Who | Western Illinois (2-7, 1-4) vs. Lindenwood (4-5, 3-2)
When | Saturday, November 8, 1:00 P.M.
Where | Hanson Field, Macomb, IL  

Western Illinois Hosts Lindenwood
After the bye week, Western Illinois football is back in action this Saturday as the Leathernecks host Lindenwood at Hanson Field. The matchup marks the start of a crucial late-season stretch for WIU, as the team looks to finish the season on a high note.

The bye gave the Leathernecks a chance to regroup, recover from injuries, and fine-tune both sides of the ball. Western will look to establish consistency offensively while leaning on a defense that has shown flashes of strong play throughout the season.

Last Game – Tennessee State Recap
The Leathernecks secured a 17-16 road win over Tennessee State on Saturday afternoon at Nissan Stadium, earning their second victory of the season and first in conference play.

The Leathernecks' defense set the tone early, as Malini Ti'a jumped a route late in the first quarter and returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown to give WIU a 7-3 lead. After the Tigers briefly regained the advantage in the second quarter, Cason Carswell connected with Demari Davis on a 40-yard touchdown strike to push Western Illinois back in front, 14-10.

Tennessee State added a pair of field goals to take a 16-14 edge into the third, but Antonio Chadha drilled a 51-yard field goal late in the period to cap the scoring and secure the win for the Leathernecks. 

Defensively, WIU delivered one of its best efforts of the season, tallying five sacks and two interceptions while holding the Tigers to just 16 points. Kevin Washington Jr. led the charge with eight tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks, while Christian Pierce matched his tackle total with eight tackles and four tackles for loss. Don Paul Keith also added an interception of his own in the 4th quarter to help seal the game for the Leathernecks. 

Jalen Riven, Joe Edwards, and Buju Aumua-Tuisavura each added a sack as Western Illinois finished with 14 tackles for loss.

Offensively, Carswell threw for 133 yards and one touchdown, completing passes to six different receivers. Markell Holman paced the ground game with 50 yards on 13 carries.

Players to Watch
Freshman quarterback Cason Carswell continues to draw attention across the OVC–Big South for his poise and precision in the pocket. Despite a quieter outing last week, Carswell has thrown for more than 1,300 yards this season and remains the catalyst of the Leatherneck offense. His chemistry with wide receiver Demari Davis has been one of the Leathernecks' most reliable weapons, as Davis is tied with fellow receiver Christian Anaya for the team lead in receiving yards. After a game that didn't reflect the Leathernecks typical offensive rhythm, the duo will look to help the team get back on track through the air. On the defensive side, Kevin Washington Jr. and Christian Pierce continue to set the tone with their tackling and leadership, ranking among the team's top defenders. Their ability to contain Lindenwood's versatile offense and limit chunk plays will be pivotal as the Leathernecks aim to deliver a complete performance on both sides of the ball.

Scouting Lindenwood
The Lindenwood Lions head into this week riding some momentum after a commanding 35‑13 road win over the Tennessee State Tigers. That victory improved their record to 4‑5 overall and 3‑2 in OVC–Big South play.

The Lions' win was powered by a dominant ground game: Jared Rhodes rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns, and Steve Hall added 100 yards and two scores. On the defensive side, Lindenwood held Tennessee State to just 36 rushing yards and forced multiple negative plays, including eight tackles for loss and four sacks.

The Lindenwood Lions are a team that has had an up-and-down season up until this point, but they are looking to make a late-season push in the conference. Lindenwood is a team that cannot be underestimated, and the Leathernecks will need to bring their best effort to stay in control.

Keys to the Game

• Control the Line of Scrimmage on Both Sides – Limit Lindenwood's rushing attack by stacking the box and maintaining gap discipline, while ensuring the Leathernecks own running game can sustain drives and keep the clock moving.

• Disrupt Quarterback Nate Glantz – Pressure Lindenwood's quarterback to force hurried throws and reduce the effectiveness of their passing game. Containing Glantz and forcing him into turnovers will be crucial for the Leathernecks success. 

• Exploit Defensive Vulnerabilities – Take advantage of the Lions' tendency to allow big plays and points through both the air and the ground. Efficient third-down conversions and sustained drives could create scoring opportunities and keep Lindenwood's offense off the field.

What's at Stake
The Leathernecks are looking to string together back-to-back wins for the first time this year, proving they can compete and execute consistently on both sides of the ball. It's also an opportunity for the team's leaders to set the tone and for players to carry confidence into the final games of the season. A victory over Lindenwood would provide a much-needed boost for the roster and fans alike as the Leathernecks aim to close out the year on a high note.

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