Bears can’t hold halftime lead in loss at #14 WIU

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A 99-minute weather delay late in the fourth quarter seemed to halt Missouri State’s late-game momentum in an eventual 49-30 road loss to No. 14 Western Illinois here Saturday.

The Bears (1-5, 0-3 MVFC) had forced the Leathernecks (5-1, 2-1 MVFC) into a punt after the visitors closed what was a 35-24 deficit to 35-30. But lightning in the Hanson Field area caused came officials to clear the stadium and send the teams back to their respective locker rooms.

Western came out of the delay with unmatched intensity, forcing Missouri State into a three-and-out on its first three plays. After the Bears’ fake punt on the next snap was snuffed out, WIU took over on downs at the Bears’ 41. Two plays later, Steve McShane took it to the house
For a 39-yard touchdown run.

McShane finished with 23 carries for 143 yards to lead all ball carriers.

MSU turned the ball over on downs again with time winding down, and the Leathernecks tacked on a late touchdown with 80 seconds to play to extend their final margin.

On their final drive of the night, Missouri State drove all the way to the WIU five-yard line before the clock expired. On the drive senior Malik Earl broke MSU’s single-game reception record with his 14th catch of the night and finished with 145 yards – his fourth 100-yard game of his career.

After Missouri State led 21-13 at the intermission, Western Illinois came out with a flurry of punches to start the second half, marching 75 yards in just 62 seconds to tie the game. A 43-yard TD pass from Sean McGuire to Isaiah LeSure made it 21-19 before the tandem hooked up again on the two-point conversion to knot the score at 21.

The Bears counter-punched later in the third on a big hit and fumble recovery from sophomore cornerback Darius Joseph to give MSU the ball at the Western Illinois 25. Missouri State couldn’t gain any traction after the turnover, but did put three points on the board when Zach Drake converted a 44-yard field goal and give the lead back to the Bears, 24-21, at the 5:37 mark.

Two plays later, Jaelon Acklin carried 61 yards for the go-ahead score for the Leathernecks, dashing down the WIU sideline to give the Leathernecks a 28-24 advantage.

Acklin, who had 6 receptions for 86 yards, stabbed the Bears again early in the fourth quarter. First on a key third-down catch from McGuire to sustain the drive, then on a 26-yard sliding catch in the end zone to cap an 80-yard scoring series for the Leathernecks, his eighth receiving touchdown of the campaign.

With 8:25 left in the game, Missouri State manufactured its final scoring drive of the afternoon, getting a key fourth-down completion from Peyton Huslig to Erik Furmanek to extend the drive. Later, Earl snagged a key third-down pass to the WIU 8-yard line – his 12th reception of the game. On the next play, Nick Masoner bowled his way into the end zone to make it a 35-30 game. The Bears’ two-point conversion fell just short when Huslig was tripped up about a foot shy of the goal line.

But after MSU forced WIU into a punt on the ensuing series, the lightning delay came and ultimately recharged the homestanding Leathernecks.

In the first half, the Bears converted 6 of 8 third down chances in the first half to build a 21-13 lead at the midway point.

Missouri State took the opening drive of the game right into the teeth of the WIU defense, covering 93 yards in just seven plays with the strength of a 38-yard scamper into the end zone by Calan Crowder to make it 7-0 just three minutes into the game.

The home club retaliated with a 10-play scoring drive of its won the Leathernecks first offensive series. A McGuire 21-yard pass to Adam Conrady knotted the score, 7-7.

Missouri State got into the red zone again on its second drive of the afternoon, taking the ball to the WIU 8-yard line before Crowder was stuffed on a fourth-and-one play. However, the Bears’ defense rose to the occasion on WIU’s ensuing drive, forcing the Leathernecks into a punting situation five plays later. But, Adam Fellner’s kick was blocked by MSU’s Rickey Nichols who picked up the loose ball and scampered 10 yards to pay dirt.

The Bears extended their lead to 21-7 early in the second quarter. Earl answered the bell on a key 33-yard reception from Huslig on third-and-eight to the WIU 38. Two plays later, MSU brought Earl off the left edge on an end-around play for a 30-yard score. The touchdown carry capped an 83-yard drive that took nine plays and ate more than four minutes.

Late in the second quarter, Western converted a timely fourth-and-one from the Missouri State 29 that turned the momentum briefly. A 29-yard carry by Max Norris to the end zone on fourth down made it a 21-13 game at the 4:56 mark after the extra point attempt nicked off the left upright.

After WIU picked off Huslig at its own 35 with 1:03 to go in the second quarter, Missouri State’s defense rose up again, collecting sacks by Colby Isbell and Collin Bess to force the Leathernecks into another punt. Matt Rush returned the punt 31 yards to the WIU 25, but Zach Drake‘s 42-yard field goal try as time expired missed to the right.

Huslig finished the night 20-of-34 for 194 yards and an interception.

WIU’s McGuire was 18-for-25 for 249 yards and three touchdowns.

After nearly a month on the road, the Bears return home next Saturday to take on South Dakota State at Robert W. Plaster Stadium at 2 p.m.

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