1985 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team

American college football season March 2026 December 2024 1985 Western Illinois Leathernecks football Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference GCAC 5–5 2–3 Bruce Craddock 3rd Hanson Field The 1985 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference (GCAC) during the 1985 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by third-year head coach Bruce Craddock, the Leathernecks compiled an overall record of 5–5, with a mark of 2–3 in conference play, and finished tied for third in the GCAC. The Leathernecks started the season 1 - 4, then finished the season 5 - 1 after freshman quarterback Paul Singer became the starter in game 5. Singer finished the season as the highest rated freshman quarterback in the country. Senior Running back Jeff McKinney was named academic All-American, and senior Barry Woodruff was named honorable mention all American punter. Schedule 1985 NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee September 7 l y Illinois State Hancock Stadium Normal, IL 6–18 9,867 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-illinois-st-18-w-il/160086445/ The Wichita Eagle-Beacon Illinois St. 18, W. Illinois 6 September 8, 1985 December 1, 2024 Newspapers.com September 21 w y Michigan Tech Hanson Field Macomb, IL 55–20 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-w-illinois-55-m/160093871/ The Grand Rapids Press W. Illinois 55, Michigan Tech 20 September 22, 1984 December 1, 2024 Newspapers.com September 28 l y y Richmond 1 UR Stadium Richmond, VA 20–38 16,102 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112421005/ur-surge-pummels-w-illinois/ Richmond Times-Dispatch UR surge pummels W. Illinois September 29, 1985 December 1, 2024 Newspapers.com October 5 l Northern Iowa 14 Hanson Field Macomb, IL 14–48 5,438 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal/18762646/ The Sioux City Journal Northern Iowa posts 48–14 win October 6, 1985 December 1, 2024 Newspapers.com October 12 w y 1985 Northern Michigan Wildcats Northern Michigan Hanson Field Macomb, IL 14–7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-nmu-bows-147/160094178/ The Grand Rapids Press NMU bows, 14–7 October 13, 1985 December 1, 2024 Newspapers.com October 19 l y y Indiana State Memorial Stadium Terre Haute, IN 42–24 11,786 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-sycamores-stop-wes/160089310/ The Indianapolis Star Sycamores stop Western Illinois October 20, 1985 December 1, 2024 Newspapers.com October 26 w y Eastern Illinois O'Brien Stadium Charleston, IL 34–20 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-mckinneys-3-sco/160091201/ The Des Moines Register McKinney's 3 scores lift Leathernecks October 27, 1985 December 1, 2024 Newspapers.com November 2 l Southwest Missouri State Hanson Field Macomb, IL 17–27 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-sw-missouri-topples-wiu/160092916/ The Pantagraph SW Missouri topples WIU November 3, 1985 December 1, 2024 Newspapers.com November 9 w y 1985 Winona State Warriors Winona State Hanson Field Macomb, IL 7–3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-winona-daily-news-rain-shortens-warr/160094723/ The Winona Daily News Rain shortens Warrior game; WIU wins 7–3 November 10, 1985 December 1, 2024 Newspapers.com November 16 w Southern Illinois Hanson Field Macomb, IL 14–7 1,478 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-w-illinois-14-s-ill/160084400/ The Wichita Eagle-Beacon W. Illinois 14, S. Illinois 7 November 17, 1985 December 1, 2024 Newspapers.com References Western Illinois Category:Western Illinois Leathernecks football seasons Western Illinois Leathernecks football