MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois University football team hits the road for the second straight week, heading to Bloomington, Indiana to take on the Hoosiers.
The game will be played under the Friday Night Lights, kicking off at 6 p.m. and be televised on the Big Ten Network.
The Leathernecks (0-1) are coming off a 54-15 Week 1 loss to Northern Illinois while Indiana (1-0) won its season opener, topping Florida International, 31-7.
WHO | Western Illinois (0-1) at Indiana (1-0)
WHEN | Friday, September 6, 2024, 6 p.m.
WHERE | Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
FOLLOW ALONG | TV: Big Ten Network; Radio; Stream - the game is available via the Fox Sports App; Live Stats
SOCIAL MEDIA | X; Facebook; Instagram
ABOUT THE LEATHERNECKS | The Leathernecks fell 54-15 last week to Northern Illinois…Quarterback Nathan Lamb, getting his first WIU start, went 17-29 for 204 yards and one touchdown … Cameren Smith carried the ball 14 times for 51 … Tristin Duncan led the wide receiver crew with five catches for 68 yards while Eli Arago and Christian Anaya each added three catches each … Defensively, Willie Jones led the way with 13 tackles while Ryan Crandall added six stops … Braylen Brooks added four tackles and a fumble recovery … Punter Jared Campbell had six punts with a 37-yard average and a long of 45 … Kicker Antonio Chadha went 2-3 on field goals, making kicks of 46 and 44 yards.
ABOUT THE HOOSIERS | Quarterback Kurtis Rourke went 15-24 passing for 180 yards and a touchdown … Indiana had a trio of backs rush for 68 yards or more last week. Elijah Green led the way with 82 yards while Ty Son Lawton had 74. Justice Ellison added 68 yards … Lawton rushed for a pair of touchdowns … Myles Price led the way with four receptions while Omar Cooper had three catches for a team-high 45 yards … Aidan Foster led the team with 12 tackles … Indiana had eight tackles for -33 yards last week.
LAST WEEK | Western Illinois opened the season last week, falling at Northern Illinois, 54-15. The Leathernecks trailed 6-3 after the first period before NIU broke open the game with a 28-0 advantage in the second quarter.
HISTORY | This is the first all-time meeting between the two programs. Western Illinois has never defeated a Big 10 program. Its last win over an FBS program was a 52-10 win over Coastal Carolina on Sept. 23, 2017.
EXTRA NOTES | Antonio Chadha's two field goals were the most by a Western Illinois kicker since Owen Valek made a pair against Lindenwood last season … Mayo Bola's blocked extra point and return for a score by Fredrik Greenhoward was the fourth time in Leatherneck history the football program has accomplished the feat. The last time it occurred was November 8, 2014, when Kevin Kintzel recorded the block and Martinez Davis had the return … Bola's blocked extra point was the first by a Leatherneck since Brian Bruce's block last season vs. Southern Utah … … Western Illinois' offense did not commit a turnover, the first time for the Leathernecks since the game vs. Lindenwood last season ... Willie Jones' 13 tackles last weekend at Northern Illinois were a new career high for the defensive back.
AROUND THE BIG SOUTH-OVC | Teams around the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association went 1-8 last week with Tennessee State getting the only win. Tennessee State quarterback Draylen Ellis was the league's Offensive Player of the Week while Charleston Southern's Steve Zayachkowsky was the Defensive Player of the Week. James Lowery (Special Teams, Tennessee State) and Spencer Ashby (Tennessee Tech, Freshmen of the Week) earned conference honors.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES | For the Leathernecks, Nathan Lamb (quarterback), Torrance Farmer Jr. (running back), Demari Davis (wide receiver), Brandon Lanier (tight end), Isaiah Foote (offensive line), Tre Henry (defensive line), Juan DelaCruz (linebacker), Willie Jones (defensive back), Christiaan Masucci (placekicker) and Jared Campbell (punter) were named Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association Players to Watch … Western Illinois football team also was recognized by Phil Steele/Draftscout.com with five players named to the 2024 Phil Steele/Draftscout.com Preseason All-Big South-OVC Team. The Leathernecks had a pair of linebackers named second team as Juan DelaCruz and Ryan Crandall were honored. Western Illinois also had a trio of players named third team as wide receiver Demari Davis, offensive lineman Isaiah Foote, and cornerback Willie Jones were listed.
WHAT'S NEXT | Western Illinois remains on the road but returns to the Land of Lincoln on Saturday, heading to former in-state and Missouri Valley Football Conference rival, Illinois State.
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