Venue & Game Info
Kickoff: 6:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM ET
Location: Hanson Field, Macomb, Illinois (Capacity: ~16,368)
Broadcast: ESPN+ Radio: WVUR 95.1 FM (Valpo) / WIU Leatherneck Sports Network
Notable: WIU’s 2025 home opener after two road games against Big Ten opponents; Senior Night at Hanson Field
Weather Outlook
Forecast: Mostly clear skies
Temperature at Kickoff: ~78°F, cooling to ~70°F by late 4th quarter
Humidity: ~58%
Wind: Light SSE at 4–6 mph
Precipitation:
Impact: Ideal early-fall football weather; no weather-related handicapping adjustments
Injury & Availability Report
Western Illinois:
No major starters ruled out
QB Cason Carswell (backup) threw WIU’s lone TD last week vs. Northwestern
RB Markell Holman (team-high rushing attempts) available
WR Demari Davis (leading receiver) active
Valparaiso:
No major starters ruled out
RB Dawaiian McNeely (game-winning TD in Week 1) healthy
LB Anthony Feltrinelli (14 tackles last week) available
Recent Form
Western Illinois:
L 42–7 at Northwestern — defense allowed 500+ total yards
L 45–0 at Illinois — overmatched by Big Ten opponent
Valparaiso:
L 10–7 vs. Adrian — lost on late TD pass with :26 left
W 67–3 vs. Wisconsin Lutheran — offense exploded in opener
Series History
All-Time: Western Illinois leads 2–0
Last Meeting: 2014 — WIU 45, Valpo 6
Trend: WIU has outscored Valpo 90–6 in two meetings
Betting Trends
Western Illinois: 3–2 ATS in last 5 home openers
Valparaiso: 1–4 ATS in last 5 road openers
Under has hit in 4 of WIU’s last 6 home games
Game Odds
Valparaiso Beacons 44.5
Western Illinois Leathernecks – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025
