Who | Western Illinois (1-4, 1-1) at Indiana State (2-3, 0-2)

When | Saturday, Oct. 9 (12 p.m. CT)

Where | Terre Haute, Ind. (Memorial Stadium)

Radio | Q 98.1 and Leatherneck Sports Network (Mixlr) - Dr. Tom Cody and Randy Larson

TV | ESPN +

Social Media | Twitter + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH
 

Quick Hits

• Week six of the 2021 fall season takes Western Illinois back to its neighboring state, Indiana, for a Saturday (Oct. 9) 12 p.m. meeting at Indiana State.

• The weekend contest will be WIU's third Missouri Valley Football Conference test of the year, as the Leathernecks split their first two matchups.

• Indiana State is seeking its first win in conference play.

• In its most recent contest, facing Southern Illinois (Oct. 2), the WIU team defense registered five or more sacks (ending with 5.0) for the first time since playing at South Dakota in 2018.

The Last Outing | This past weekend against Southern Illinois, WIU once again displayed its 'never quit' effort to climb back from a deficit admirably. In addition, the team's extended play past the fourth quarter for the first time this fall. Nonetheless, the visiting Salukis needed just enough to escape with a 31-30 victory.

After a 49-minute weather delay, both teams were back on the field for an SIU kickoff. After Western threw an interception early in the first, Southern Illinois took over at the WIU28 and completed a 32-yard receiving touchdown on a three-play drive. A quarterback rush boosted the Salukis' lead to 14-0 with just under four minutes in the quarter.

Three minutes into the second period, SIU used a short run to go ahead 21-0. Dennis Houston helped the Leathernecks pick up some receiving yards before the team started to settle into a groove. Mason Laramie first booted home a 50-yard field goal, and Jalen Powe immediately made a pick-six at the SIU29 to cut down SIU's lead, 21-10. Hard-nosed defense from both teams finished out the half's duration.

A defensive tempo continued into the third quarter. Myles Wanza gave Western some beneficial rushing yards, but the Leathernecks' second giveaway of the day happened on a drive into Saluki territory. A 37-yard field goal from SIU soon put the team up, 24-10.

Wide receiver Tony Tate continued his untouchable passing game once the fourth quarter unfolded. The senior put Western in great range with a 33-yard toss to Michael McFarlane, and Dallas Daniels completed the deed with a 27-yard touchdown reception. After a couple of major defensive stops, WIU evened things at 24-24 on a Ludovick Choquette 12-yard catch from Connor Sampson. Blows continued to be traded on possessions, and SIU tried a 45-yard field goal with three seconds remaining but missed wide left as the game headed into overtime.

On its first play of the extra period, SIU scored a 25-yard throw. WIU had an immediate answer, with Wanza rushing 25 yards of his own into the end zone. Deciding to go for a two-point conversion, the Leatherneck offense was stopped on a tackle at the SIU03 to finish out the night.
 

We'll Take That | Western has recorded at least one or more takeaways in four of its five games this season. Four different leathernecks have forced a fumble, while fumble recoveries and interceptions have happened for three players each.

In the Southern Illinois matchup, Jalen Powe became one of two Leathernecks this season to make a pick-six -- his being a 29-yard interception return.
 

Nation's Best | One of WIU's top defensive threats, Michael Lawson, currently places number one in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in forced fumbles -- having tallied four total. In addition, the safety ranks first in the MVFC in interceptions (four) and third in total tackles (58).
 

(Still) At The Top of the Conference | One of the team's top targets, Dennis Houston, has maintained high play at the receiver spot, leading the MVFC in several categories:

• All-Purpose yards (673 yards)

• Receptions per game (8.2)

• Receiving yards per game (124.4)

• Total receptions (41)

• Reception yards (622)
  

A Brief History | The Leathernecks lead in the all-time series, holding a 26-17 advantage. However, Indiana State has won the last two meetings. Oct. 12, 2019, was the last time these two programs faced off.