Western Illinois beats Eastern Illinois 33-5

MACOMB, Ill. (AP) Lance Lenoir caught a touchdown pass and sparkled on punt and kickoff returns to help the Leathernecks beat Eastern Illinois 33-5 in a season-opener Thursday night.

The Leathernecks took advantage of three interceptions and two fumbles by Jalen Whitlow and 14 Panthers penalties.

Trailing 3-0, Lenoir returned the ensuing kickoff 71 yards. Three plays later Trenton Norvell threw 19 yards to Lenoir for a touchdown. Lenoir had 124 yards on 10 catches.

It was 14-3 after a 1-yard scoring run by Devon Moore, which came after an interception and a roughing-the-kicker penalty on a missed field-goal attempt.

Brett Taylor scored on a 42-yard interception return in the third quarter, though the Panthers returned the blocked PAT for two points.

After a 42-yard punt return by Lenoir, Moore scored from 4 yards out for a 30-5 advantage.

This was the second meeting since the two schools were conference rivals from 1934-1997.