Western Illinois University is gearing up for the 2026 college football season under head coach Joe Davis, who is entering his second year at the helm.
The squad brings back 18 players who have already started games and adds 19 more who have NCAA starting experience, giving the team a deep pool of talent.
In the Ohio Valley Conference preseason coaches poll, the Leathernecks sit sixth with 23 points, a position they hope to improve as they target a stronger run game.
Coach Davis has repeatedly stressed that the development of the offensive and defensive lines will be the foundation of any success, noting that the team ranked seventh in the conference for rushing yards per game and ninth for yards allowed last season.
Emphasis on the Trenches
The coaching staff has overhauled conditioning programs and introduced new schemes designed to exploit the strengths of the returning starters.
Recruiting additions and offseason workouts have also been tailored to increase speed and agility, factors that Davis believes will be decisive in the OVC race.
Fans can expect a more physical brand of football, as the program aims to translate its preseason optimism into tangible results on the field.
The season opens on August 27 at home against Northwestern College, a non‑conference matchup that will set the tone for the schedule.