The Western Illinois Leathernecks have announced their 2020 football schedule, which includes five home contests and 11 games overall.

“We have a great upcoming schedule that is stacked with storied programs and quality opponents,” said Western Illinois head coach Jared Elliott. “Every year is unique and different from the year prior, and the 2020 football season will provide new challenges and opportunities.”

Western Illinois opens the 2020 season with three consecutive non-conference contests, beginning at home at Hanson Field in Macomb, Ill., on Thursday, Sept. 3 against North Alabama. Western Illinois then travels to take on Eastern Washington on Sept. 12 and Oklahoma State on Sept. 19.

The Leathernecks have their open date scheduled for Sept. 26 before they play eight-consecutive Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) contests.

Western Illinois begins MVFC play on the road at South Dakota on Oct. 3 and later travels to Illinois State, South Dakota State, and Southern Illinois.

Home MVFC contests for Western Illinois in 2020 include Northern Iowa, North Dakota, Youngstown State, and Indiana State.

The Leathernecks finished the 2019 season 1-11 overall and 1-7 in conference play. Western Illinois last won a conference championship in 2002 (Gateway Football Conference) and played in the FCS Playoffs most recently in 2017.

Below is Western Illinois’ complete schedule for the 2020 season, plus a link to their schedule page which will be updated with kickoff times and TV as they are announced:

Western Illinois Football Schedule

• 09/03 – North Alabama
• 09/12 – at Eastern Washington
• 09/19 – at Oklahoma State
• 09/26 – OFF
• 10/03 – at South Dakota
• 10/10 – Northern Iowa
• 10/17 – North Dakota
• 10/24 – at Illinois State
• 10/31 – at South Dakota State
• 11/07 – Youngstown State
• 11/14 – at Southern Illinois
• 11/21 – Indiana State