Who | Western Illinois (3-8, 2-5) vs. Gardner-Webb (7-4, 5-2)
When | Saturday, November 22, 12:30 P.M.
Where | Spangler Stadium | Boiling Springs, NC 

Western Illinois Travels to Gardner-Webb
Western Illinois will close out its 2025 season on the road at Gardner-Webb. After finishing up at home, the Leathernecks hit the road for their final game, facing the Runnin' Bulldogs in what promises to be a hard-fought matchup.

Last year's finale saw WIU defeat Gardner-Webb 45-28 with standout drives from quarterback Nathan Lamb and a balanced offensive attack. The Leathernecks look to end the season on a high note once again.

Last Game – SEMO Recap
Western Illinois football dropped to 3-8 on Saturday afternoon in Macomb, IL, falling 22-17 to Southeast Missouri State at Hanson Field. The Leathernecks built a 17-10 halftime lead but were held scoreless after the break, as SEMO used an 80-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter and a fourth-quarter safety to swing momentum.

Western opened strong behind a 53-yard field goal from Antonio Chadha and a 12-yard touchdown pass from Cason Carswell to Markell Holman. Carswell later connected with Demari Davis on a 17-yard strike, giving the Leathernecks a 17-3 cushion before SEMO scored just before halftime.

Holman led Western with 118 rushing yards and added 70 receiving yards, while Davis posted 104 yards receiving. Carswell finished with 287 passing yards. Western outgained SEMO 398-372 and held a slight edge in time of possession.

Defensively, Christian Pierce recorded 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks, and Malini Ti'a added nine tackles. Western's defense generated pressure throughout the afternoon, totaling three sacks and six quarterback hurries, but SEMO's big-play touchdown and late field goal proved to be too much to overcome. 

Players to Watch

• Cason Carswell (QB): The freshman quarterback has been the engine of Western Illinois' offense this season. He has thrown for over 1,800 yards with 14 touchdowns and only a few interceptions. His ability to push the ball downfield and make plays under pressure makes him a key threat for Gardner-Webb to contain.

• Markell Holman (RB): Holman has been the go-to back for the Leathernecks, carrying the ball consistently and producing big gains. With over 900 rushing yards this season, he's proven to be a workhorse who can control the tempo of the game.

• Christian Pierce (LB): Pierce leads the team in both tackles and sacks, serving as the anchor of the defense. His physicality, leadership, and ability to read the offense make him central to slowing down Gardner-Webb's balanced attack.

Scouting Gardner-Webb
Gardner-Webb's 2025 season features a balanced offensive attack led by quarterback Nate Hampton, who has thrown for 1,245 yards, along with 10 touchdowns and just one interception. He's capable of making plays with his legs as well, making him a dual-threat quarterback that can challenge any defense. The Bulldogs' ground game is anchored by Quasean Holmes, who has rushed for 931 yards this season, giving Gardner-Webb a powerful and consistent running threat to complement their passing attack.

Overall, Gardner-Webb averages 227.5 passing yards and 187.5 rushing yards per game, highlighting a well-rounded offense that can shift gears depending on the defensive look. This balance makes them difficult to defend: if opponents focus on stopping the run, Hampton can exploit openings in the passing game; if they drop back to cover the pass, Holmes and the running game can dominate time of possession.

Defensively, Gardner-Webb has allowed an average of 29.8 points per game and 400.1 total yards, showing that while their defense can make plays, it has struggled at times to consistently contain opposing offenses.

Keys to the Game

• Limit the impact of Quasean Holmes by stacking the box and controlling the line of scrimmage to slow down Gardner-Webb's rushing attack.

• Apply consistent pressure on quarterback Nate Hampton to disrupt his passing rhythm and force potential turnovers.

• Win the field position battle and capitalize on scoring opportunities, taking advantage of Gardner-Webb's defense giving up 29.8 points and 400.1 yards per game.

What's at Stake
Western Illinois can match last year's win total with a victory at Gardner-Webb. It's a chance to end the season with a win on the road and provide seniors with a strong finish to their careers.

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