Who | Western Illinois (0-3, 0-0) at Youngstown State (1-1, 0-0)
When | Saturday, Sept. 25 - 5 p.m. CT
Where | Youngstown, Ohio (Stambaugh 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

• Conference play begins for Western Illinois football this week, as the Leathernecks visit Youngstown State on Saturday (Sept. 25) for its first Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) contest of the season

• WIU held its home opener this past weekend (Sept. 18) -- facing nationally-ranked #6 Eastern Washington in a scoring battle that ended in a 62-56 setback

• YSU leads the all-time series, 20-14. WIU won the last meeting in its home finale this past spring, 27-24. Fans may recall Tony Tate's 95-yard kick return, tied for ninth-longest in program history, that occurred during that particular outing

• YSU is 1-1 on the year, coming off of a bye week. The Penguins won their season opener at home over Incarnate Word, 44-41.

The Last Outing | In the home opener versus Eastern Washington, a significant chunk of the scoring arrived in the game's opening quarter. EWU struck first on a five-yard reception, and a successful extra pick put them ahead, 7-0. During WIU's first drive of the afternoon, Dennis Houston sprinted to the end zone on a 53-yard rush. After EWU scored on another trip, Ludovick Choquette helped finish a strong Leatherneck drive with a one-yard run. The Eagles went up 21-14 with a 33-yard catch. Dallas Daniels helped Western pick up some substantial yards, and Tony Tate completed the deed as fans watched him sky-high over an EWU defender to make it a third tie in the quarter. As the clock ticked down, however, EWU was able to put seven more points on the board, going up 28-21.

Early in the second, EWU increased its lead to 35-21 on a three-play, 88-yard boost. A few minutes later, the team went up 41-21 and posted two more touchdowns before halftime.

Houston and Choquette picked up their second touchdowns in the first portion of the third quarter. EWU went for a 73-yard run on a single-play drive, and the score sat at 62-35 at the end of three, with the Eagles still in front. 

Connor Sampson continued his efficient passing with a 6-yard find to Daniel Bender for a WIU touchdown in the opening moments of the fourth quarter. Choquette soon followed up on a 1-rush to cut the deficit to 62-49. Near the two-minute mark, a Sampson-Houston connection occurred on an 8-yard reception to make one last final cut into the lead, 62-56, as EWU held on to stop any final comeback attempts.

Through the Records | Saturday's offensive shootout involved several notable feats set by Western:

• A combined final score of 118 points was the most ever in a WIU game.

• Western's 56 points were the most scored by the Leathernecks since plugging in 49 versus Missouri State in 2017.

• WIU's 21 first-quarter points were the most it has scored all year long.

• Garret Steffen was the first Leatherneck to block an extra PAT kick since Quentin Moore did at Northern Arizona in 2017.

• It was the first time WIU had produced over 600 yards of total offense (ending with 643) since totaling 629 vs. Illinois State in 2010.

• The evening ended as the first time Western tacked 80 or more plays (finishing with 80) since last spring versus Northern Iowa.

National Leader | As of today (Sept. 21), per NCAA Football Subdivision Championship (FCS) rankings, Dennis Houston currently leads the nation in receiving yards (455). Additionally, he stands second in receiving yards per game (151.7) and receptions per game (9.3). 

Again, That's My QB | Connor Sampson had a career day in the team's home opener -- reaching new career-highs in passing yards (425) and touchdown passes (four). His performance in passing yards currently ranks as fifth-best in the program's single-game records. He also finished Saturday evening with a 67.4 completion percentage (31-46) and one interception. Sampson was subsequently named MVFC Offensive Player of the Week this past Sunday (Sept. 19) for the admirable effort. It was the second career honor for the senior.

Instant Impact | One of the team's newcomers, Darius Joiner, has stood out as a major defensive threat this fall. In the first three games, he has made 35 tackles (18 solo) -- a mark that stands second-best in the conference and 17th nationally.

Valley Rankings | As a team, Western has reached the top of the MVFC in passing offense (315.7 yards per game) and passing yards (947) while sitting at second in completion percentage (68.6 %). Four Leathernecks are conference leaders in multiple categories:

• Connor Sampson -- total offense, passing yards, and pass completions.

• Dennis Houston -- all-purpose yards, receptions, receiving yards, receptions per game, and receiving touchdowns.

• Michael Lawson -- tackles and forced fumbles.

• Adam Fellner -- total punts and yards punted.