Western Illinois wins 3rd straight opener - Chicago Tribune

August 30, 2012|SportsDirect Inc

Caulton Ray ran for two touchdowns as the Western Illinois Leathernecks held off a late charge from the Butler Bulldogs to win 23-15. It was their third straight home opener win.

Western Illinois pounded the Bulldogs on the ground for 240 yards, including 109 from Nikko Watson and 106 from Ray. The Leathernecks surpassed 200 yards rushing for the third straight game after ending last season with similar efforts in victories over North Dakota State and South Dakota State.

After settling for field goals on two of its first three possessions, Western Illinois broke through as Ray scored his first touchdown just three plays after Keith Enderlien intercepted a pass from Butler quarterback Matt Lancaster.

Pat Smith added his third field goal of the game before intermission and Ray added another short score on the first possession of the second half to extend the Leathernecks’ advantage to 23-0.

Lancaster rallied Butler with two second-half touchdown scores - one passing and one rushing - to trim the lead to 23-15, but time expired before the Bulldogs could run a fourth-down play from the Western Illinois 4-yard line.

Notes: The Leathernecks' 56 rushing attempts were their most since posting 63 against Indiana State last season. ... Watson's 100-yard performance was the fourth in his five-game college career.