MACOMB, Ill. - The 22nd Gateway Football Conference kicks off for No. 21 Western Illinois Saturday the same way it has in three of the last five seasons - against Western Kentucky. The Leathernecks, winners of six of their last seven games, open conference play in Bowling Green Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Leathernecks are off to their first 3-1 start since the 2003 season and are ranked in the nation's top-25 for the first time since 2004.

Western Kentucky (1-2) leads the all-time series with Western Illinois, 7-4, but the Leathernecks have won all three conference openers. The welcomed the Hilltoppers into the Gateway with a 17-13 win in Macomb in 2001, and followed that with a 14-0 victory in 2002 and a 33-28 win in 2003. However, Western Kentucky has taken the last two meetings by a combined score of 87-10.

“We have a history of playing some outstanding, hard-fought battles with Western Kentucky, but we haven't done our part in keeping that history alive the past two years,” said eighth-year Western Illinois head coach Don Patterson. “We hope we're good enough to play like our 2001, 2002 and 2003 teams did. We have a job to do Saturday and it remains to be seen whether or not we get that done.”

The Hilltoppers enter Saturday's game after a bye-week, having last defeated Chattanooga, 28-21, in their first home game of the season. They fell 48-12 at Georgia in week one and lost 26-21 at #23 Eastern Kentucky in week two.

“I think for any of the Gateway teams, this week is more highly anticipated than other weeks,” Patterson said. “It's the start of our second season. It's nice to get off to a good start but that doesn't mean much unless you follow it up with a good conference season.”

Leathernecks Return to Top 25 at No. 21
Western Illinois returned to the I-AA top 25 rankings at No. 21 this week after having received votes each of the previous four Sports Network media polls. The Leathernecks, one of five Gateway teams in the polls, are ranked for the first time since Sept. 13, 2004. They were voted in a tie at No. 21 in the CSN Coaches Poll.

Gateway Season Begins With Western Kentucky for Fourth Time in Six Years
The 22nd Gateway Football Conference season begins for the Leathernecks just like three of the last five seasons have begun - against Western Kentucky. The Leathernecks have won all three games when facing the Hilltoppers in the league opener - 2001 (17-13), 2002 (14-0) and 2003 (33-28). Western Kentucky, however, has taken the last two games in the series, 45-3 in the 2004 closer, and 42-7 in 2005.

The Western Kentucky Series
Western Kentucky leads the all-time series with Western Illinois, 7-4, and has won the last two meetings by an average of 38.5 points. However, Western Illinois has won the last three meetings that have opened the conference schedule (2001, 2002, 2003) and leads 3-2 in the all-time Gateway series. The Hilltoppers have a 3-1 mark over the Leathernecks in Bowling Green, falling only in 2002 (14-0).

In Western Kentucky's five seasons as part of the Gateway, the two teams have finished tied or within one game of each other four times. The two Western's shared the Gateway title in 2002.

Last Time Versus Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers came to Macomb as the No. 1-ranked team last season and exploded for 42 points, including 35 unanswered after a 7-7 first-quarter tie. Lerron Moore rushed for a pair of touchdowns and Stephen Willis collected 149 yards on 26 carries for the Hilltoppers, who lost all four games after their visit to Hanson Field. Steve LaFalce was 14-of-19 passing for 112 yards and an interception for the Leathernecks. Travis Glasford provided the only score of the day, tying the game with 8:59 to play in the first on a 9-yard run.

Patterson Owns Best Scoring Average, Most Wins Among Gateway Coaches
Entering his eighth season, head coach Don Patterson's Leathernecks have averaged 32.5 points per game - more than any other Gateway team during the previous seven years. Not coincidentally, Patterson owns 27 Gateway victories - more than any other league coach at his current institution.

LaFalce Nearing 5,000-Yard Mark
Senior Steve LaFalce enters Saturday's game just 38 yards shy of becoming the fourth quarterback in Western Illinois history to pass for 5,000 yards in a career.
LaFalce on the WIU Career Passing Lists:
Yards 4,962 4th (1,018 for 3rd)
Completions 375 4th (43 for 3rd)
TD passes 37 3rd (7 for 2nd)

Three-Game League Winning Streak
Western Illinois won the final three games of the 2005 campaign, defeating #18 Illinois State (31-17), Indiana State (63-35) and Missouri State (34-24). Including that three-game league winning streak, the Leathernecks have won six of their last seven games.

PAT Streak Nearing School Mark
Taylor Rowan is just seven PATs away from tying Justin Langan's Western Illinois record of 72 consecutive extra points made. Rowan, a sophomore, has yet to miss a PAT in his career.

First 3-1 Non-Conference Record Since 2003
The Leathernecks are entering league play with a 3-1 record for the first time since 2003 when they defeated Wayne State, Eastern Michigan and Tennessee-Martin and fell to LSU. They finished with a 9-4 record that year, including a 5-2 mark away from home, and advanced to the second round of the I-AA Playoffs.

Bennett Tallies Game-High 12 Tackles
Junior LB Jerome Bennett led all players with an even dozen tackles at Northern Colorado, notching seven solo stops in the 42-28 victory. Bennett also had a tackles for loss and forced a pair of fumbles, one of which was recovered by the Leathernecks, helping establish a plus-two turnover margin.

LaFalce Has 13th 200-Yard Passing Game
Senior QB Steve LaFalce completetd 14 of his 21 pass attempts for 203 yards and three touchdowns at Northern Colorado, recording his 13th career 200-yard game and his seventh outing with at least three scoring passes. LaFalce has thrown just three interceptions through four games and 79 attempts - all three were at Wisconsin.

