Courtesy of Western Illinois Athletics
MACOMB, Ill. – A season-opening game at Hanson Field, one of six home games in all, and a game at Big 10 Conference member Purdue highlight the 2010 Western Illinois Football schedule. Dr. Tim Van Alstine, Assistant Vice President for Student Services/Director of Athletics, made the announcement Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 12).
Kickoff times and ticket prices will be announced at a later date.
The Fighting Leathernecks open the season at home on Thursday, September 2nd, against Pioneer Football Conference member Valparaiso, the first-ever meeting against the Crusaders. On Saturday, September 11th, Western travels to Purdue for the first-time meeting against the Boilermakers. The following Saturday (Sept. 18), the Leathernecks play host to Sam Houston State. Last year Western won a thrilling 35-28 decision in Huntsville, Texas.
Missouri Valley Football Conference play begins at Hanson Field on September 25th against Indiana State. The game will be part of Homecoming 2010 festivities.
Western Illinois will make consecutive road trips over the next two weekends, October 2nd at North Dakota State and the 9th at South Dakota State.
The Leathernecks return home on October 16th to face Youngstown State for Family Weekend. After a road game at Missouri State (Oct. 23), Western returns home to battle Illinois State (Oct. 30).
A bye week (Nov. 6) precedes a road game at Southern Illinois (Nov. 13) before closing out the regular season at Hanson Field against Northern Iowa (Nov. 20). The first round of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs begin on November 27th.
2010 Western Illinois Football Schedule
Date Opponent Location
Sept. 2 VALPARAISO HANSON FIELD
Sept. 11 at Purdue West Lafayette, IN
Sept. 18 SAM HOUSTON STATE HANSON FIELD
Sept. 25 *INDIANA STATE (HC) HANSON FIELD
Oct. 2 * at North Dakota State Fargo, N.D.
Oct. 9 *at South Dakota State Brookings, S.D.
Oct. 16 *YOUNGSTOWN STATE (FW) HANSON FIELD
Oct. 23 *at Missouri State Springfield, MO
Oct. 30 *ILLINOIS STATE HANSON FIELD
Nov. 6 OPEN
Nov. 13 *at Southern Illinois Carbondale, IL
Nov. 20 *NORTHERN IOWA HANSON FIELD