The Western Illinois Leathernecks will visit the Indiana State Sycamores in 2027 and host the North Alabama Lions during the 2029 season, FBSchedules.com has learned.
The Leathernecks and Sycamores were originally scheduled to begin a home-and-home series on September 8, 2029, at Hanson Field in Macomb, Ill., a matchup FBSchedules.com reported last year. That game remains on the books.
The return game, previously slated for September 14, 2030, at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute, Ind., has been moved up three seasons. According to an amendment to the contract obtained from Western Illinois University (WIU) via a state Freedom of Information Act request, the contest will now be played on September 18, 2027, and will now serve as the first game of the series.
Western Illinois and Indiana State have met 45 times, including 15 matchups as MVFC opponents between 2008 and 2023. The Sycamores have won the last five meetings, most recently in 2023, and lead the all‑time series 26–19.
Earlier this year, WIU released its 2026 football schedule, which included a new road matchup at North Alabama on September 26. A copy of the game contract obtained by FBSchedules.com confirms that the Lions will make the return trip to Hanson Field on September 22, 2029.
The Leathernecks and Lions have met once previously, a 26–17 North Alabama victory on August 29, 2019, in Florence, Ala. The return game planned for the 2020 season was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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