The Western Illinois football team returns home this weekend, hosting North Dakota State in a 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon tilt at Hanson Field in Macomb. The Bison come in ranked No. 4 in the STATS and Coaches FCS Top 25 poll.
After dropping their top-two showdown with current No. 1 South Dakota State 23-21 on October 15, the Bison bounced back into the win column, topping Illinois State 24-7 in Fargo, North Dakota last weekend.
North Dakota State presents its usual stout, balanced style of play, getting things done on both sides of the ball. The Bison are currently tops in the MVFC in scoring offense, averaging 33 points per game while ranking second in the league defensively, allowing 16.9 points per contest.
NDSU is the No. 1 ranked rushing offense in the league, averaging 239.3 yards per game on the ground. The Bison average 155.4 yards passing per game, ranking 11th in the league.
Defensively, the Bison rank sixth against the run, allowing 146.9 yards per game while leading the league in pass defensive, giving up 136.5 yards per game.
Individually, NDSU relies on a balanced stable of backs as fullback Hunter Luepke leads the team with 69.5 yards per game, while running backs Kobe Johnson averages 44.2 and TaMerik Williams adds 37.5.
Quarterback Cam Miller is 104-149 passing this season with nine touchdowns and one interception. Miller has thrown for 1207 yards. The QB's favorite target is Zach Mathis, who has 20 catches for 298 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, linebacker James Kaczor leads the attack with 45 tackles.
The Leathernecks are 11th in the league in scoring offense (15.0 ppg) and defense (41.1 ppg.).
Wide receiver Naseim Brantley remains a bright spot for WIU, leading the MVFC in receiving yards (742), receiving yards per game (92.8) and receiving touchdowns (nine). His 40 receptions rank fifth in the league.
Defensively, T.J. Limehouse leads the Leathernecks, registering 68 tackles, fourth in The Valley.
The game is also Western Illinois Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day. After Saturday's contest, the Leathernecks have one remaining home game, next Saturday's game against Indiana State.
Original source can be found here.
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