MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois Football opens the 2026 season under the lights on Thursday, August 27, as the Leathernecks welcome Northwestern College to Hanson Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The matchup marks the first meeting between the two programs. Northwestern enters the contest after another successful season in the NAIA and will look to continue a stretch that has included multiple playoff appearances and a national championship in 2022.
Western Illinois enters the season with experience across all three phases, highlighted by 11 selections to the 2026 Phil Steele Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Teams.
The Leathernecks were led by five First Team selections, including sophomore quarterback Cason Carswell, wide receiver Christian Anaya, offensive lineman James Durand, defensive back DonPaul Keith and punter Luke Droegemueller.
Carswell returns after earning OVC Freshman of the Year honors in 2025. He closed his rookie campaign with a strong performance in Western Illinois' season-ending victory at Gardner-Webb, completing 18-of-31 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a score.
Western Illinois finished the 2025 season with a 29-24 road victory over Gardner-Webb. The Leathernecks totaled 336 yards of offense and controlled possession for more than 34 minutes in the win.
Carswell connected with nine different receivers in the contest, while the Leatherneck defense recorded five sacks and forced two turnovers to secure the victory.
Along with its five First Team selections, Western Illinois placed three players on the Phil Steele Second Team. Senior tight end David Hargro, linebacker Justin Buckner and long snapper Ben Bergfeld earned recognition.
Running back Ihson Jackson-Anderson, defensive lineman Keshawn Harrington-McKinney and linebacker Nick Reinicke rounded out the Leatherneck honorees with Third Team selections.
Scouting Northwestern
Northwestern enters the 2026 season with an experienced roster on both sides of the ball.
Junior quarterback Colby Duncan returns after leading the Raiders in passing yards, passing touchdowns and rushing yards last season. Duncan threw for 1,789 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 529 yards on the ground, giving Northwestern a dual-threat option under center.
The Raiders also return linebacker Jackson Smythe, who led the team with 72 tackles last season, along with senior defensive back Kylar Fritz, a 2025 Second Team All-American. Fritz led Northwestern with eight pass breakups and made several key plays throughout the Raiders' 2025 campaign.
Northwestern's defense was among the top units in the NAIA last season, allowing just 12.6 points per game. The Raiders return 15 players from their final defensive two-deep despite the departure of 2025 GPAC Defensive Player of the Year Trystin Voss.
The Raiders are led by head coach Matt McCarty, who enters his 11th season leading the program and sits four victories away from 100 career wins. McCarty has guided Northwestern to eight NAIA playoff appearances, three national championship appearances and the program's 2022 national championship.
Northwestern has experience against NCAA Division I opponents, earning a 27-24 overtime victory over Drake in 2023.
Thursday's contest will mark Northwestern's second game against an NCAA Division I FCS opponent in the last four seasons and its first-ever meeting with Western Illinois.
First Look
Western Illinois and Northwestern will meet for the first time in program history as both teams open their 2026 campaigns under the lights at Hanson Field.
The Leathernecks will look to build off their strong finish to the 2025 season while returning several key contributors, including Carswell and a group of 11 preseason All-OVC selections.
Kickoff between Western Illinois and Northwestern is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, at Hanson Field in Macomb.
Promotions
It's McDonough School District Night; the first 250 students will receive a book bag. Students of the McDonough County School District 12 and under are free admission.
There will also be an all-student tailgate sponsored by Fraternity and Sorority Life from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. before kick-off. There will be a live DJ, free food, and the first 100 students will receive a special giveaway.
