'Necks jack Rabbits Jan 12, 2008
MACOMB - The Western Illinois football team needed four overtimes last fall to defeat South Dakota State, but the Leatherneck basketball squad got the job done in regulation as Western Illinois powered past the Jackrabbits 75-52 Thursday night at Western Hall. It was the first-ever meeting on the hardwood between the two schools as the Fighting Leathernecks won their second straight Summit League contest to improve to 2-2 in conference play and 7-8 overall. (Macomb Journal, IL)
'Necks prepare for dog fight Nov 3, 2007
It is now a two-game season for the Western Illinois football team as the Fighting Leathernecks continue their quest for their first playoff berth since 2003. No. 19 Western Illinois (6-3, 3-1) bounced back last weekend from an embarrassing performance against top-ranked Northern Iowa the previous week to defeat Illinois State 27-14 in Normal. (Macomb Journal, IL)
Two for the show for WIU? Oct 13, 2007
MACOMB - The Western Illinois football team takes a 4-2 overall record and 1-0 mark in the Gateway Football Conference heading into Saturday's contest against Missouri State at Hanson Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.. (Macomb Journal, IL)
Second season for Western Oct 6, 2007
MACOMB - The "second season" for the Western Illinois football team officially gets underway this weekend when the Fighting Leathernecks kick off the Gateway Football Conference part of its schedule with a trip to Terre Haute to face Indiana State. Western Illinois will take a 3-2 record into Memorial Stadium Saturday after dropping a 41-28 homecoming decision last weekend against third-ranked North Dakota State. (Macomb Journal, IL)
'Necks look for payback againt Jacks Sep 22, 2007
MACOMB - The Western Illinois football team continued its rise up the FCS Sports Network Coaches Poll this week as the Fighting Leathernecks moved up to 19th after dismantling NAIA St. Francis 69-0 last Saturday evening at Hanson Field. Western Illinois will next take its 2-1 record on the road this weekend to Nacogdoches, Texas and a meeting with Stephen F. Austin, which is looking for its first win of the season after losses to 16th-ranked (D-II) Tarleton State (27-24) and at fourth-ranked... (Macomb Journal, IL)
Leathernecks rush past Saints Sep 18, 2007
MACOMB - Following its 21-0 loss at Illinois the week before, the Western Illinois football team was looking to get back on track against NAIA opponent St. Francis (Ill. Saturday evening at Hanson Field. (Macomb Journal, IL)
Shoe on other foot for Western Sep 15, 2007
MACOMB - Although it put up an inspiring and impressive performance last Saturday in a 21-0 loss at Illinois, the Western Illinois football team has a chance to get back on track this weekend when the Fighting Leathernecks host NAIA-member University of St. Francis at Hanson Field Saturday evening. Despite the loss to the Fighting Illini, Western Illinois (1-1) actually moved up one spot in the NCAA Football Championship Series Coaches Poll as the Leathernecks find themselves ranked 21st in the... (Macomb Journal, IL)
Lack of "O" leads to "L" for WIU Sep 11, 2007
CHAMPAIGN - For one half Saturday night, the Western Illinois football team went toe-to-toe with its Big Ten opponent Illinois, but the Fighting Illini would score a pair of touchdowns in the second half to pull out a 21-0 victory over the Fighting Leathernecks at Memorial Stadium. The shutout marked the first time that Western Illinois had been blanked since 1994 - a streak of 151 consecutive games. (Macomb Journal, IL)
'Necks look for upset of Illinois Sep 8, 2007
MACOMB - For the first time in school history, the Western Illinois football team needed four overtimes last week to upend then-20th ranked South Dakota State 29-26 in the first game of the 2007 season at Hanson Field. And in the first game of his collegiate career, redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Barr, who came on early in the first quarter for injured starter Zack Wells, rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown while completing 18-of-24 passes for 128 yards and throwing for another score. (Macomb Journal, IL)
Leathernecks look to outrun Jackrabbits Aug 30, 2007
MACOMB The disappointment of a season-ending loss at Missouri State last November, which saddled the Western Illinois football program with its third consecutive losing season, can be erased on Thursday night with a victory over nationally-ranked South Dakota State, one of the newest members to the Gateway Football Conference. The Jackrabbits, along with North Dakota State, will officially begin league play in 2008. (Macomb Journal, IL)
WIU football program holds awards banquet Jan 23, 2007
MACOMB - Quarterback Steve LaFalce and linebacker Jerome Bennett were named the 2006 offensive and defensive Most Valuable Players at the annual Western Illinois Football Awards Banquet Saturday afternoon. Players were recognized for all-conference honors, academic excellence as well as yearly team awards. (Macomb Journal, IL)
Leathernecks already in playoff mode Oct 14, 2006
MACOMB - One goal for the Western Illinois football team this season was to return to post-season play for the first time since the 2003 season. Unofficially, the Fighting Leathernecks find themselves in a playoff mode starting Saturday when they host sixth-ranked (I-AA)Youngstown State (5-1, 2-0) on homecoming weekend at Hanson Field. (Macomb Journal, IL)
Leathernecks set to begin Gateway play Sep 30, 2006
MACOMB - After its 42-28 victory last weekend at Northern Colorado, the Western Illinois football team had met one goal for the regular season - to be at least 3-1 entering the Gateway Football Conference portion of the schedule. The Fighting Leathernecks officially begin their "second season" Saturday when they travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky to take on Western Kentucky in their GFC opener. (Macomb Journal, IL)
Leathernecks prepare to tackle Bears Sep 23, 2006
MACOMB - In many aspects, the real season gets underway this weekend for the Western Illinois football team when they travel to Greeley, Colorado and a date with Northern Colorado University. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:35 p.m. (CDT) Saturday afternoon at Nottingham Field in Greeley. (Macomb Journal, IL)
Leathernecks looking to badger Wisconsin Sep 9, 2006
MACOMB - The Western Illinois football team is going to camp this weekend, but this one is much different than what most of them have ever experienced before. The Fighting Leathernecks take their 1-0 record into Badger country Saturday when they face Wisconsin (1-0) at historic Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. (Macomb Journal, IL)
Still no place like home for WIU Sep 3, 2006
and Toledo, Ohio, over the past two years, the Western Illinois football team stayed at home Thursday night to open up a new gridiron campaign for the first time since 2003. The plan worked for the ninth straight time as the Fighting Leathernecks defeated Morehead State 31-6 in front of a good opening night crowd at Hanson Field. (Macomb Journal, IL)
Long wait nearly done for WIU Aug 31, 2006
MACOMB - The 103rd season of Western Illinois football gets underway Thursday night at Hanson Field when the Fighting Leathernecks host Morehead State for a 6:05 p.m. kickoff. It will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools and Western Illinois will be going for its fourth straight victory after closing out the 2005 season on a three-game winning streak. (Macomb Journal, IL)
More than a coach and teacher Jul 6, 2006
Even though now retired, Coach will still walk the sidelines on Saturdays in the fall holding the sideline marker at Hanson Field - a job that he has performed at Western Illinois football games for many years. And, if you watch closely enough, you'll probably still catch him coaching a little bit. (Macomb Journal, IL)
