Who | Western Illinois (1-7, 0-4) vs. Tennessee State (2-5, 0-3)
When | Saturday, October 25, 1:30 P.M.
Where | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN  

Western Illinois Travels to Tennessee State
Western Illinois heads back to Nashville to play in Nissan Stadium against Tennessee State in an OVC–Big South matchup. The Leathernecks will look to get back on track and carry over the offensive rhythm they've shown in recent weeks behind freshman quarterback Cason Carswell, while the defense aims to continue building consistency after forcing key stops and creating pressure up front in last week's contest. The Tigers are coming off a convincing 24–7 victory over Howard Bison, while the Leathernecks are looking to get back on track after falling short last week against Charleston Southern.

Last Week – Charleston Southern Recap

Western Illinois football came up just short in a hard-fought contest on Saturday afternoon, falling 29-24 to Charleston Southern at Hanson Field.

The Leathernecks (1-7, 0-4 OVC) led for much of the game behind another strong performance from quarterback Cason Carswell, who completed 34 of 51 passes for 375 yards and two touchdowns. Western's offense totaled 463 yards and controlled possession for nearly 35 minutes, showing consistency through the air and on the ground.

Christian Anaya hauled in six receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown, while Alex Williams added a score among his four catches. Markell Holman paced the rushing attack with 71 yards and a one-yard touchdown, adding 10 receptions for 84 yards as a dual-threat option.

Antonio Chadha connected on a 41-yard field goal and converted all three of his extra-point attempts. Defensively, Buju Aumua-Tuisavura and Justin Buckner each recorded six tackles, while Buckner and Aa'zoriyon Bonner combined for a pair of sacks.

Players to Watch
Freshman quarterback Cason Carswell continues to command attention across the OVC–Big South with his steady poise and accuracy through the air. Over his last three starts, Carswell has thrown for more than 900 yards and seven touchdowns, emerging as the centerpiece of the Leatherneck offense. His connection with wide receiver Demari Davis has become one of Western Illinois' most consistent offensive weapons, as Davis ranks among the league leaders in receiving yards and continues to produce explosive plays each week. On defense, Kevin Washington Jr. and Christian Pierce anchor a unit that has shown improved physicality and discipline, both ranking near the top of the team in tackles. Their ability to contain Tennessee State's dual-threat quarterback and disrupt drives will be crucial to Western's success on Saturday.

Scouting Tennessee State
Tennessee State enters this week's matchup coming off a 24–7 win over Howard, where the Tigers dominated on both sides of the ball and snapped a five-game skid. Quarterback Byron McNair led the offense with an efficient outing, completing 18 of 22 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. The Tigers spread the ball around effectively, with three different receivers finding the end zone, while their defense put together one of its best performances of the season—holding Howard to just 183 total yards, including only 67 on the ground. Linebacker Micah Gay stood out with 11 tackles and two interceptions, helping set the tone for a physical unit that thrives on creating turnovers and controlling the line of scrimmage. Tennessee State's balanced approach and improved defensive play will present a challenge for Western Illinois, who will look to maintain their offensive rhythm and protect the football against a confident Tigers squad riding momentum into conference play.

Keys to the Game

• Establish Offensive Balance: Continue mixing the run and pass to keep Tennessee State's defense off balance and open up opportunities downfield for big plays.

• Protect the Football: Avoid turnovers against a Tigers defense that thrives on takeaways and capitalize on each scoring opportunity.

• Limit Explosive Plays: Contain Tennessee State's athletic receivers and mobile quarterback to prevent momentum-shifting gains through the air or on the ground.

What's at Stake
Western Illinois looks to bounce back and secure its first conference win of the season as it travels to Nashville. A victory over Tennessee State would not only halt the Leathernecks' recent skid but also provide valuable momentum heading into the bye week. With several young players continuing to make strides on both sides of the ball, a strong showing on the road could reinforce the team's growth and confidence heading into the final stretch of OVC–Big South play.

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