Western Illinois Holds Off Northern Illinois In 28-23 Upset
DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — Sean McGuire threw for 315 yards and a touchdown, the Western Illinois defense came up with two late stops, and the FCS Leathernecks upset Northern Illinois, 28-23, on Saturday.
Western Illinois (3-0) snapped a 15-game losing streak against FBS teams. The Leathernecks are 7-29 against FBS foes — with all their wins against the Mid-American Conference.
Northern Illinois quarterback Anthony Maddie was stopped short on fourth-and-2 at the Leathernecks' 19-yard line with 2:50 left. On the Huskies next drive, Maddie's pass attempt on fourth-and-3 at the Leathernecks' 9-yard line was deflected and fell incomplete to preserve the win.
Steve McShane's 11-yard touchdown run put the Leathernecks on top, and Jamie Gilmore's 1-yard plunge made it 14-0 with a minute remaining in the first quarter.
Maddie and Ryan Graham combined to pass for 251 yards and two scores for Northern Illinois (0-4), which has lost seven straight dating to last season.
It was the first meeting between the two schools since 2009.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.