Western Illinois and Western Kentucky, two nationally ranked 3-1 Gateway teams, clash in the conference opener for both. They split two games last year. The Leathernecks won 14-0 in the regular season while Western Kentucky won 31-28 in the second round of the NCAA playoffs. . . . Western Illinois leads Division I-AA in rushing defense, yielding just 52.75 yards per game. Western Kentucky’s Chris Miller has gained an average of 84.2 yards with a 7.3 average per carry and Lerron Moore is averaging 79.2 yards per game. . . . Leatherneck Russ Michna leads Gateway passers with 196.2 yards per game. Hilltoppers punter Brian Claybourn is booting them at a 45-yard clip and kept that average in last week’s 48-3 loss at Auburn. . . . Western Illinois is 12-6 in Gateway openers, 7-2 at home.
– Saturday vs. Western Kentucky, 2:30
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