Valley Opener, Homecoming and Hall of Fame

Tuesday, October 01, 2019

The Leathernecks will take on Missouri State in their 2019 MVFC opener.

GAME FIVE

Who | Western Illinois (0-4) vs. Missouri State (0-3)
When | Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m.
Where | Hanson Field - Macomb, Ill.
TV | ESPN+
Radio | WRMS (Danny Frey, Dr. Tom Cody)
Social Media | Twitter + Facebook #TRADITIONofTOUGH, #DANGEROUSandRELENTLESS

Hall of Fame | Football alum Robert L. Nardelli will be inducted into the Western Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame this Friday and has also been named the 2019 Homecoming Parade grand marshal.

The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.

The former CEO of GE Power Systems, Home Depot, and Chrysler, Nardelli was a three-year letterman for the Leathernecks and was the starting left guard of the 1969 team that won the final IIAC championship. He also served as co-captain of the 1970 team and was an active member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity at WIU.

Nardelli will be inducted alongside the 1974 baseball team.

Homecoming 2019 | This year's homecoming theme is 'Rocky on Broadway.' Events include Town & Gown (Sept. 26), Paint the Paws (Sept. 27), an all-alumni social (Oct. 4), the WIU Athletics Hall of Fame (Oct. 4), and so much more.

Please click here for the full schedule.

The Series | Western broke the series stalemate a year ago with a 31-14 victory in Springfield, Mo., and currently manage an 18-17-1 edge in all-time meetings against Missouri State.

Double Down | Dennis Houston's inaugural Western campaign currently includes a team-best 302 receiving yards with two touchdowns. He is the only Leatherneck to post 100-plus yards in a single game this season and achieved the feat in back-to-back in games against Montana State (141) and Tennessee Tech (111).

With a 65-yard catch, Houston ties Kendon Walker for WIU's longest play of the year. The latter recorded a 65-yard rush at Colorado State.

Just Kickin It | Nathan Erickson continues to pace Western in scoring with a team-high 20 points. The junior kicker is 4-for-6 in field goals -- his longest coming from 44 yards out – with a perfect 8-for-8 effort in point-after attempts.

What An Introduction | Kevin Johnson made his Leatherneck debut in the second half of their non-conference finale against Tennessee Tech. His team trailed, 14-3, at the break before the senior transfer sparked a rally that closed the deficit to 31-24 midway through the fourth quarter.

He recorded three touchdowns on a 10-14-2 performance with 159 yards. Sean McGuire was the last Leatherneck QB to throw three or more touchdown passes, and did so against Missouri State a season ago.

National Rankings | Three games into the 2019 season, Western Illinois maintains the following national rankings.

Net Punting | No. 23 FCS; No. 3 MVFC | 38.68 YPG
Third Down Conversion % Defense | No. 26 FCS; No. 4 MVFC | 32.7
Kickoff Return Defense | No. 30; No. 4 | 17.17 YPG
Fumbles Recovered | No. 39 FCS; No. 3 MVFC | 3 FR
Kickoff Returns | No. 41 FCS; No. 1 | 21.93 YPG

Individually ...
Punting (Adam Fellner) | No. 26 FCS; No. 3 MVFC | 43.7 YDS
Combined Kick Returns (Justin Hall) | No. 32 FCS; No. 1 MVFC | 182 YDS
Completions Per Game (Connor Sampson) | No. 43 FCS; No. 4 MVFC | 17.75

In the Backfield | In back-to-back games, Marquis Smith has had at least three pass breakups. Against Montana State, he forced and recovered a fumble, and versus TTU, he recorded an interception.

Senior Leadership | Tom Rehfeld has started his senior campaign on the highest of notes. Starting every game so far, he was voted team captain during preseason camp and is currently co-leading the team with 28 tackles.

The tackle mark already doubles his total from his first three years of play combined.

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The Leathernecks will take on Missouri State in their 2019 MVFC opener.

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