Leathernecks, Elliott to face competitive 2018 schedule

(STATS) - Western Illinois and first-year coach Jared Elliott are hoping their strong nonconference opponents will prepare them for the rugged Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule this year.

The Leathernecks will open the season at Montana State (Aug. 30) and Illinois (Sept. 8) before hosting Montana (Sept. 15) as they try to build off an 8-4 season in which they qualified for the FCS playoffs. Elliott, formerly the assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator, has since succeeded Charlie Fisher, who joined the staff at Arizona State.

Within the conference, WIU will host four of its eight opponents at Hanson Field: Youngstown State (Sept. 29); North Dakota State (Oct. 13), the FCS champion; Northern Iowa (Oct. 27); and Indiana State (Nov. 17).

"Our team embraces playing against the very best every week and this upcoming season is no different," Elliott said.

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2018 Western Illinois schedule

Aug. 30, at Montana State

Sept. 8, at Illinois

Sept. 15, Montana

Sept. 29, Youngstown State*

Oct. 6, at Illinois State*

Oct. 13, North Dakota State*

Oct. 20, at Missouri State*

Oct. 27, Northern Iowa*

Nov. 3, at Southern Illinois*

Nov. 10, at South Dakota*

Nov. 17, Indiana State*

* - Missouri Valley Conference game