West Central Reporter

The Western Illinois University football team secured their first win of the Joe Davis era and the 2024 season, defeating McKendree 49-32 on Saturday night at Hanson Field.

"It's our first win, we set out every single week with a winning mindset, with a victory attitude and our goal is to go 1-0 every week so this week, it happened to be the McKendree game," said WIU football coach Joe Davis. "I'm proud of our players, I'm proud of our staff, I told the team, 'celebrate this for 24 hours because it is well earned, but we're turning the page quickly as we go into OVC play.'"

Western Illinois concluded their non-conference schedule with a record of 1-3. They will begin their Big South-Ohio Valley Conference play next weekend at Charleston Southern.

Cameren Smith led the offense with a career-high performance, rushing for 199 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. The Leathernecks amassed a total of 273 rushing yards on 38 attempts.

"Each week, we kept coming back despite losing, we kept our chemistry, we all had our work to do each week," Cameren Smith stated. "Getting this dub, we kept going and will keep going, regardless of what's happening. We stay together; this win means everything."

Defensively, WIU allowed 402 yards but managed to hold McKendree to field goals instead of touchdowns when they reached deep Leatherneck territory.

"We came out calm and composed; the sideline was different; it was not the same as previous years," said defensive lineman Brian Bruce. "Guys would turn on each other... but everyone had their head on the right way."

Nathan Lamb contributed significantly by completing 14 out of 19 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown while also running for another score. He connected with Demari Davis for a notable 74-yard touchdown pass.

"The first one... I saw I was open; Nate gave me a great ball," Demari Davis commented regarding his touchdown reception. "The second one... that was a reverse... I did not have to make too many moves."

Freshman Avery Knight added another score early in the second half with a run that extended WIU's lead further. Backup quarterback Chris Irvin also contributed with a touchdown pass to Eli Aragon.

Despite McKendree's efforts to close the gap in the second half, Cameren Smith sealed the game with two additional touchdown runs.

Ryan Crandall led WIU defensively with a team-high 14 tackles including tackles for loss. Michael Newman recorded nine tackles along with a sack. Tre Henry and KJ Coleman each added six tackles while Juan De La Cruz made five stops in his season debut.

Smith's performance marked the highest rushing yardage since Steve McShane’s achievement in 2016. The team's offensive output was its highest since scoring against Eastern Washington in September 2021. This victory also ended Western Illinois' winless streak dating back to October 30, 2021.