MACOMB, Ill. – After three straight road contests and the bye week, the Western Illinois University football team finally is back in town for a game, hosting McKendree in the home opener. The Leathernecks and Bearcats are set to kick at 6 p.m. on Saturday. It is also Senior Day for the program as WIU will honor 20 seniors before the game.
WHO | McKendree (2-1, 1-0) at Western Illinois (0-3, 0-0)
WHEN | Saturday, September 28, 6 p.m.
WHERE | Hanson Field, Macomb, Illinois
FOLLOW ALONG | STREAM: ESPN+ ; RADIO: Q98.1 FM; LIVE STATS
SOCIAL MEDIA | X;Facebook;Instagram
PREVIOUSLY | Western Illinois was on bye last week. One week ago, the Leathernecks fell to Illinois State 51-34.
ABOUT THE LEATHERNECKS | Western Illinois averages 17.33 points per game while allowing 60.67 … Western Illinois averages 97.3 yards per game on the ground while throwing for 210 per contest … Cameren Smith leads the ground game, averaging 48 yards per game … QB Nathan Lamb is 54-88-3 for 582 yards and two touchdowns … Matthew Henry has eight catches for 135 yards while Christian Anaya has 13 for 97 … Michael Newman leads the defense with 24 tackles … Ryan Crandall has 21 stops.
ABOUT THE BEARCATS | After dropping their season opener, McKendree has won its last two games to improve to 2-1. The Bearcats had a 34-19 win over Lincoln of Missouri and a 22-15 win over Minnesota State Moorhead last Saturday. McKendree is led by interim first-year coach Jason Rejfek, who was named to the position on August 6, 2024. Rejfek played at McKendree, starring as a linebacker. The Bearcats are led by running back Eddie Clark, who averaged 73 yards per game. Quarterback Ty Michael is 56-105-3 for 697 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Yogi Flager Jr. has team highs in receptions (18) and yards (317). Nick Bova and Andrew Sherry each have 21 tackles to lead the Bearcat defense. Sherry has a pair of interceptions.
HISTORY | This is the sixth time the Leathernecks and Bearcats have met. McKendree leads the all-time series 3-2. The teams last met in 1935. WIU is 2-1 at home vs. McKendree.
LAMB'S BIG WEEK | Quarterback Nathan Lamb was named the Big South-OVC Offensive Player of the Week on September 16. Lamb went 24-33 passing for 269 yards and a touchdown. Lamb also ran for three touchdowns and 59 yards on 15 carries. Lamb is the first Leatherneck to earn conference Offensive Player of the Week since September 4, 2022.
EXTRA NOTES | In WIU's last game, Lamb set a program record, completing his first 11 passes. Steve LaFalce held the previous school record, completing his first 10 passes vs. Northern Colorado in 2005 ... Matt Henry's 100-yard receiving first half was the first for Western Illinois since Jaylin Jackson had over 100 in the first half vs. Lindenwood on Sept. 16, 2023 ... Western Illinois' +17:08 time of possession advantage was the most for the team since a +21:47 vs. Missouri State in 2018 … As a squad, the Leathernecks carried the ball 51 times for 186 yards. The yards are the most the team has run for since rushing for 238 vs. the Redbirds in the 2022 season finale … As a team, WIU compiled 503 yards of total offense. It is the first time the squad has had more than 500 yards of offense since gaining 643 vs. Eastern Washington in 2021.
COMING UP | Next week WIU begins its inaugural season in the Big South-OVC Football Association playing at Charleston Southern. Western Illinois previously played in the Missouri Valley Football Conference/Gateway Conference from 1985-2023.
AROUND THE BIG SOUTH-OHIO VALLEY | In league play, Tennessee Tech topped Tennessee State, 24-14 … In the biggest win of the week for the conference, SEMO defeated No. 7 Southern Illinois 38-21 … Lindenwood (64-0 over St. Thomas) and Gardner-Webb (42-21 over Presbyterian) also scored wins for the league … UT Martin lost 31-24 to Missouri State and Eastern Illinois lost 31-7 to Illinois State.
PRESEASON NOTES | For the Leathernecks,Nathan Lamb (quarterback),Torrance Farmer Jr. (running back),Demari Davis (wide receiver),Brandon Lanier (tight end),Isaiah Foote (offensive line),Tre Henry (defensive line),Juan DelaCruz (linebacker),Willie Jones (defensive back),Christiaan Masucci (placekicker) andJared Campbell (punter) were named Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association Players to Watch … Western Illinois football team also was recognized by Phil Steele/Draftscout.com with five players named to the 2024Phil Steele/Draftscout.comPreseason All-Big South-OVCTeam. The Leathernecks had a pair of linebackers named second team asJuan DelaCruz andRyan Crandall were honored. Western Illinois also had a trio of players named third team as wide receiverDemari Davis, offensive linemanIsaiah Foote, and cornerbackWillie Jones were listed.
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