TERRE HAUTE, Ind. ? The Indiana State Sycamores displayed a much improved defensive look against No. 22 nationally-ranked Western Illinois, but the Leathernecks are ranked in the Top 15 nationally in five defensive categories themselves and pitched a gem of their own in downing ISU 19-7 in front of 2,411 fans at Memorial Stadium.
Indiana State fell to 0-6, 0-2 GFC while WIU improved to 4-2, 1-0 GFC.
The only scoring in the first half came on a pair of field goals from Western Illinois kicker Taylor Rowan, who has notched a trio of Gateway Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week Awards earlier in the year.
Rowan connected on a 50-yard field goal with 14:55 left in the second quarter then followed that up with a 34-yard scoring effort at the 54 second mark to send the Leathernecks into the halftime break with a slim 6-0 margin.
Western Illinois controlled the ball in the first half, holding it for over 21 minutes of action. The Sycamores, who managed to gain five first downs, held the ball for just under eight and a half minutes.
Following a Sycamore punt on its first possession of the second half, Western Illinois started with the ball on the ISU 33-yard line. The Indiana State defense stood tall as Rowan missed a 34-yard field goal attempt to hold the margin to just 6-0 with 10:49 left in the third quarter.
The Indiana State offense showed signs of life in their next drive by advancing to the WIU 37-yard line before Corey Varnadore came on for a pooch punt which pinned the Leathernecks down to their own eight-yard line.
Western Illinois responded with a 15-play, 92-yard drive which was capped on a Herb Donaldson five-yard touchdown run for a 13-0 advantage with 1:40 showing on the third quarter clock.
Rowan also missed a 53-yard attempt early in the fourth quarter.
The never-say-die Sycamores came right back to get within a score on their next possession to make it 13-7. With 8:34 left in the game, Reilly Murphy found Brian Jackson for a three-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal, which Murphy escaped the grasp of at least one Leatherneck defender to find Jackson just over the goal line.
WIU tacked on its final score with three minutes remaining in the game to give the Leathernecks a 19-7 advantage. Barr's pass attempt on the two-point conversion fell incomplete following the score.
Indiana State went right back to work and drove deep into Western Illinois territory before it ended with a Murphy interception.
Leading the way for the Sycamores was the play of senior tailback Bryan McCulley who rushed eight times for 45 yards.
Quarterback Charles Dowdell was 4-for-9 passing for 46 yards while Reilly Murphy was 6-for-13 in tallying 101 yards and a TD pass. McCulley caught a trio of passes for 48 yards while Brian Jackson paced the squad with four catches for 71 yards a TD.
Defensively, Indiana State was paced by senior Shonda Faulkner, who recorded a career-best 19 total tackles. Senior Brandon Logan, who recently overcame a broken arm, also posted a career-high 19 tackles.
Donaldson carried the load for Western Illinois, posting 191 rushing yards on 34 carries and a score. WIU quarterback Matt Barr finished 7-of-16 passes for 86 yards.
The Indiana State Sycamores continue Gateway Football Conference play at Illinois State next Saturday, October 13. Kick-off is set for 2:30 p.m. (ET).
