Defensive lineman Jake Detiveaux is part of a veteran group up front for the Leathernecks. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
Growing up in Macomb, Myers Hendrickson learned early about Western Illinois’ conference foe 105 miles to the east.
He watched the rivalry with Illinois State in his youth, played in the game as a WIU wide receiver and now will coach his first home game in the series against the Redbirds at 3 p.m. Saturday at Hanson Field.
“I think it’s a tremendous rivalry and one that’s had a big impact on me,” said Hendrickson, WIU’s second-year head coach. “It’s always such a great game. I’m excited to play them on Saturday.”
The 106th meeting between the two schools (WIU leads the series, 52-50-3) will be the last, however, as members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Next fall, WIU will move to the Ohio Valley Conference.
“The fact that we get to be part of this is really special,” Hendrickson said.
Western’s players share the sentiment.
“It’s always fun because everybody gets hyped up,” defensive lineman Jake Detiveaux said. “We’re all pretty juiced up for it. We want this W.”
Hendrickson favorite game of the series? That’s easy.
“In 2010, we had a really good team,” he said of Western’s 65-38 victory, which featured six passing TDs and a rushing TD from quarterback Matt Barr. “That was a good day at Hanson. We were pretty special that year.”
With 12 games under his belt at WIU, Hendrickson shared his admiration for Illinois State head coach Brock Spack, who is in his 15th season.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for him,” Hendrickson said. “He’s built sustained success at Illinois State, and that’s very impressive.”
If WIU wants to challenge the Redbirds Saturday, they will need to finish like they started their season-opening 58-21 loss at New Mexico State.
The Leathernecks trailed 20-14 at halftime, then were outscored 38-7 in the second half.
“I didn’t like how we finished for several reasons,” Hendrickson said. “We’ve got to finish this one better and play a full 60-minute game.”
This week’s opponent
Playing at a faster offensive tempo this season, Illinois State raced to a 41-0 victory against Dayton of the FCS non-scholarship Pioneer League. The Redbirds led 31-0 at halftime. “The quarterback (Zack Annexstad) gets the ball out quick,” Hendrickson said. “They did a good job using the whole field, sideline to sideline.” ISU held Dayton to 203 total yards of offense as the Flyers never advanced into the red zone. “You know Coach Spack is always going to have a good defense,” Hendrickson said. “That wasn’t a surprise.”
(Kickoff: 3 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981fm.com)
Key matchup to watch
WIU front seven vs. Illinois State ground game: ISU’s triple threat of running backs Cole Mueller, Wenkers Wright and Mason Blakemore pose a big threat for the Leathernecks. All three backs ran for a touchdown in the Redbirds’ season-opening win. Blakemore ripped off a 71-yard scoring run vs. Dayton. During the current 14-game losing streak, the Leathernecks have allowed opponents to rush for more than 200 yards nine times and more than 150 yards on 11 occasions.
What’s at stake?
Western Illinois would certainly like a win in its final Missouri Valley Football Conference game against the Redbirds, a longtime regional rival. Last November in Normal, the Leathernecks took ISU to overtime before losing, 20-13. WIU is 2-8 in its last 10 matchups vs. the Redbirds with the last Western win coming in 2021 (a 38-31 decision in Macomb).
Quick hits
Hendrickson was impressed with new starting quarterback Matt Morrissey, who threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions against FBS New Mexico State. “Matt did a good job leading us, especially against a good defense that had already played a game and with us having a lot of new starters on offense,” he said. “I was probably most impressed with how efficient we were.” WIU was 8-for-16 on third down and did not turn the ball over. … Running back Seth Glatz had a 46-yard reception out of the backfield in the season opener and led the team in receiving yardage (73). … Last season, Western scored 21 or more points only twice last season. They’ve already done it once this fall. … WIU safety Bradyn Smith’s 13 tackles last week put him at No. 1 among MVFC tackle leaders and 14th nationally.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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