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Sarah Twidwell

Leathernecks Host Defending National Champs Saturday

The Leathernecks will play host to NDSU Saturday in a ‘Pack It Purple’ matchup at Hanson Field.

Oct. 13 • 6 p.m. • Hanson Field • Macomb, Ill.
Game 6 vs. North Dakota State
Western Illinois Game Notes | North Dakota State Game Notes

Pack It Purple: Fans are encouraged to wear purple Saturday as we 'Pack It Purple' at Hanson Field. 

Group Discounts:  Groups of 30 or more will receive $2 general admission tickets (per person) for the Leathernecks' matchup versus NDSU. Call now to reserve your group's rate by reaching out to Western's ticket office at 309-298-1190. Tickets must be purchased through the ticket office by Thursday, Oct. 11, at 4 p.m. 

The Series: Saturday will mark the 10th meeting between Western and North Dakota State, and the Bison lead the all-time series, 7-2. Both of the Leathernecks' victories occurred in Fargo with a 27-22 win in 2008 and a 28-16 success in 2010. 

Western's Last Outing: The Leathernecks (2-3, 1-1 MVFC) led Illinois State for three quarters -- limiting the home team to just six yards of total offense in the third -- but were outscored 21-0 in the final frame to drop the decision, 33-16. 

- Sean McGuire passed Paul Singer (1985-88) for the program's records in passing touchdowns and passing yards
- Adam Fellner recorded 407 punting yards, the most of his career
- Darron Wheeler tied his career-high with five tackles
- 20 Leathernecks recorded a tackle in the contest

Against the Nation's Best: In it's meeting with NDSU, Western will be taking on the nation's No. 1 team for the ninth time in program history. 

Against the nation's best, the Leathernecks have one victory under their belt - a 14-0 shutout over Youngstown State on Oct. 3, 1998. 

All-time vs. No. 1s 
Sept. 28, 1985 | at Richmond | L, 20-38
Oct. 3, 1998 | vs. Youngstown State | W, 14-0
Dec. 12, 1998 | at Georgia Southern | L, 14-42
Oct. 30, 2004 | at Southern Illinois | L, 13-66
Oct. 22, 2005 | vs. Western Kentucky | L, 7-42
Oct. 20, 2007 | vs. Northern Iowa | L, 3-42
Oct. 4, 2014 | vs. North Dakota State | L, 10-17
Nov. 19, 2015 | at Coastal Carolina | L, 27-34

The Leathernecks reached the nation's No. 1 ranking (Sports Network & ESPN polls) for the first time in school history on Sept. 8, 2003, and held the position for one week before a 35-7 loss to the eventual I-A national champion LSU dropped them to No. 2. 

McGuire & Milestones: Sean McGuire became Western's career leader in passing yards and touchdowns at Illinois State (Oct. 6), managing 8,269 and 64, respectively. 

Paul Singer, who played at Western from 1985-88, previously sat atop the record book in passing yards (8,257) and touchdowns (62), and still holds the all-time marks for completions (678) and attempts (1,231). 

McGuire matched his career-high with four touchdowns thrown in the Leathernecks' Missouri Valley Football Conference opener against Youngstown State. He was named the MVFC Offensive Player of the Week for the game, adding a rushing TD while completing 22 of his 34 passes with no interceptions.  

Momma, There Goes That Man: Running back and return specialist Steve McShane is on the bend of claiming a top 10 spot on the Leathernecks' career rushing yards list. He cracked the top 10 in all-purpose yards and rushing touchdowns in the Leathernecks' MVFC opener against Youngstown State, and currently sits seventh (3,194) and 10th (17) in the categories. 

The YSU game also saw McShane tab the eighth-longest rush in program history as it took him 14 seconds to travel 75 yards for a TD. 

Brian Knuckles is 10th on Western's career rushing list with 2,158 yards, and McShane is currently managing 2,005. The senior from Freeport, Ill., also ranks seventh all-time in program history with 27 touchdowns, 17 rushing, eight receiving and two on returns. 

Swenson Stops: Pete Swenson leads the Missouri Valley Football Conference and ties for fifth in the nation with 10.0 tackles for loss. He notched a season-high 3.5 TFL at Illinois State to sit 10th all-time in Western history with 35 in his four-year career. 

Swenson also ranks fifth in the Leathernecks' history books with 17.5 career sacks. 

The Best in the FCS: In back-to-back weeks, Quentin Moon continues to pace the FCS in solo tackles per game (7.2). He tabbed a career-high 11 solo tackles at Illinois State this season and has finished with 10 or more tackles in all but one game. 

We Did It First: WIU has scored first in all five games this season – each score was a touchdown in the first quarter. 

Montana State – A three-yard rush by Steve McShane on Western's second drive
Illinois – A 20-yard pass from Sean McGuire to George Wahee on the very first drive of the game
Montana – A 71-yard pass from McGuire to John Brunner on the second play of the game
Youngstown State – An eight-yard pass from McGuire to Adam Conrady on the opening drive
Illinois State – A 16-yard pass from McGuire to Tony Tate on the opening drive

Scouting the Bison: North Dakota State travels to Macomb after winning five-straight contests to begin the season. The 2017 National Champions have won 18 out of the last 19 games and are currently riding an 11-game win streak. The Bison are led by senior quarterback Easton Stick, who just collected his second MVFC Offensive 'Player of the Week' of the season after his performance against Northern Iowa. On the year, Stick is 49-87 with 851 yards and nine scores. On the defensive side of the ball, Robbie Grimsley has collected a team-high 38 total tackles and an interception. 








 
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