MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois Football will play five games at Hanson Field and travel to Missouri as part of the 2011 schedule. Dr. Tim Van Alstine, Assistant Vice President for Student Services/Director of Athletics, announced the schedule on Tuesday (March 22).

The Leathernecks, finishing last year ranked 17th nationally, open the season on Thursday, September 1st, at Sam Houston State. It marks the third straight year playing the Bearkats, and second time in three years the Leathernecks will open on a Thursday night in Huntsville.

Western opens the home schedule on September 10th against Jacksonville. The Dolphins, ranked 22nd last year, are a member of the Pioneer Football League.

For the first time since 2000 Western will travel to Missouri and face the Tigers (Sept. 17). It will also be just the third meeting for the Leathernecks against a Big XII Conference member in that span.

Missouri Valley Football Conference play begins the following weekend for Western when it travels to defending regular season champion Northern Iowa. The Leathernecks defeated UNI in the 2010 regular season finale to take sole possession of second place.

Western will play host to Southern Illinois on October 1st as part of Homecoming 2011 festivities. Kickoff at Hanson Field is scheduled for 3 p.m.

The Leathernecks take a week off before traveling to Indiana State (Oct. 15). On October 22nd Western faces Missouri State at 6 p.m. on Family Weekend, then closes out the month at Youngstown State (Oct. 29).

November begins with a road game at Illinois State (Nov. 5) before the Leathernecks close out the regular season playing host to South Dakota State (Nov. 12) and North Dakota State (Nov. 19). All three November games are scheduled for a 1 p.m. kick.

The NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs open with First Round play on November 26th.

Season tickets for the five home games will go on sale April 4th. Fans can call the ticket office at (309) 298-1190 or purchase tickets online at www.GoLeathernecks.com.