Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Rachel Bujalski /Daily Vidette Senior Staff Leathernecks' running back Herb Donaldson plows through Redbirds' safety Jermaine Malcolm as he gained some of his 243 rushing yards on the day.

Illinois State football (3-7, 2-5 MVFC) fell to Western Illinois (6-4, 4-3 MVFC) in a 48-45 overtime thriller.

The Redbird offense showed up, racking up 45 points against a Western defense that only allows 23.7 points per game. The ISU defense didn't hold up their end as they allowed more than 40 points for the third straight game, including 28 points in the second quarter alone.

The two teams traded blows in the second quarter, combining for five touchdowns on the first five possessions.

"Heck of a ballgame," ISU head coach Denver Johnson said. "I sure have to tip my hat to the Leathernecks. They prevailed in what turned out to be one of the better football games that I've been associated with."

Redbird senior running back Walter Mendenhall echoed Johnson's statement.

"I can't explain it," he said. "That's kind of how it's been all year. A lot of games, we were close, we were in it and just couldn't pull it out at the end. This is a very frustrating loss. We just felt we gave that away."

"I don't think it's for a lack of effort," Johnson said. "I think we're playing hard…This has been a long and very disappointing - a very frustrating - season for us.

"I wasn't sure how much fight we had left in us. I thought we did but I wasn't certain of it. I really appreciate my team today. I thought we fought hard … There were some mistakes and some breakdowns but I don't think I'll look at the film and find guys not playing hard."

Leathernecks' running back Herb Donaldson rushed for 243 yards and three touchdowns as WIU totaled 449 yards of offense on the day.

Johnson was impressed with Donaldson's performance.

"I don't even know a receiver on their team's name," he said. "I know Herb Donaldson's name."

Donaldson rushed for 115 yards in the second quarter alone en route to this sixth career 200-yard day. According to Don Patterson, Leathernecks' head coach, Donaldson needs only 205 yards in next week's game to take over as the Missouri Valley Football Conference all-time leading rusher.

Continued...

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