MACOMB, Ill. (AP) — Western Illinois will open its football season with a pair of home games before going on the road to face Football Bowl Subdivision schools Minnesota and UNLV.

The Leathernecks released their 2013 schedule on Friday. It will be their first season under new coach Bob Nielson. Western is a Football Championship Subdivision school.

Western Illinois opens with home games Aug. 29 against Hampton and Sept. 7 against Quincy.

The Leathernecks will then travel to Minnesota Sept. 14 and UNLV on Sept. 21. The Missouri Valley Football Conference season starts Sept. 28 at home against South Dakota.

Western Illinois finished last season 3-8 and fired coach Mark Hendrickson. Nielson led Minnesota-Duluth to an NCAA Division II national championship two seasons ago.