1987 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team

American college football season March 2026 December 2024 1987 Western Illinois Leathernecks football Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference GCAC 7–4 5–1 Bruce Craddock 5th Gary Crowton 1st Hanson Field The 1987 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference (GCAC) during the 1987 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Bruce Craddock, the Leathernecks compiled an overall record of 7–4, with a mark of 5–1 in conference play, and finished second in the GCAC. The Leathernecks came within one loss, to Northern iowa, of winning the conference championship and making the national playoffs. The Leathernecks lost on a last second field goal to nationally ranked Division 1 Fresno State. Senior linebacker Marty Lomalino led the team in tackles and was named an All-American. Third year starter junior quarterback Paul Singer led the Leathernecks in passing for the third consecutive year, and broke the Leatherneck records for passing yards, touchdown passes, and total offense in a season. Schedule 1987 NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee September 5 w y 1987 Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys Arkansas Tech Hanson Field Macomb, IL 48–9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-western-illinois-4/160544149/ The Commercial Appeal Western Illinois 48, Arkansas Tech 9 September 6, 1987 December 8, 2024 Newspapers.com September 12 l y y Fresno State Bulldog Stadium Fresno, CA 17–20 34,325 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-belli-boots-dogs-to-last/160544287/ The Fresno Bee Belli boots 'Dogs to last-second win September 13, 1987 December 8, 2024 Newspapers.com September 19 w Indiana State Hanson Field Macomb, IL 42–12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kokomo-tribune-wiu-sets-a-record/160535947/ The Kokomo Tribune WIU sets a record September 20, 1987 December 8, 2024 Newspapers.com September 26 w Southwest Missouri State Hanson Field Macomb, IL 20–19 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-western-illinois-edges-so/160535018/ The Pantagraph Western Illinois edges Southwest Missouri September 27, 1987 December 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 3 w y T–17 Illinois State Hancock Stadium Normal, IL 31–22 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-4-td-passes-lift-western/160544535/ Chicago Tribune 4 TD passes lift Western past Ill. State October 4, 1987 December 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 10 w y 13 Eastern Illinois O'Brien Field Charleston, IL 21–12 2,413 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-western-ill-rolls-past/160534170/ Chicago Tribune Western Ill. rolls past Eastern Ill. October 11, 1987 December 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 17 w y 9 Southern Illinois McAndrew Stadium Carbondale, IL 21–15 13,325 https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-siu-stumbles-out-of/160543780/ Southern Illinoisan SIU stumbles out of Gateway race October 18, 1987 December 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 24 l 6 Northern Iowa 12 Hanson Field Macomb, IL 7–52 14,291 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-northern-iowa-ro/160532907/ The Des Moines Register Northern Iowa rocks Western Illinois, 52–7 October 25, 1987 December 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 31 w y 16 Liberty Hanson Field Macomb, IL 24–14 5,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-w-illinois-moves-to/144523133/ Southern Illinoisan W. Illinois moves to 7–2 November 1, 1987 December 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 7 l y y 16 Northern Illinois Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL 14–29 21,863 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-chronicle-northern-turns-turno/160545194/ The Daily Chronicle Northern turns turnovers into victory over Western November 8, 1987 December 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 l y y 19 Sam Houston State T–22 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX 18–42 5,300 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114755258/sam-houston-st-42-western-illinois-18/ The Rock Island Argus Sam Houston St. 42, Western Illinois 18 November 15, 1987 December 8, 2024 Newspapers.com References Western Illinois Category:Western Illinois Leathernecks football seasons Western Illinois Leathernecks football