This Saturday Tennessee State heads to Macomb, Illinois to take on Western Illinois in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Tennessee State is coming off a heartbreaking 28-21 loss to UT Martin that was immensely deleterious to their potential Big South-OVC championship aspirations. Although they fell behind 21-0, Tennessee State was able to battle back to within a single score, turnovers and miscues proved to be the Tigers’ undoing. Quarterback Draylen Ellis uncharacteristically threw 3 costly interceptions and although he was able to guide the TSU offense to within 6 yards of a potential game-tying score in the closing moments, they were unable to reach paydirt.
The Leathernecks of Western Illinois are currently 3-6 overall and 2-3 within Big South- OVC competition. In their most recent outing, WIU was defeated 45-38 by Eastern Illinois in a back-and-forth affair that came down to the last play of the game. Nathan Lamb’s potentially game-tying pass was knocked away to preserve the EIU victory.
What we think will happen
Both Tennessee State and Western Illinois enter the matchup in need of a win. A win for Western Illinois would not only end a two-game skid but would still give the Leathernecks a chance to finish with a .500 record, which would be a commendable feat as just a season ago WIU went 0-11. A Tennessee State win for Tennessee State will not only lift them to 7 wins but surpass their win total from last season. A victory also keeps alive their outside chances at competing for the Big South-OVC crown at an at-large postseason bid.
It will be a morgue board for the Tennessee State offense. Western Illinois has the most offensive user-friendly defense in the OVC, allowing 43.8 points per contest. There will be opportunities abound for the TSU offense on the ground and through the air. The Tigers have not had a 100-yard rusher on the season but that could change, as the WIU defense gives up the most yardage in the conference against the rush at 256.8 yards per game. Draylen Ellis, Karate Brenson, and the Tennessee State passing attack face the fourth-worst pass defense in the Big South-OVC that surrenders 255. 1 yard per game and the second-most passing touchdowns with 21.
The Leathernecks’ turnstile-like defense will prove to be their undoing. WIU’s quest to end the season at .500 ends Saturday afternoon at the hands of Tennessee State.
Final Score: Tennessee State: 38 Western Illinois: 17
