Western Courier

Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: Sports

Redshirt freshman quarterback Wil Lunt has completed 28-of-59 passes for 288 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions this fall. Hank Moreno/photo editor

Western Illinois (1-5, 0-3) travels to Terre Haute, Ind. to compete against Indiana State (0-7, 0-4) this Saturday.

Indiana State is currently riding a 33-game losing-streak, which dates back to the 2006 season.

Western is coming off a disappointing 17-16 loss to Missouri State for Homecoming weekend last Saturday. The 'Necks blew a 16-7 lead late in the game.

Miscues haunted Western, committing 11 penalties against the Bears' five flags.

One penalty cost the 'Necks a late touchdown that would have sealed the game.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Wil Lunt connected with sophomore receiver Terrium Crump for a 42-yard touchdown play but was called back due to an ineligible receiver downfield call with 2:38 left in the contest.

The Bears drove downfield on the following drive to set up a game-winning field goal with 36 seconds left.

"We've got to correct the silly mistakes," said head coach Mark Hendrickson. "The silly penalties have got to be eliminated because obviously those did help determine the outcome this past Saturday."

Lunt showed improvement in his last outing, completing 8-of-13 passes for 105 yards. His previous starts before facing Missouri State saw completion percentages below 50 percent. Against the Bears, Lunt completed 61 percent of his throws.

"Lunt throws the ball well," Hendrickson said. "We'll continue to let Wil throw more and more in every ball game including this weekend. He's a very effective passer. He's very accurate. Right now, we're probably to the point where we've got to throw the ball a little bit more and help Dre (Gibbs) out and that'll be the plan for this Saturday."

Senior running back Dre Gibbs carried a large load last weekend, with 39 carries for 170 yards and one touchdown. Gibbs was the only tailback to carry the ball for the 'Necks against the Bears.

"He's a tough, physical running back," Hendrickson said. "We're not going to say that he has breakaway speed. He does not have that, but he's very physical. He does a good job of getting all of his yards, that's for sure."

The Sycamores are coming off its best performance of the season. Indiana State put up a season-high of 21 points at Illinois State but fell to the Redbirds 38-21.

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Roberts led the offense in his third start of the season. Roberts scored two rushing touchdowns from 17 yards out and six yards away. He later connected a 39-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.

"He brings a dual dimension, if not more than that to the quarterback spot," Hendrickson said. "You've got to keep him contained. You've got to make sure you have every defensive player in the proper fit and their gaps when he drops back. You've got to cover all of the rush lanes or he'll take advantage of it."

Kickoff is slated to begin at 2:05 p.m central time inside Memorial Stadium, as Indiana State hosts Homecoming weekend.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools