Football Announces 2016 Schedule

Schedule includes five games at home, in addition to two non-conference games versus Illinois programs.

2016 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois Football announced its 2016 schedule, which highlights five games at Hanson Field and two non-conference road games against programs from within the state.

The Fighting Leathernecks return 46 letterwinners and 17 starters off last year's team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs and finished the year ranked 22nd nationally. Western, which played the toughest schedule in the country last fall, finished 7-6 overall and 5-3 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (tied for 3rd place).

The non-conference portion of the schedule sees Western face three programs with winning records, including two that advanced to the postseason – Eastern Illinois (7-5, FCS Playoffs) and Northern Illinois (8-6, lost in San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl).

For the first time in five years, Western opens the season on the road as the Leathernecks travel to Eastern on Thursday, September 1. The Leathernecks' home opener is Saturday, September 10 (Family Day), playing host to Northern Arizona of the Big Sky Conference. WIU defeated Eastern last year at home, and it will be the second-ever meeting versus Northern Arizona (7-4 last year).

Following a bye week, Western travels to DeKalb on September 24 to face the NIU Huskies for the 40th time in program history (first since 2009). Western opens MVFC play the following weekend, and the conference is shaping up to be as tough as ever. In 2016 and 2017, Western will not play Youngstown State.

Western opens its MVFC schedule October 1 at South Dakota State, the team WIU defeated in double-overtime in the 2015 regular season finale to clinch a playoff berth. The annual Homecoming game takes place on October 8 versus Indiana State, the other team Western defeated in overtime in the next-to-last game of the regular season that started a three-game win streak.

After a two-year hiatus off the MVFC schedule, Western faces Missouri State on October 15 in Springfield. The Leathernecks return to Hanson Field on October 22 to play host to defending national champion North Dakota State. October closes out with a road game at South Dakota (Oct. 29).

Western faces Illinois State (Nov. 5) and Northern Iowa (Nov. 12) at home before closing out the regular season at Southern Illinois (Nov. 19).

The opening round of the FCS Playoffs begins on Saturday, November 26. The National Championship game will take place on January 7, 2017 in Frisco, Texas.

"The 2016 schedule is exciting, challenging, and as competitive as any in the country in FCS football," said head coach Charlie Fisher. "Playing in the premier Missouri Valley Conference is as tough as it gets. It is an opportunity to showcase our team against the very best week in and week out. My staff and I cannot wait for spring practice to get here and start preparing for the 2016 season."

Fisher and the Leathernecks open spring practice on March 22. The annual Bruce Craddock Memorial Spring game scheduled for Friday night, April 22 and the program's annual golf outing will take place the next day. Season ticket prices for the five home games will be announced later this spring. Fans can visit GoLeathernecks.com for the latest information on ticket prices and group packages.

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