They were led by first-year head coach Joe Davis.

The Leathernecks played their home games at Hanson Field in Macomb, Illinois.

This was the team's first season as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference after leaving the Missouri Valley Football Conference following the previous season.

The Big South-OVC Conference released their preseason poll on July 17, 2024.

[1] [2][3] at Huskie Stadium, DeKalb, Illinois at Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, Indiana at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL at Hanson Field • Macomb, IL at Buccaneer Field • North Charleston, SC at Hanson Field • Macomb, IL at Hanson Field • Macomb, IL at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO at O'Brien Field • Charleston, IL at Hanson Field • Macomb, IL at Houck Stadium • Cape Girardeau, MO at Hanson Field • Macomb, IL