Tough "road" ahead for veteran Western Illinois squad

(STATS) - With 18 returning starters, Western Illinois has reason to look forward to its 11-game 2017 schedule that was announced Tuesday.

However, with a matchup against Coastal Carolina moved from Macomb to the site of the new FBS program, the Leathernecks will play only four home games at Hanson Field in coach Charlie Fisher's second season.

They finished 6-5, including 3-5 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, in his first season.

WIU will play all three of its non-conference games on the road - Tennessee Tech (Aug. 31), Northern Arizona (Sept. 9) and Coastal Carolina (Sept. 23).

Within the MVFC, the Leathernecks will host South Dakota (Sept. 30, Homecoming), Missouri State (Oct. 14), South Dakota State (Oct. 28) and Southern Illinois (Nov. 18). Their road conference games are against Northern Iowa (Oct. 7), North Dakota State (Oct. 21), Illinois State (Nov. 4) and Indiana State (Nov. 11).

---=

2017 Western Illinois Schedule

Aug. 31, at Tennessee Tech

Sept. 9, at Northern Arizona

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

Sept. 23, at Coastal Carolina

Sept. 30, South Dakota* (Homecoming)

Oct. 7, at Northern Iowa*

Oct. 14, Missouri State*

Oct. 21, at North Dakota State*

Oct. 28, South Dakota State*

Nov. 4, at Illinois State*

Nov. 11, at Indiana State*

Nov. 18, Southern Illinois*

* - Missouri Valley Football Conference game

Add us as a preferred source on Google