Tag: WIU Leathernecks

Elliott prepares for final game at Western Illinois as Leathernecks face Northern Iowa Saturday

Jared Elliott (right) closes out his time as Western Illinois head coach Saturday when the Leathernecks play at Northern Iowa. He is shown here with North Dakota head coach Bubba Schweigert. (photo courtesy goleathernecks.com) Jared Elliott has spent seven falls and eight football seasons at Western Illinois University. Saturday’s Missouri Valley Conference game at Northern... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 18, 2021 at 6:00 am
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WIU parts ways with head football coach

Western Illinois University announced Wednesday that Jared Elliott would no longer be its head football coach. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com) Western Illinois University announced Wednesday that the school and head football football coach Jared Elliott “have mutually agreed to part ways at the conclusion of the 2021 season.” That announcement came from Director of Athletics Danielle Surprenant. WIU is in... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 10, 2021 at 12:23 pm
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Moving the Chains with ... Western Illinois senior safety Darius Joiner

Western Illinois senior safety Darius Joiner (1) leads the FCS in tackles this season. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com) Growing up on a farm in eastern Alabama, Darius Joiner got used to early morning wakeup calls to do chores and late-night trips with his father, Robert, to find a cow that had journeyed off of their property.... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
November 9, 2021 at 4:05 am
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3 things we learned: Another WIU record falls in loss to nationally ranked foe

Senior Dennis Houston broke the Western Illinois single-season receptions record in Saturday’s loss to South Dakota. (photo courtesy goleathernecks.com) Records continue to fall for the Western Illinois football program. Yet, that doesn’t always translate into wins as the Leathernecks dropped their Saturday home finale to nationally ranked South Dakota. Senior receiver Dennis Houston broke the... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 8, 2021 at 7:39 am
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Being more than a 'one half' team drives Western Illinois for Saturday's home finale

Western Illinois safety Darius Joiner (1) is the national FCS leader in solo tackles. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com) Beating in-state rival Illinois State last weekend provided plenty of satisfaction for the Western Illinois football team. But it was how the Leathernecks knocked off ISU, 38-31, that satisfied Western’s players the most. “Last week, we just put... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
November 3, 2021 at 8:13 pm
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3 things we learned: Leathernecks net rivalry win over Redbirds with comeback

Record-setting Western Illinois quarterback Connor Sampson helped lead the Leathernecks to a comeback win over rival Illinois State Saturday in Macomb. (photo courtesy goleathernecks.com) Time and again this season Western Illinois fell behind early in games, staged strong second-half comebacks, yet still wound up losing. That formula netted a different result Saturday at Hanson Field... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
October 31, 2021 at 11:28 am
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Illinois State, WIU renew rivalry Saturday in Macomb

Phaleak Brown scores a touchdown in Illinois State’s spring win over rival Western Illinois. (photo courtesy goredbirds.com) The last time rivals Illinois State and Western Illinois met on the field, the Redbirds came away with their lone win of the Missouri Valley Football Conference-only spring schedule. A day later, injury-depleted ISU called off its season.... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
October 29, 2021 at 5:27 am
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3 things we learned: Western losing streak reaches 4 games as passing mark falls

Western Illinois quarterback Connor Sampson set a single-season passing record in the Leathernecks’ 34-10 loss Saturday to North Dakota. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com) Western Illinois quarterback Connor Sampson keeps piling up passing yards with every week on the schedule. Unfortunately for the Leathernecks, losses keep piling up as well. WIU (1-7) lost Saturday for the fourth... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
October 23, 2021 at 10:07 pm
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First-ever North Dakota road trip brings no surprises for Western Illinois football team

Western Illinois senior wide receiver Dennis Houston (10) leads the nation this week with 9.0 receptions per game. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com) Western Illinois is making its first-ever trip this weekend to Grand Forks, N.D., to face the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s newest member. But playing the University of North Dakota brings no surprises, according to... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
October 20, 2021 at 5:30 am
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3 things we learned: 3rd quarter outburst sparks South Dakota State past WIU Leathernecks

Western Illinois fell 41-17 to nationally ranked South Dakota State Saturday in Macomb. (photo courtesy goeleathernecks.com) Nationally ranked South Dakota State exploded for 21 points in the third quarter to pull away from Western Illinois in a 41-17 decision at Hanson Field in Macomb. The Jackrabbits, ranked seventh in the Stats Perform media poll and... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
October 16, 2021 at 6:30 pm
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