TERRA HAUTE, Ind. (NEWS3) — The Western Illinois football team was unable to hold on to an early advantage, losing 20-10 at Indiana State on Saturday.
The Leathernecks (0-6, 0-2 Missouri Valley Football Conference) took the lead on the first play of the second quarter when Connor Sampson hit Jared Drake for a 23-yard touchdown reception to put WIU ahead 7-0.
Sampson finished 15-of-34 for 102 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Nathan Erickson tacked on a 39-yard field goal late in the second quarter to give Western Illinois the 10-0 lead at halftime.
The Sycamores (3-3, 1-1) came out strong in the second half. Kurtis Wilderman found Dakota Caton for a 3-yard touchdown reception to make the score 10-7 midway through the third quarter.
After an ISU field goal tied the game, Wilderman and Caton connected again in the fourth quarter for a 6-yard touchdown to put the Sycamores ahead 17-10.
Jerry Nunez added a 32-yard field goal to give Indiana State the 20-10 lead with 2:50 remaining.
WIU went 1-of-15 on third down conversion attempts.
The Leathernecks return home next Saturday as they host Illinois State University at 1 p.m. at Hanson Field.
