Western Illinois quarterback Trenton Norvell threw touchdown passes to five different receivers in leading the Fighting Leathernecks to a 44-29 victory against South Dakota Saturday inside the DakotaDome.
The win ends a two-game skid for Western Illinois (4-6, 2-4 MVFC) which has won all three games in the series since becoming Valley foes in 2012. The Coyotes (2-8, 0-6) have lost their last six.
Norvell completed 20 of 28 passes for 287 yards and threw five touchdowns for the first time in his collegiate career. He threw touchdowns of 12, 34, 22, 12 and 17 yards. His 34-yard hook up with Hi-C Scott was on 4th-and-2 and gave Western a 14-0 lead nine minutes into the game. His 17-yard touchdown to Lance Lenoir with 10:32 remaining was the final score of the game.
Western backs J.C. Baker and Devon Moore complimented Norvell to the tune of 216 yards and a score. Baker carried 21 times for 118 yards. Moore had 12 totes for 98 yards. Moore’s 18-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-1 midway through the third quarter was a first score of the second half and broke a 23-23 halftime tie. A USD fumble – the only turnover of the game – set up the 39-yard drive.
South Dakota quarterback Kevin Earl completed 20 of 38 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. His top target was Eric Shufford, who caught eight passes for 99 yards and gave USD a 20-14 lead with a 21-yard touchdown catch with 5:28 to go in the first half.
