Western Illinois University's football team, the Leathernecks, are in contention for their first-ever Ohio Valley Conference championship this season, led by quarterback Kennedy McGill.
The Leathernecks have put together a strong campaign, with McGill's playmaking ability driving the offense. The program, which joined the OVC in 2023, has never captured the conference title.
A key moment came on September 12, 2026, when Western Illinois faced the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, providing valuable experience against Big Ten competition.
As the regular season winds down, the Leathernecks control their destiny in the conference race, aiming to make history with the program's first OVC crown.
