Western Courier

Issue date: 10/9/09 Section: Sports

Redshirt freshman quarterback Wil Lunt (19) has gone 11-for-27 for 74 yards and two interceptions in his two appearances this fall. Brad Kutmas/courier staff

The Western Illinois football team (1-3, 0-1) heads to Youngstown State (3-2, 1-1) in Ohio this Saturday.

The Leathernecks have lost three-straight contests, including last weekend's 30-10 defeat to Southern Illinois at Hanson Field.

Junior quarterback Matt Barr was injured during the second quarter against the Salukis on the 'Necks' lone touchdown drive.

Barr's status for this Saturday's game remains uncertain.

"Matt Barr has a very sore and sprained left thumb," said head coach Mark Hendrickson. "We'll keep our fingers crossed. He's obviously going to travel, and we'll see what happens when we get there."

Redshirt freshman quarterback Wil Lunt replaced Barr in the second quarter for the remainder of the game.

Lunt struggled to find any kind of rhythm before entering the fourth quarter in his second appearance this season for the 'Necks.

He completed only one of seven passes by the end of the third quarter. Lunt finished the night going 7-for-19 for 50 yards and two interceptions.

"Wil certainly improved as the game went on," Hendrickson said. "I thought he did things very well for his really first game in his career. He did a very good job overall."

The defense gave up 330 yards and 27 points in the first half against the Salukis but came back in the second half allowing only 38 more yards and three points.

"I was very proud of the defense in the second half," Hendrickson said. "They responded pretty well after the initial play from the line of scrimmage to start the game (92-yard touchdown run by Deji Karim). The defense improved as the game went on."

The Youngstown State Penguins are also coming off a home loss last weekend. The Penguins were defeated 17-7 by conference foe Missouri State (3-2, 1-1).

Youngstown State outgained the Bears 398 yards to 352 but committed four turnovers.

Senior quarterback Brandon Summers threw three interceptions in the game, going 23-for-39 for 231 yards and one touchdown.

Summers has two weapons to go to on offense for the Penguins.

Junior receiver Dominique Barnes and senior receiver Donald Jones both gained over a hundred yards each against the Bears. Barnes was going for his fourth-straight game with a touchdown reception last weekend but came up empty-handed.

Continued...

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