West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University’s football team will return to play after a bye week, hosting Lindenwood at Hanson Field in Macomb, Illinois, on Saturday, November 8. The Leathernecks, holding a 2-7 overall record and 1-4 in conference play, aim to build momentum in the final stretch of their season.

The break provided Western Illinois with an opportunity to recover from injuries and make adjustments. Head coach and staff are focusing on establishing offensive consistency while relying on a defense that has shown improvement during the season.

In their most recent game, Western Illinois secured a narrow 17-16 win over Tennessee State at Nissan Stadium. The victory marked their second win of the year and first within the conference. Defensive back Malini Ti'a scored early with a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown. Quarterback Cason Carswell connected with receiver Demari Davis for a 40-yard touchdown pass later in the game. Kicker Antonio Chadha made a decisive 51-yard field goal late in the third quarter.

The Leathernecks’ defense recorded five sacks and two interceptions against Tennessee State, limiting them to just 16 points. Kevin Washington Jr. led defensively with eight tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. Christian Pierce also contributed eight tackles and four tackles for loss. Don Paul Keith added an interception late in the game.

On offense, Carswell threw for 133 yards and one touchdown, distributing passes among six receivers. Markell Holman led rushing efforts with 50 yards on 13 carries.

Freshman quarterback Cason Carswell remains central to the Leatherneck offense this season, having surpassed 1,300 passing yards so far. His partnership with wide receiver Demari Davis has been key; both Davis and Christian Anaya share the team lead in receiving yards. Defensively, Washington Jr. and Pierce continue to stand out as top tacklers.

Lindenwood arrives after defeating Tennessee State 35‑13 last week, improving their record to 4‑5 overall and 3‑2 in OVC–Big South competition. Running backs Jared Rhodes and Steve Hall combined for over 200 rushing yards and four touchdowns against Tennessee State. Lindenwood’s defense held their opponent to just 36 rushing yards while accumulating eight tackles for loss and four sacks.

Both teams are looking to finish strong as the season nears its end. For Western Illinois, achieving consecutive wins would demonstrate progress under current leadership and boost morale heading into future games.

“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,” according to university officials.

Fans can follow updates on Leatherneck Football at GoLeathernecks.com or through social media channels including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.