2026 Week 1 - WIU vs Illinois State

[ST_Lawson]

 VS 

Opponent: Illinois State Redbirds (FCS #4 in the STATS FCS Top 25)

Game Time: Friday, September 5 at 6 PM, Youth Day/Senior Day

Location: Hanson Field, Macomb

Last Year: ISU had an exceptional season in 2025. They went 8-4 in the regular season with losses to FBS #18 Oklahoma, #1 North Dakota State, #25 Youngstown State, and #24 Southern Illinois and earned a spot in the playoffs as an at-large team. Once there, they beat #16 Southeastern Louisiana, won in their rematch with #1 North Dakota State (to end NDSU's FCS era with a loss), beat #8 UC Davis, and #12 Villanova (all of those games were on the road). In the FCS championship game, they lost to #2 Montana State by a missed FG in OT.

This Year: Like us, ISU started off with a home game against a NAIA team, where they started off strong and never let up, winning 76-0.

History: The Leathernecks and Redbirds have met on the football field 106 times, including every year from 1923-1972 and then from 1972-2024. WIU currently holds a 52-51-3 record against ISU, although they have won the last 6 meetings. The last Leatherneck win was a 45-0 steamrolling in 2017.

Projections: Massey Ratings gives us a 21% chance of a win, with a projected score of 38-24 for the Redbirds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

[wiu712]

There were 3 Food Trucks at last week's Tailgate.  They were located in the north end of Q-Lot (Row A).

[wiu712]

Transfer Portal Pays Off Early for Western Illinois in Season-Opening Win.
From WGEM Sports:
https://www.wgem.com/2026/09/01/transfe ... ening-win/
 
 

[jtrinaldi]

excited for this one with a dud of a Top 25 CFB slate on opening weekend. A true litmus test early in the season 

[NewNeck]

excited for this one with a dud of a Top 25 CFB slate on opening weekend. A true litmus test early in the season 

 

Agree with this!  WIU had a big break out game on offense vs them in 2024. Defense not so much.  Was the igniter game for Lamb, Henry and Aragon to have All OVC seasons and Lamb one of the best QB seasons in WIU history.   WIU scored to make it 31-28 late in 3rd after a Redbird blocked field goal but ISU ran away late. https://www.espn.com/college-football/g ... llinois-st

It will be interesting to see what new players rise up to the level of competition in this game.  This week and next vs UW will be only 2 games where Necks will be significant dogs this fall. 

[4EverPurple&Gold]

excited for this one with a dud of a Top 25 CFB slate on opening weekend. A true litmus test early in the season 

 

Same! Excited the make the trip up. Haven't had a game looking forward to in a while and plus should be a great crowd. 

[wiu712]