Who | Western Illinois (1-7, 1-4) vs. Illinois State (3-4, 1-3)

When | Saturday, Oct. 30 - 3 p.m.

Where | Macomb, Ill. (Hanson Field)

Radio | Q98.1, and Leatherneck Sports Network (Mixlr) - Dr. Tom Cody and RJ Larson

TV | ESPN+

Social Media | Twitter + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH
 

Quick Hits

• This Saturday, Western Illinois football begins a two-week home stretch (Oct. 30), bringing in Illinois State for a 3 p.m. contest at Hanson Field.

• Last weekend (Oct. 23), WIU fell on the road to North Dakota, 34-10.

• Saturday's game will be the 104th meeting between the Leathernecks and Redbirds in one of the most storied rivalries in program history.

• The Leathernecks will hold 'Military Appreciation Day' during Saturday's showing.

• The Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) will be featuring the afternoon tilt as 'Game of the Week.'

• Wide receiver Dallas Daniels recorded his longest career reception in the North Dakota showing -- a 51-yard touchdown catch.

Most Recently … | Protecting its turf this past Saturday (Oct. 23), the North Dakota Fighting Hawks secured a 34-10 decision over WIU for its first conference victory of the year.

UND's first touchdown arrived on its first drive -- sending a 45-yard pass to the endzone. Taking advantage of a penalty that awarded a new first down, the Leathernecks made North Dakota pay by ringing in a 51-yard touchdown reception by Dallas Daniels, evening the score at 7-7. After seeing the Fighting Hawks make a huge 64-yard carry to reach 1st and Goal, the Leatherneck defense prevented any chances of entering the end zone, as UND settled for a successful field goal. Western's receivers helped the offense get inside the UND10 before the quarter came to a close.

A 24-yard field goal by Mason Laramie opened up quarter two for WIU, tying the outing up again, 10-10. Picking up substantial receiving yards, UND again made its way to the 10-yard line, but Western's defense held on -- snatching away the Fighting Hawks' attempt on a 4th and Goal. During its next drive, a five-yard run put UND in front again, 17-10. The Leatherneck defense made several plays down the stretch to hold off any further points by the host before halftime.

Shortly into the third quarter, UND went up 24-10 after completing a short touchdown pass. The first turnover of the afternoon happened not long afterward during the Fighting Hawks' next turn on offense, which Dallas Martin scooped it up at the WIU29. However, UND had an answer minutes later, using a three-play, 76-yard drive to surge ahead, 31-10.

UND kicked its second field goal early in the final period and grabbed its second interception on Western's ensuing drive. Later, with under four minutes to go, the Leathernecks made another impressive defensive stop with UND in the red zone. Nevertheless, the home team hung on for a win in the indoor Alerus Center.

New Marks | Against North Dakota, Connor Sampson set a new personal single-season mark for passing yards. The quarterback currently sits at 2,359 yards. His previous best mark was 2,092 in the 2019 season. Sampson is up to 226 completions on 348 attempts (.649%), including 17 touchdowns thrown.

Not One, But Two | Darius Joiner has officially moved his way up to stand as a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) leader in two individual categories -- total tackles (100) and solo tackles (62). Averaging 12.5 pull-downs a game, the standout safety has recorded double-digit numbers in six of the eight games this season, more than any other Leatherneck. Joiner was named FCS Stats Perform National Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 27 and MVFC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 26.

A Brief History | A pretty even all-time series, WIU currently leads with a 51-49-3 clip. This past spring season, Illinois State won a home matchup over the Leathernecks, 26-18. The Redbirds have won 10 of the last 11 meetings.

Consecutive and Consistent | Adam Fellner has the most consecutive starts of any Leatherneck -- currently sitting at 37. The team's primary punter, he has made 48 attempts this season for 1,871 yards. His longest kick of 57 yards has occurred on two separate occasions. 

Still at the Top | Along with Joiner (total tackles and solo tackles), Dennis Houston, Connor Sampson, and Michael Lawson all continue to lead the MVFC in multiple categories:
 

- Connor Sampson: 1st in completions per game (28.25) and passing yards (2,359)

- Dennis Houston: 1st in receiving yards (819), receiving yards per game (102.4), and receptions per game (8.8)

- Michael Lawson: 1st in forced fumbles (4) and interceptions per game (0.5)