Macomb, IL (Sports Network) - Western Illinois will play a pair of FBS programs and host six games at Hanson Field as part of its 12-game schedule this year.
The Leathernecks, who finished 3-8 last season, will visit Minnesota in a first-ever meeting on Sept. 14 and UNLV on Sept. 21. They split a pair of games against UNLV during the 1970s.
WIU will open the season at home in non-conference action against Hampton (Aug. 29) and Division II Quincy (Sept. 7). The Leathernecks will host Missouri Valley Football Conference opponents South Dakota (Sept. 28), South Dakota State (Oct. 12, Homecoming), Missouri State (Oct. 26) and Southern Illinois (Nov. 2).
The road portion of WIU's MVFC schedule is against Illinois State (Oct. 5), Youngstown State (Oct. 19), Indiana State (Nov. 16) and Northern Iowa (Nov. 23).
Coach Bob Nielson's team is not scheduled to play MVFC member North Dakota State, the two-time defending FCS national champion.
2013 Western Illinois Football Schedule
All Times ET
Aug. 29, Hampton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7, Quincy, 2 p.m.
Sept. 14, at Minnesota, TBA
Sept. 21, at UNLV
Sept. 28, South Dakota*, 4 p.m.
Oct. 5, at Illinois State*
Oct. 12, South Dakota State* (Homecoming), 4 p.m.
Oct. 19, at Youngstown State*, 4 p.m.
Oct. 26, Missouri State*, 7 p.m.
Nov. 2, Southern Illinois*, TBA
Nov. 16, at Indiana State*, TBA
Nov. 23, at Northern Iowa*, TBA
* - Missouri Valley Football Conference game
