NORMAL -- Illinois State football coach Brock Spack gathered his team around him at the conclusion of practice Tuesday and peppered his Redbirds with facts concerning the recent rivalry with Western Illinois.

It was hardly a recitation of success.

"They've had our number over the last 19 years," Spack said. "They have dominated the series. We'll see what we can do about it."

That attempt begins at 1 p.m. Saturday as the Leathernecks visit Hancock Stadium for a Missouri Valley Football Conference game on Family Day.

ISU has not defeated Western at Hancock Stadium since 1999, and the Leathernecks have prevailed in seven of the past eight encounters with the Redbirds.

While ISU has won three of its last four to improve to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the Valley, Western has fallen on hard times in a season that saw veteran head coach Don Patterson step down because of illness and Mark Hendrickson grab the coaching reins.

The Leathernecks have dropped seven straight since a season-opening victory and are 0-5 in league play.

"They have lost a lot of close games against very good opponents," said Spack. "I don't think their record indicates how good of a team they are. They have been playing very good defense."

Redshirt freshman Wil Lunt has taken over at quarterback for the injured Matt Barr and will start his fifth game Saturday. Lunt has completed 51 of 102 passes for 540 yards, but Western relies heavily on the running of 220-pound Dre Gibbs (895 yards).

A win would give the Redbirds their first over .500 record since a 2-1 mark in 2007.

"We expect to be a winning team and we expect to do it now," wide receiver Eyad Salem said. "The seniors made goals at the beginning, and we've kept those goals in house. Those goals are still attainable now."

Redshirt freshman Matt Brown is completing 65 percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,744 yards. Salem leads the Valley with 67 receptions and 686 receiving yards.

"They have improved a great deal over the course of their first eight games on both sides of the ball," Hendrickson said of the Redbirds. "Their defense has become a closer unit."

ISU leading rusher Geno Blow and offensive guard Charles Dennis are questionable with ankle injuries. Cliffton Gordon is the likely starter at tailback, while Keenan Wimbley would fill in for Dennis.

Halftime salute to 1999 team: Members of ISU's 1999 team will be honored at halftime on the 10-year anniversary of its Gateway Conference championship and advancement to the Division I-AA national semifinals.