Jackson Scores on 85-Yard Punt Return
Redshirt-freshman Tim Jackson returned a fourth-quarter punt 85 yards to the end zone against Northern Colorado, giving the Leathernecks a 42-14 lead with 11:37 left. It was just the fourth punt return of Jackson's career, and boosted the Leathernecks from fifth to first in the league rankings and from 75th to fourth in the national rankings.

The 85-yard return is the fourth-longest in school history and is the longest by a Leatherneck since James Norris' school-record 95-yard return at Eastern Michigan in 2003.

Donaldson Rushes for 100 Yards in Back-to-Back Outings
In three quarters of work at Northern Colorado, sophomore RB Herb Donaldson tallied 105 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just 12 carries, averaging 8.8 yards per attempt and notching his second 100-yard outing in as many games. He is now averaging 101.2 yards per game on the season.

Khaleel Records Career-High 12 Tackles
Senior DB Fu'ad Khaleel recorded a personal-best 12 tackles at Northern Colorado, matching teammate Jerome Bennett for game-high honors. Khaleel also recovered a fumble at the Bears 26-yard line that was forced by Bennett and led to a third-quarter touchdown for the Leathernecks.

Rowan Finds End Zone With Kickoffs
Sophomore Taylor Rowan kicked off seven times in Greeley - five of which were touchbacks and one, after Tim Jackson's punt return for a touchdown, which was recovered by the Leathernecks' David Beaver at the 33-yard line. On the season, more than half (14 of 25) of Rowan's kickoffs have been touchbacks.

Seventh Different Leathernecks Gets Interception
Stephen Moore picked off a second-quarter pass against Northern Colorado to become the seventh different Leatherneck with an interception this season. The interception, Western's eighth of the year, led to a 21-7 Western Illinois advantage.

First Non-Conference Road Win Since 2003
Last week's 42-28 win at Northern Colorado was Western's first non-conference road victory sine defeating I-A Eastern Michigan in 2003. It was the Leathernecks' first road win over a I-AA team since defeating Southern Utah in the 2002 closer.

100 Points in Two Games
Western's 100 points scored over the last two games (58 vs. Kentucky Wesleyan, 42 at Northern Colorado) are the most in back-to-back games since scoring 104 in consecutive outings in 1999 (68 vs. Southern Illinois, 36 at Indiana State). The Leathernecks averaged 34.8 points per game that season, but surpassed that average in both 2002 (36.2 ppg) and 2003 (36.3 ppg).

Their current scoring average of 35.3 points per game ranks fourth in the school history books.

Leathernecks Lead League in Scoring Defense, Pass Efficiency Defense
Western's defense has come out of the gates to lead the Gateway Conference in pass efficiency defense (64.03) and pass defense (69.25 yards per game) through the non-conference season. The Leathernecks have intercepted eight of their opponents' 99 pass attempts and have allowed just two passing touchdowns through four games.

13 Turnovers Gained Ranks Second in Nation
Western's 13 turnovers generated (8 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries) is currently the second-most in I-AA football, while its +2.25 turnover margin ranks atop the league and sixth in the country. Only Portland State has generated more turnovers (15).

Discipline
After ranking eighth in the league last year in average penalty yards, the Leathernecks have cut down on their penalties and now rank first among Gateway teams and 22nd nationally at 41.5 yards per game.

Sacks By and Sacks Allowed Both Near Top of League
The Leathernecks' offensive line, which consists of a starting corps of four seniors and a junior, has allowed just four sacks (-21 yards) through four games this season. The four sacks are the second-fewest in the league.

On the defensive side of the ball, eight different Leathernecks have combined for a league-leading nine sacks (-50 yards).

8 Interceptions Is One Shy of Nation's Best
Western's eight pass interceptions (by seven different players) put the Leathernecks just one shy of the nation's top mark. Both Portland State and Illinois State have tallied nine interceptions.

Donaldson Averaging More Than 100 YPG on Fewer Than 15 Carries Per Game
Sophomore Herb Donaldson is averaging 101.2 rushing yards per game this season, despite carrying the ball no more than 17 times in a game. By comparison, Travis Glasford averaged 95.6 yards on 20 carries last season and 95.2 yards on 21 carries per game throughout his career.

Bennett Among National Leaders in Tackles, Forced Fumbles
Jerome Bennett currently leads the nation in forced fumbles (1.00 per game, tied with three others) and ranks 19th in total tackles 10.33 per game). He also ranks 33rd in solo stops at 5.33 per contest. Among Gateway players, Bennett ranks third in tackles per game, behind a pair of Illinois State defenders.

Turnovers Generated by Defense Lead to Points Generated by Offense
The 13 turnovers generated by the Leatherneck defense has led to 51 points by the offense. Western has capitalized on each of its last seven turnovers (over the last three games), turning them into six touchdowns and one field goal. Just three turnovers this season have resulted in stalled drives.

More About Turnovers
• Fewest turnovers in a season: 17 (1998, 1999), Now: 4
• Most turnovers generated in a season: 44 (1984), Now: 13

O-Line Keeps Backs Moving Forward
Thanks to an experienced offensive line, Leatherneck running backs have lost just seven yards behind the line of scrimmage. Herb Donaldson, who has carried the ball a team-high 58 times, has lost just four yards.

Six Leathernecks Have Receiving TDs
Senior QB Steve LaFalce has spread the receiving duties among 10 receivers this season, six of whom have reached the end zone. His most common targets are Marco Thomas (16 rec., 209 yds., 3 TD) and Carl Sims (12 rec., 158 yds., 1 TD).