Western Illinois Leathernecks

Tough 'road' ahead for veteran Western Illinois squad

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:21 p.m. ET

(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).

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2017 Western Illinois Schedule

Aug. 31, at Tennessee Tech

Sept. 9, at Northern Arizona

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*