Western Illinois running back Markell Holman led the OVC-Big South with 1,063 yards this fall. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Dan Verdun
For the second straight season, Western Illinois opened with a pair of games against FBS competition. For the second straight year, the Leathernecks produced a four-win season.
Yet, this fall showed more promise than 2024.
“The last four or five weeks, our defense really took a turn for the positive. Hopefully, we can build on that going into the off-season,” second-year head coach Joe Davis said after a 29-24 victory at Gardner-Webb in the season finale.
The Leathernecks closed the fall with three wins in their last four games.
Here’s a look back at WIU’s 2025 season:
Head coach: Joe Davis
Conference: Ohio Valley-Big South Football Association
Overall record (conference record): 4-8 (3-5)
Biggest win: WIU rallied past visiting Lindenwood, 24-21, on Nov. 8 at Hanson Field. The Leathernecks scored 14 fourth-quarter points, capped by a Cason Carswell 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Alex Williams with just over a minute remaining to snatch the win. Running back Markell Holman rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns, including a key fourth-quarter TD.
Most disappointing loss: Western appeared on its way to victory at UT Martin. However, Skyhawks scored 12 fourth-quarter points, including a touchdown run with 1:57 left to take a 32-31 lead. On its final drive, WIU had a 33-yard touchdown run by Holman wiped out by a penalty and then UTM blocked Antonio Chadha’s potential game-winning 48-yard field goal.
Breakout players
Offense: Markell Holman, a junior transfer from St. Francis, led the OVC-Big South with 1,063 yards in 12 games. He ran for seven touchdowns. The Philadelphia native also caught 39 passes for 314 yards and two TDs. Holman was named first-team all-conference. Holman parlayed his performance into a transfer to FBS Wyoming.
Defense: Linebacker Christian Pierce led the team in tackles (100), tackles for loss (13.5), QB hurries (7) and sacks (4.5). The senior also broke up four passes, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. The Pennsylvania native earned first-team All-OVC-Big South honors.
Special teams: Kicker Antonio Chadha nailed 13 of 19 field goal attempts, including a pair from beyond 50 yards. The junior made all 30 extra-point kicks and averaged 63 yards per kickoff. Sixty-two percent of his kickoffs were touchbacks. Like Holman, Chadha entered the transfer portal.
2026 season: WIU plays at Wisconsin of the Big Ten Sept. 12 and hosts FCS Morehead State Sept. 26. The rivalry game with Eastern Illinois is Nov. 7 in Charleston.
Next up: Barry Bottino examines 5 Burning Questions facing Western Illinois football.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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