Leathernecks offense rolls as Western Illinois tops Bearkats
9/18/2010 5:31:00 PM | Football
Four different Leathernecks scored rushing touchdowns and two more caught TD passes as WIU raised its season record to 2-1. The Bearkats are 0-2.
Western Illinois struck first on a one-yard dive into the end zone by Bryce Flowers to complete a nine-play, 89-yard drive with 3:21 to play in the first quarter.
Sam Houston forced the Leathernecks to punt on their next two possessions, but turned the ball over to WIU on a fumble at the Bearkat one-yard line on the first play after a punt. Dwight Harris recovered the fumble and Coulton Ray scored on the next play to go up 14-0 with 9:32 left in the second quarter.
Brandon Closner broke loose for a 53-yard kickoff return to the WIU 45 to set up the first touchdown of the season for the Bearkats. Transfer running back Tim Flanders rolled off runs of 12, five and 33 yards, the last dash around left end for the score. Miguel Antonio made cut the Leatherneck lead to 14-7 with 7:46 to play in the period.
The Leathernecks bounced right back as Barr ran a naked reverse 69 yards to up the score to 21-7 just 12 seconds later.
Sam Houston rallied again, driving 80 yards in four plays for another Flanders score, this time on a 31-yard dash. Western Illinois held a 21- 14 lead with 5:56 to go before intermission.
WIU completed the second quarter scoring spree with nine-yard scoring pass from Barr to Lito Senatus to complete an eight play, 82-yard drive and make the score at halftime 28-14.
The Leathernecks rolled up 21 more points in the third period. Barr hit Justin Morgan for a 13-yard pass, Todd Speight dashed 24 yards and Barr passed to Terriun Crump for 43 yards for the three scores to go up 49-14 at the end of the period.
A 50-yard interception return by Ryan Waldron set up Western Illinois' final touchdown.
Sam Houston will play its home opener Saturday, Sept. 25 against the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs at 6 p.m.
Bearkat Family Weekend will highlight the contest next Saturday with the "Hillcrest Ford Heroes" salute to Walker County area veterans and police and fire department emergency service personnel, an appearance by the Houston Texans Cheerleaders, military flyovers by U.S. Army helicopters, the SHSU band's "March from the Mall" to kickoff tailgate and a postgame fireworks show.
Tickets are on sale online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the Sam Houston athletic ticket office. The ticket office is located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
