West Central Reporter

The Western Illinois University (WIU) football team is set to face off against Eastern Illinois University (EIU) this Saturday, November 2, at O'Brien Field in Charleston, Illinois. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. kickoff.

This matchup marks one of WIU's longest-standing rivalries, with the teams first meeting in 1930. WIU currently holds a record of 3-5 overall and 2-2 in conference play, while EIU stands at 1-7 overall and winless in conference games.

In their previous outing, WIU experienced a high-scoring game but fell short against Lindenwood with a score of 49-38. Quarterback Nathan Lamb set program records for passing yards and completions during the game. "Quarterback Nathan Lamb was named Big South-OVC Offensive Player of the Week last week," as noted by the Leathernecks' report.

On the other hand, EIU faced UT Martin and lost with a score of 52-17 after leading initially. The Panthers have struggled throughout the season, having lost six consecutive games.

Looking ahead, WIU will host Tennessee State on November 9 after this weekend's game, while EIU will travel to Gardner-Webb for their next matchup.

Western Illinois has shown strength through its offensive lineup led by quarterback Nathan Lamb who has accumulated impressive statistics this season including 1,954 passing yards and twelve touchdowns. Meanwhile, Eastern Illinois relies on quarterback Pierce Holley who has thrown for over two thousand yards but also has ten interceptions to his name.

Historically speaking, WIU leads the series against EIU with an all-time record of 42 wins to Eastern's 21 victories and four ties. The Leathernecks have won five straight meetings since their last encounter in 2016; however, they haven't played each other since then due to scheduling changes.

Fans can follow the game live through various media channels including streaming services and social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.