick stamped a 14-play, 71-yard drive, hyped by a pair of third-down conversions.
Time of possession favored the Leathernecks by nearly seven minutes, but Tech’s quick attack was of influence. Twenty-seven seconds ticked away on its first touchdown drive and just before halftime, the visitors pieced together another at 1:46 to enter the break leading, 14-3.
Just when it seemed the game was beginning to slip away, Western displayed flashes of its “relentless” mantra. Trailing by as many as 21 points, the Fighting Leathernecks pulled within a score, 31-24, at the 8:11-mark of the fourth quarter.
Western’s first touchdown occurred in the third quarter (4:24), where Johnson and redshirt-freshman Jack Whyte partnered for the first TD of their Leatherneck careers.
A four-year transfer from Richmond, the graduate quarterback found his 6’2″ tight end wide open in the end zone on a 21-yard hookup. Back-to-back touchdowns to George Wahee and Dennis Houston closed Western’s deficit to 31-24 with 8:11 left in the game.
Following a bye weekend, the Leathernecks (0-4) return to Hanson Field for the start of Missouri Valley Football Conference play. Missouri State visits Macomb Saturday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m.
- Quarterback Kevin Johnson made his first Leatherneck appearance to go 10-14-2 with 159 yards and three touchdowns
- Nathan Erickson continues to pace Western in scoring with 20 points; he added a 21-yard field goal and three extra points against TTU
- Marquis Smith has had at least three pass breakups in back-to-back games. Last weekend against Montana State, he forced and recovered a fumble, and versus TTU he recorded an interception.
