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Scott Holland

Leathernecks host Redbirds in Home Opener

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Western Illinois faces rival in MVFC play for last time

MACOMB – The Western Illinois University football team opens the home portion of the 2023 schedule on Saturday afternoon, hosting Illinois State in a 3 p.m. kickoff. The Redbirds come in at 1-0 while the Leathernecks are 0-1.
 
WHO | Illinois State (1-0, 0-0) at Western Illinois (0-1, 0-0)
WHEN | Saturday, September 9, 3 p.m.
WHEN | Hanson Field, Macomb, Illinois
FOLLOW ALONG | Stats: https://bit.ly/45KIpSn Stream: https://bit.ly/3Rbi6jL ; Radio: http://q981fm.com/
 
LAST WEEK | Western Illinois was able to hang around with New Mexico State, trailing 20-14 at the half, but after the break it was all Aggies as NMSU went on to win the game, 58-21.
The Redbirds had a fast start and rolled past Dayton, winning 41-0. The Redbirds led 21-0 after a quarter and coasted the rest of the way.

PLAYERS TO WATCH | Western Illinois: Quarterback Matt Morrissey had a strong debut for the Leathernecks, throwing for 248 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Most importantly, Morrissey and the Leatherneck offense took care of the football, not committing a turnover.

Donald McKinney had a WIU-career high four receptions and 52 yards while also hauling in his first Western Illinois touchdown. Ludovick Choquette did a little bit of everything, carrying the ball 11 times for 37 yards and a touchdown, while also hauling in a 20-yard pass. Seth Glatz added three catches for a team-high 73 yards.

Defensively, Bradyn Smith led the way, registering a career-high 13 tackles, seven solo. KJ Coleman had a solid debut for Western Illinois, adding six tackles, one being for a loss. Garret Steffen added five tackles, 1.5 for a loss for -9 yards.

Illinois State: Quarterback Zack Annexstad was impressive in his season debut, going 23-30 for 255 yards and a touchdown.

Daniel Sobkowicz and Eddie Kasper each had six receptions (90 yards, 73 yards, respectively), while Jalen Carr had five catches for 40 yards.

In the running game, ISU spread the carries around, grinding out 193 yards on 24 totes.

Mason Blakemore had four attempts for 75 yards, including a 71-yard scoring jaunt, while Wenkers Wright added a 48-yard touchdown run to go along with his four carries and 59 yards. Cole Mueller received the most carries, getting five opportunities for 29 yards.

Defensively, Tye Niekamp had nine tackles, including a pair of tackles for loss. Amir Abdullah added eight tackles while Lavoise-Deontae McCoy had seven tackles. The Redbirds had 10 tackles for loss, including three sacks.

BUSY SATURDAY | Western Illinois is celebrating Senior Day on Saturday and will honor 20 players before the start of Saturday's contest. The game is also part of the Western Illinois Mega Reunion Weekend, an event welcoming the return of several alumni to campus.

HISTORY | Western Illinois leads the all-time series between the two schools, 52-50-3. The Redbirds have had the advantage recently, though, winning 11 of the last 13, including last season's 20-13 overtime victory in Normal. Western Illinois won the last matchup between the two schools in Macomb, triumphing 38-31 on October 30, 2021. The game is the last time the two schools will meet as Missouri Valley Football Conference rivals as Western Illinois moves to the Ohio Valley Conference next season.

WHAT'S NEXT | Western Illinois is back on Hanson Field next Saturday, hosting future OVC rival Lindenwood at 6 p.m. The game is part of the campus Family Day festivities and is also a reunion for the 90s Era Football Programs.
 
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