Illinois State Redbirds 34–18 Western Illinois Leathernecks: Final Score & Recap | Week 2, 2023

Quick answer

Illinois State Redbirds defeated Western Illinois Leathernecks 34–18 in Week 2, 2023. Final score: Illinois State Redbirds 34, Western Illinois Leathernecks 18.

Game summary

Illinois State Redbirds rolled past Western Illinois Leathernecks 34–18 in Week 2 of the 2023 season.

Scoring: 7 touchdowns, 2 field goals across 9 plays.
Passing leader: Zack Annexstad (Illinois State) — 127.0 pass yds, 1 TD, +0.35 EPA/play.
Rushing leader: Mason Blakemore — 116.0 yds, 3 TD.
Receiving leader: Donald McKinney — 6 rec, 58.0 yds.
EPA edge: Illinois State (+0.258/play) vs Western Illinois (-0.105/play).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Illinois State Redbirds	0	12	6	12	34
Western Illinois Leathernecks	0	9	0	9	18

Scoring Map

Each pin marks a score on the field — TDs in the end zone, field goals near the kick line.

ILSTIllinois State Redbirds

+3OPP 20

WIUWestern Illinois Leathernecks

FantasyHQ CFB Analytics

Scoring timeline

9 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

Western Illinois
Q2TD
TSTaj Sanders
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
0-6
Matt Morrissey pass to Taj Sanders for a touchdown (8 yards)
Western Illinois
Q2FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 3
Score
0-9
Field goal good from 20 yards
Illinois State
Q2TD
MBMason Blakemore
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
6-9
Mason Blakemore rushes 42 yards for a touchdown
Illinois State
Q2TD
CGCam Grandy
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
12-9
Zack Annexstad pass to Cam Grandy for a touchdown (12 yards)
Illinois State
Q3TD
CMCole Mueller
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
18-9
Cole Mueller rushes 6 yards for a touchdown
Western Illinois
Q4TD
MMMatt Morrissey
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
18-15
Matt Morrissey rushes 2 yards for a touchdown
Western Illinois
Q4FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 20
Score
18-18
Field goal good from 37 yards
Illinois State
Q4TD
MBMason Blakemore
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
24-18
Mason Blakemore rushes 51 yards for a touchdown
Illinois State
Q4TD
MBMason Blakemore
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
30-18
Mason Blakemore rushes 6 yards for a touchdown

Stars of the game

Top passers, rushers, and receivers from cfbfastR play-by-play.

Passing

Zack Annexstad (Illinois State) — 127.0 yds · 1 TD · +0.35 EPA/play +5.66 EPA
Matt Morrissey (Western Illinois) — 105.0 yds · 1 TD · +0.14 EPA/play +2.46 EPA
incomplete (Western Illinois) — 9.0 yds · +0.02 EPA/play +0.13 EPA

Rushing

Mason Blakemore (Illinois State) — 116.0 yds · 3 TD +1.26 EPA
Matt Morrissey (Western Illinois) — 27.0 yds · 1 TD -0.19 EPA
Cole Mueller (Illinois State) — 22.0 yds · 1 TD -0.82 EPA

Receiving

Donald McKinney (Western Illinois) — 6 rec · 58.0 yds +1.07 EPA
Cam Grandy (Illinois State) — 4 rec · 42.0 yds +0.48 EPA
AJ Coons (Western Illinois) — 2 rec · 50.0 yds -0.32 EPA

Quarterback report card

Attempts, efficiency, and EPA.

Player	Team	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	EPA/play	Total EPA
Zack Annexstad	Illinois State	16	75.0%	127	1	+0.35	+5.66
Matt Morrissey	Western Illinois	17	76.5%	105	1	+0.14	+2.46
incomplete	Western Illinois	6	0.0%	9	0	+0.02	+0.13
incomplete	Illinois State	4	0.0%	0	0	-0.58	-2.33

Team EPA comparison

Stat	Illinois State	Western Illinois
Plays	38	42
EPA / play	+0.258	-0.105
Total EPA	+9.79	-4.43
Success rate	47.4%	31.0%
Pass EPA / play	+0.167	+0.041
Rush EPA / play	+0.359	-0.301
Yards	303	155

Drive chart

Key possessions and results.

Qtr	Offense	Plays	Yards	EPA	Result
Q1	Illinois State	4	34	-0.96	Ended
Q1	Western Illinois	3	-3	-3.27	Ended
Q1	Illinois State	3	5	-2.85	Ended
Q1	Western Illinois	9	29	-1.23	Ended
Q1	Illinois State	6	43	+1.84	Ended
Q1	Western Illinois	3	7	-2.42	Ended
Q1	Illinois State	3	7	-1.26	Ended
Q1	Western Illinois	2	8	-0.25	Ended
Q1	Illinois State	1	-2	-5.52	Fumble
Q2	Western Illinois	1	-4	0.00	Ended
Q2	Illinois State	4	15	0.00	Ended
Q2	Western Illinois	10	73	0.00	Ended
Q2	Illinois State	6	31	0.00	Ended
Q2	Western Illinois	1	4	0.00	Ended
Q2	Illinois State	4	25	0.00	Ended
Q2	Western Illinois	7	30	+3.26	Pass TD

Biggest EPA swings

Q1 · Illinois State Redbirds · Fumble (-5.51 EPA)
Q2 · Illinois State Redbirds · Mason Blakemore rushes 42 yards for a touchdown (+4.59 EPA)
Q2 · Illinois State Redbirds · Zack Annexstad pass to Cam Grandy for a touchdown (12 yards) (+4.47 EPA)
Q4 · Western Illinois Leathernecks · Matt Morrissey sacked for a loss of 9 yards (4th & 13) (-4.34 EPA)
Q4 · Illinois State Redbirds · Mason Blakemore rushes 51 yards for a touchdown (+4.24 EPA)
Q2 · Illinois State Redbirds · Punt (-4.0 EPA)
Q3 · Western Illinois Leathernecks · Punt for 9 yards (-3.87 EPA)
Q1 · Illinois State Redbirds · Kickoff (+3.24 EPA)

Key takeaways

Illinois State Redbirds controlled the final (34–18) in Week 2.
Passing edge: Zack Annexstad (Illinois State) — 127.0 yds, 1 TD.
EPA edge: Illinois State at 0.258 EPA/play.
Full EPA, scoring map, and play-by-play live in CFB Analytics Box & Scores.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of Illinois State Redbirds vs Western Illinois Leathernecks?

Illinois State Redbirds 34, Western Illinois Leathernecks 18 in Week 2 of the 2023 college football season.

Who won Illinois State Redbirds vs Western Illinois Leathernecks?

Illinois State Redbirds won with a final score of 34–18.

Where can I find the Illinois State Redbirds vs Western Illinois Leathernecks box score?

See EPA, scoring timeline, and full play-by-play on FantasyHQ CFB Analytics: /cfb-analytics?game=401540100.

Who led Illinois State Redbirds vs Western Illinois Leathernecks in passing?

Zack Annexstad (Illinois State) led passers with 127.0 yards and 1 touchdowns.

Full analytics box score

Explore every snap, drive chart, and the interactive scoring map for Illinois State Redbirds at Western Illinois Leathernecks in FantasyHQ CFB Analytics Box & Scores.