2026 Week 1 - WIU vs Illinois State

[sealhall74]

Every coach we have had in the last 10-15 years has said the same thing.  The key to winning on a consistent basis is having a reliable running game.  We just never seem to get there.  The highlight of the game for me was probably the "Tarps Off" show put on by the I assume opposing fanbase.
 
 
 
 

[meganeck]

Illinois State won 41-10

#5 Cason Carswell was 9 of 18 for 140 yards.  0 Touchdowns.  0 Interceptions

#17 Kennedy McGill was 14 of 22 for 123 yards.  0 Touchdowns.  1 Interception.

Western had 315 Total Yards:  263 Yards Passing.  52 Yards Rushing.

Attendance at Hanson Field = 2,716

 

Wasn't expecting a win, but was expecting a more competitive game. The attendance was disappointing, but weather probably hindered some people from attending. Unfortunately, last night's performance won't encourage people to come out and watch them play.
 

[Wiufan87]

Sat on West side seemed more than 2,700.  Thought we slowed their top back pretty well.  Soldiers down all over the place ankle injuries.  Went in new performing arts center pretty nice.  

[ST_Lawson]

Leatherneck rewind: Mistake-prone Western stumbles through loss to No. 4 Illinois State: https://prairiestatepigskin.com/2026/09 ... ois-state/
 

[rocki]

Leatherneck rewind: Mistake-prone Western stumbles through loss to No. 4 Illinois State: https://prairiestatepigskin.com/2026/09 ... ois-state/
 

 

I wasn't expecting a win, but I wasn't expecting the horrendous showing we put on with all the penalties. Did we really even give ourselves a chance to end up with a less lopsided score????????

[ST_Lawson]

Leatherneck rewind: Mistake-prone Western stumbles through loss to No. 4 Illinois State: https://prairiestatepigskin.com/2026/09 ... ois-state/

 

I wasn't expecting a win, but I wasn't expecting the horrendous showing we put on with all the penalties. Did we really even give ourselves a chance to end up with a less lopsided score????????

Remove most of the penalties and it would have been a much closer and more "reasonable" game. Probably still wouldn't have gotten the win, but wouldn't have been as much of an embarrassment. Seemed like a major lack of discipline, both in the penalties and some of the non-penalized actions of our players.

[sealhall74]

Leatherneck rewind: Mistake-prone Western stumbles through loss to No. 4 Illinois State: https://prairiestatepigskin.com/2026/09 ... ois-state/


 

I wasn't expecting a win, but I wasn't expecting the horrendous showing we put on with all the penalties. Did we really even give ourselves a chance to end up with a less lopsided score????????

Remove most of the penalties and it would have been a much closer and more "reasonable" game. Probably still wouldn't have gotten the win, but wouldn't have been as much of an embarrassment. Seemed like a major lack of discipline, both in the penalties and some of the non-penalized actions of our players.

 

The play calling left a lot to be desired IMHO.  Too many QB runs going nowhere.  Maybe coaches are hesitant to show their best stuff in non-conference games?  Who knows?

[vatusay]

The opposite trajectory of these two schools and programs is pretty sad.