Western Illinois Leathernecks @ Dayton Flyers
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WIU | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
DAY | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Western Illinois beats Dayton 24-7 in FCS playoffs
DAYTON, Ohio -- Nikko Watson ran for 152 yards and a touchdown and Western Illinois beat Dayton 24-7 on Saturday in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
Western Illinois (7-5), one of five Missouri Valley Conference playoff teams, next takes on fellow conference member Illinois State. Dayton (10-2) made its first playoff appearance since moving to Division I in 1993.
Dayton scored on Alex Jeske's 5-yard run in the first quarter but the Flyers turned the ball over three times in the red zone in the first half after having just one red-zone turnover all season.
Watson tied the game on a 7-yard run seven plays after the first of three Jeske interceptions.
Nathan Knuffman kicked a 27-yard field goal 11 seconds before halftime.
Sean McGuire threw touchdown passes of 22 and 9 yards to Lance Lenoir and Stacey Smith, respectively, in the second half. McGuire threw for 183 yards and was intercepted twice.
Game Information
Dayton, OH
2025 Standings
| OVC-Big South Association | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Tech | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| UT Martin | 6-2 | 6-6 |
| Gardner-Webb | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Lindenwood | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Charleston Southern | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Western Illinois | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Eastern Illinois | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Tennessee State | 0-8 | 2-10 |
| Pioneer Football League | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Drake | 7-1 | 8-4 |
| Presbyterian | 6-2 | 10-2 |
| San Diego | 6-2 | 8-4 |
| Dayton | 5-3 | 7-4 |
| St. Thomas-Minnesota | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Morehead State | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Butler | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Marist | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Stetson | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Davidson | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| Valparaiso | 1-7 | 2-10 |
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