WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS (1-1 overall)
at MISSOURI TIGERS (1-1 overall)
Saturday, September 17  •  6 p.m.  •  Faurot Field
All-Time Series: Mizzou leads 1-0
Last Meeting: @Mizzou 50, WIU 20 (9/2/2000)

THE GAME: Western Illinois will face its only scheduled regular season game against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent as it travels to Missouri... The Leathernecks will play their 29th game all-time against a FBS team (12th against a BCS conference member) dating back to the 1986 season... Western will look to improve on its 6-22 record against the FBS, in the process end an eight-game losing streak against FBS teams (last win at Eastern Michigan in 2003), and record its first-ever win against a BCS team... Western had played at least one FBS opponent each year since 1993

THE COACHES: Mark Hendrickson is in his 13th year with the Leatherneck Football program, second full year as the head coach. He owns a 14-16 record at Western and overall (parts of two years as acting head coach)... Gary Pinkel owns a 78-50 record in 11 years at Missouri, and 151-87-3 overall record in 21 years as a head coach.

2011 TEAM CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED: Three seniors and a junior were voted team captains for the 2011 season. Linebacker Kevin Palermo (West Chicago/Driscoll Catholic) and defensive back Tim Franken (Carol Stream/Driscoll Catholic), both seniors, join senior tight end Aaron Muhammad (River Oaks, TX/Arlington Heights/Tyler College) and junior quarterback Wil Lunt (Rochester/Rochester) in representing the Fighting Leathernecks.

ALL-TIME SERIES: This marks the second-ever meeting between Western Illinois and Missouri... The Fighting Leathernecks dropped a 50-20 decision to the Tigers in September 2000.

HUDSON TABBED BY CFPA: Josh Hudson earned his first start as a Leatherneck and led Western on all five of its touchdown drives against Jacksonville... After completing his first eight passes, Hudson wound up 14-of-20 for the game with 215 yards and three TDs to no turnovers... He was selected an Honorable Mention performer by the College Football Performance Awards.

AND LEADING THE NATION: In his first two games as a Leatherneck Josh Hudson is leading Division I FCS in passing efficiency... Hudson has completed 21-of-32 passes (65.6 percent) for 351 yards and four TDs to no interceptions... His passing efficiency rating currently stands 199.01... His 175.5 passing yards puts him third in the league.

MORE CAREER LISTINGS FOR CRUMP: Terriun Crump turned in another impressive game with seven receptions totaling 143 yards  helping Western to a home-opening win over Jacksonville... He also moved into the career 'Top 10' in two more categories... Crump's fifth 100-yard receiving game puts him tied for sixth all-time... He moved into a tie for 10th with 86 receptions while his 1,393 yards overtook 10th place... With four more TDs Crump will join that list as well.

MUHAMMAD HONORED BY CFPA: For the first time in his career, Aaron Muhammad received recognition by the College Football Performance Awards... He caught a career-high three passes totaling 20 yards and hauled in a touchdown pass in the win over Jacksonville... Muhammad now has two TD receptions in his two-year Leatherneck career.

RAY PICKS UP FIFTH 100-YARDER, CFPA AWARD: Racking up 118 yards on 18 carries against Jacksonville, Caulton Ray picked up his fifth career 100-yard game... He averaged 6.6 yards per carry in the win... He was noted Honorable Mention by the College Football Performance Awards for his effort against Jacksonville... Overall Ray stands 39th nationally averaging 83 yards.

RAY 100-YARD RUSHING GAMES

140 - Northern Iowa (2010)

118 - Jacksonville (2011)

115 - Indiana State (2010)

106 - at North Dakota State (2010)

105 - Illinois State (2010)

DIXON LEADS DEFENSE: Transfer Theon Dixon made a memorable start to his Western Illinois career. The junior outside linebacker recorded a team-high nine stops, including six solos, and had a 5-yard tackle for loss... He added two TFLs against Jacksonville and again paced the defense making eight stops.

FRANKEN VOTED TEAM CAPTAIN: Senior Tim Franken has played since his true-freshman season, but has missed seven games the last two years due to injuries... Franken is approaching 100 career tackles... He opened the year with six at Sam Houston State and thanks to another five versus Jacksonville he now has 96 in his career... Franken also accounted for one of the three interceptions against JU, the fifth of his career and first since his freshman season.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS: Missouri fell from the 'Top 25' rankings in both major polls following a 37-30 overtime loss at Arizona State... The Tigers got 26-of-42 passing from James Franklin for 319 yards and two touchdowns... Henry Josey led the rushing attack with 94 yards on only nine carries. Franklin took most of the carries, netting 84 yards on 27 attempts and a TD... Trey Barrow averaged an impressive 58 yards on four punts, including a long of 73 yards... Grant Ressel went 3-of-5 on FG hitting from 24, 47 and 19 yards. However, his 48-yard attempt late in regulation missed... Zaviar Gooden recorded nine solo tackles to lead the defense, including the Tigers' only sack... The Tigers' 10.0 average per punt return leads the Big 12 and ties for 37th nationally... A plus-1.0 turnover margin is good for 26th... Led by Barrow, the team stands 16th with a 42.7 net punt average... Franklin ranks 20th nationally in total offense at 302 yards... Barrow is fourth nationally with a 49.6 punt average.