Leathernecks unable to sustain momentum after strong start to second half

MACOMB, Ill. — After a scoreless first quarter, the Northern Iowa football team put things together, earning its first victory of the season, topping Western Illinois University 52-17 at Hanson Field on Saturday afternoon.

The loss drops the Leathernecks to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in Missouri Valley Football Conference.

The Leathernecks and Panthers went toe-to-toe in the first quarter with the defenses dominating. Western Illinois forced a Northern Iowa punt to end the first drive of the game, taking over at the WIU 14.

Quarterback Clay Bruno drove Western Illinois into UNI territory, but an interception in the end zone ended the drive.

Neither team could muster much offense until the start of the second quarter when the Panthers scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass.

The Leathernecks answered on their next drive, going 59 yards on nine plays. Mason Laramie capped the 3-minute, 32-second drive, hitting a 34-yard field goal. The game did not remain a one-score contest long as the Panthers tallied a touchdown and field goal on their next two drives to lead 17-3 at halftime.

Western Illinois got back in the game right out of the break, going 72 yards in four plays. The Leathernecks capped the drive with Jaylen Reed’s first touchdown of the season as he caught a 47-yard pass from Bruno to make it 17-10.

“We were right there,” WIU coach Myers Hendrickson said. “The defense did a great job at the beginning of the game. We had a chance to go up early. We threw a pick in the red zone, which is inexcusable, but if we get that touchdown and a few more balls, it changes the game.

“I felt great about our halftime. We had a great mindset. We got the ball the first possession and marched down and scored.”

But Northern Iowa scored three touchdowns in the third quarter, highlighted by a pair of pick-sixes from Woo Governor to take control.

“The second one was batted up,” Bruno said. “It’s one of those deals, but we have to keep fighting until the whistle blows. So that was unfortunate.”

Northern Iowa added two more scores in the fourth quarter before Naseim Brantley hauled in a 22-yard pass from Henry Ogala to end the scoring.

Bruno went 15-of-29 passing for 166 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. In one drive, Ogala went 2 of 2 for 29 yards and a score.

Reed led the way on the ground, getting seven carries for 36 yards. Reed added two catches for 52 yards, while Brantley had four catches for 51 yards and a score.

Defensively, T.J. Limehouse had a game-high 15 tackles, including 12 solo. Chase Graham added 10 tackles, with 1.5 tackles for loss, while Sam Cook had a career-high 10 tackles.

“I feel like they were not doing anything that special, nothing our coaches did not put us in position for today,” Limehouse said.