MACOMB, Ill. (AP) _ Charles Tharp ran for 134 yards and three touchdowns Saturday in leading Western Illinois to a 46-27 win over Northern Iowa, over-shawdowing a 541-yards passing performance by Ryan Helming.

Northern Iowa's Panthers (7-3, 3-3 Gateway), ranked 11th in the latest I-AA poll, fell behind 36-6 in the second quarter and couldn't catch up.

The Leathernecks (6-4, 2-4), the defending Gateway champs, never trailed after Mark Zanders hit J.R. Niklos with a 6-yard scoring pass for a 6-0 lead in the opening period.

Zanders finished 14-of-29 passing for 285 yards and two TDs.

Helming was 38-of-69 passing. He had four touchdowns through the air, but also threw six interceptions. Mike Furrey had 13 catches for 286 yards and three TDs.

Western rolled up 236 yards on the ground while holding Northern to only 45. Tharp had 31 carries.