MACOMB — Western Illinois football coach Jared Elliott will make his head-coaching debut Thursday, Aug. 30, when the Leathernecks travel to Montana State to open the 2018 season.
Elliott was promoted from associate head coach in early January after Charlie Fisher left to join the Arizona State staff as wide receivers coach.
WIU’s second game is also on the road, a previously announced game at Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 8. The Leathernecks’ home opener is against Montana on Sept. 15.
After a bye week, WIU begins Missouri Valley Football Conference play at home against Youngstown State on Sept. 29.
“The first three games will be a great test for us heading into (MVFC) play, which is second to none,” Elliott said in a news release. “Our team embraces playing against the very best every week and this upcoming season is no different.”
The Leathernecks will play five home games and six on the road. The home schedule is highlighted by an Oct. 13 visit from North Dakota State, which has won six of the last seven FCS national championships.
Other home games are Oct. 27 against Northern Iowa and Nov. 17 against Indiana State in the regular-season finale.
WIU closed 2017 with an 8-4 record, a playoff appearance and final national rankings of 12th and 13th in the two major FCS polls.
2018 Western Illinois football 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