Western Illinois’ Russ Michna threw five first-half touchdowns and completed 10-of-17 passes for 292 yards to lead the host Leathernecks to a 56-0 win over UTM.

Michna completed TD passes of 21, 82, 11, 61 and 13 yards in the first half. Michna, the Gateway Conference’s 2002 Offensive Player of the Year and a 2003 Walter Payton Candidate, set a new school record with the five first-half TD passes.

Michna’s favorite target was Reggie Gray who hauled in three first-half touchdown passes.

The Leatherneck defense limited the Skyhawks to 56 total yards in the first half. Freshman quarterback Brett Hall completed 9-of-18 passes in the first half for 75 yards.

The only first-half highlight for the Skyhawks was a 41-yard interception return by freshman corner back Rayvon Sims. WIU tacked on two more scores in the third quarter.

Charles Hayden scored on a 26-yard run with 11:55 to play in the third quarter and Sedrick Rivers closed out the scoring with a 16-yard TD run with 6:33 to play.

The Skyhawks offense was hindered in the second half by the absence of starter Brett Hall who suffered from a shoulder injury in the closing minutes of the first half.

Redshirt freshman Bart Browder replaced Hall in the second half.

The Skyhawks also lost punter/kicker Brent Harris in the first half. Harris was replaced by transfer J.T. Batson.

The Skyhawks finished the game with 89 yards, while WIU racked up 517 yards of offense.