Hampton Pirates @ Western Illinois Leathernecks
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HAMP | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
WIU | 8 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 42 |
W. Illinois 42, Hampton 9
MACOMB, Ill. -- -- Dallas Nichols and Kevin Kintzel returned interceptions for touchdowns and Ryan Demming returned a Hampton fumble for a touchdown to spark Western Illinois to a 42-9 season-opening win Thursday night, the first win of the Bob Nielson Era in Macomb.
Kintzel, a junior linebacker, scored eight points for the Leathernecks of the Missouri Valley Conference, powering in for a first-quarter two-point conversion to go with his 12-yard interception return in the third quarter. He also forced the fumble that Demming returned 6 yards for the Leathernecks' second touchdown.
Nichols' third-quarter interception return covered 97 yards, the eighth-longest in school history.
Jaylian Williamson's 21-yard pass to Antwon Chisholm as Hampton, a FCS school, cut the Western Illinois lead to 8-6. A pass attempt for the two-point conversion was incomplete.
Nielson was hired as the 27th coach in Western Illinois history in December.
Game Information
Macomb, IL
2025 Standings
| Coastal Athletic Association | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 8-0 | 11-3 |
| Villanova | 7-1 | 12-3 |
| New Hampshire | 6-2 | 8-5 |
| Monmouth | 6-2 | 9-3 |
| William & Mary | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| Maine | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Elon | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Stony Brook | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Towson | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| North Carolina A&T | 2-6 | 2-10 |
| Campbell | 2-6 | 2-10 |
| Bryant | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| UAlbany | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| Hampton | 0-8 | 2-10 |
| OVC-Big South Association | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Tech | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| UT Martin | 6-2 | 6-6 |
| Gardner-Webb | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Lindenwood | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Charleston Southern | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Western Illinois | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Eastern Illinois | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Tennessee State | 0-8 | 2-10 |
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