Who | Western Illinois (2-7, 2-4) vs. South Dakota (5-3, 3-2)

When | Saturday, Nov. 6 -- 12 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

• The home finale for Western Illinois football takes place this weekend as the Leathernecks prepare for a noteworthy Saturday test against South Dakota.

• 'Senior Day' will take place on Saturday, with the program honoring 24 individuals.

• Western is coming off of its first home victory of the season -- a 38-31 decision over in-state rival Illinois State.

• In the Illinois State win, Connor Sampson became the new program holder in single-season pass completions, moving past Paul Singer's 239-mark set in 1987. Sampson ended the evening with 27 completions on 39 attempts for 298 passing yards. He currently sits at 253 completions this year.

• Per the most recent FCS Stats Perform rankings (Nov. 1), South Dakota stands 23rd nationally among FCS programs.

Most Recently … | A historic all-time series persisted in 'The Land of Lincoln' last Saturday (Oct. 30) between WIU and Illinois State (3-5, 1-4). Showing its typical grit in refusing to back down, WIU came from behind and secured a 38-31 victory.

After receiving on kickoff, ISU scored less than a minute into the contest on a 45-yard run. However, the Leathernecks were able to gain ground as Mason Laramie put WIU in the scoring column with a 20-yard field goal at the 8:35 mark. Minutes later, Laramie added another kick from 42 yards out to have Western narrowly trailing, 7-6. Defense was composed of the final six and a half minutes.

Similar to the first, ISU scored another rushing touchdown less than a minute into the second period. A recovery on a kickoff led to another quick touchdown, and the Redbirds stretched their lead to 21-6. Hunter Mason and Darius Joiner led a focused Leatherneck defense to keep ISU from plugging any further points before Tony Tate scored WIU's first receiving touchdown less than 40 seconds remaining before halftime.

After blocking a field goal attempt in the third, ISU compiled a 10-play drive on its way to scoring seven more, going up 28-13. Things then began to go the course of the Leathernecks, with Jack Whyte first ringing in a 20-yard touchdown catch. Joiner forced a fumble for fellow defensive standout Michael Lawson to collect during the Redbirds' ensuing drive, who ran it in for 41 yards. A beautiful find from Sampson to Dennis Houston evened the score at 28-28, capping off a significant swing of momentum from Western in the quarter.

Houston dove into the endzone for WIU's first lead of the evening -- at the fourth period's 10:31 mark. ISU sent in a field goal to stay close, but solid play from Western's receivers kept the passing attack sharp, and Laramie nailed a third field goal to up the advantage, 38-31. ISU tried once more on a final drive but could not make anything happen, as JJ Ross recovered a loose ball, victoriously ending the night.

Thank You, Fellas | A total of 23 seniors will play his final game on Hanson Field this Saturday during 'Senior Day':

Terin Adams

Aaron Adu

Brandon Arnold

Daniel Bender

Damien Crumitie

Tim Dolan

Adam Fellner

Jordan Haven

Dennis Houston

Draysean Hudson

Dejohn Jones

Michael Lawson

Dallas Martin

Matt Mattingly

Jalen Powe

Eryk Preston

Connor Sampson

Nakota Shepard-Creer

Mason Sikes

Shawntrez Spates

Tony Tate

Will Waddell

Myles Wanza

Nearing New Marks | Connor Sampson needs only four more completions to be second in the program's all-time list for career completions. He currently has thrown for 674 completions during his Leatherneck tenure. Sean McGuire, a 2018 alum, ranks first on the list with 771 completions. 

One of Sampson's primary targets, Dennis Houston, only needs nine more receptions to break WIU's single-season record -- currently resting at 76 catches. The standout senior has recorded three showings of 11 or more receptions. Additionally, this 2021 group is on pace to hold the best season passing offense in program history, currently averaging 305 yards per game.

Still Best in the FCS | Opening up November, FCS individual rankings see a pair of Leathernecks sitting at the top of two categories:

- Dennis Houston: 1st in receptions per game (8.4)

- Darius Joiner: 1st in solo tackles (64)

A Brief History | While the all-time series began in 1976, Western and South Dakota have only met up ten times, as the Leathernecks hold a 6-4 advantage. The most recent meeting occurred on Nov. 2, 2019, when WIU won at home, 38-34.