Western Illinois quarterback Matt Morrissey and the Leathernecks’ offense have not turned the ball over in two games this season. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Barry Bottino
MACOMB – When Matt Morrissey was told Saturday that live stats on the Western Illinois website listed his team with a lost fumble, he offered a quizzical look and a quick denial.
The stats were, after all, a mistake. Morrissey, the quarterback who has led an offense that has not turned the ball over in two games, was right.
“Our team stresses the right thing when our starting quarterback right away is going to know how many (turnovers) we had,” WIU head coach Myers Hendrickson said.
Despite an 0-2 start and its current 15-game losing streak, the Leathernecks have rapidly slowed the pace of their turnovers in Hendrickson’s second season.
Over the past 10 seasons, Western is averaging 20.4 turnovers a year. The past three seasons have seen the Leathernecks turn the ball over 76 times.
“When we protect the football, we are a good team,” Hendrickson said.
As a first-year transfer from Northern Iowa, Morrissey has thrown three touchdowns, run for another TD and completed 56% of his passes.
Efficiency has been a major focus for the Leathernecks this season after going 0-11 a year ago.
“We are trying to be as good as we can be every play, not make a good play then have a negative play the next time,” Morrissey said. “Just continue to stack positive plays.”
Western will seek to build more positivity at 6 p.m. Saturday with a non-conference home game against future Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association rival Lindenwood. WIU is in its final season of Missouri Valley Football Conference play.
Lions head coach Jed Stugart has taken notice of Western’s lack of turnovers.
“Any time you’re not turning the ball over and giving up possession, that’s a huge thing,” he said.
Stugart said his team, which is in its first season of playing Division I FCS football after elevating from Division II, doesn’t pay attention to Western’s recent struggles.
“It pays no dividend to look at records,” he said. “That’s a very bad trap to get into. We haven’t done a whole lot to ever look (down) on someone else’s situation. (Western) is a team that plays in the Missouri Valley. They’re used to playing in a very physical, tough conference.”
This week’s opponent
Lindenwood (1-1) finished 7-3 a season ago as a provisional FCS member. The Lions beat Eastern Illinois, Central Arkansas, Murray State and Houston Baptist while scoring 39.5 points a game. This season, junior Cole Dugger has taken over at quarterback after throwing eight TDs as a reserve the past two years. Dugger has completed only 49% of his passes and threw three interceptions last week in a 45-7 loss against Big South-OVC heavyweight Southeast Missouri. … Stugart said the team’s transition to FCS is still taking place along the offensive and defensive lines. “We don’t look like a lot of the guys we’re playing yet,” he said. “We’re still growing into that. We’re catching up. We’re facing bigger, more physical offensive lines.” The Lions’ defensive line averages 276 pounds per man, while WIU’s offensive line weighs in at an average of 325 pounds.
(Kickoff: 6 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981fm.com)
Key matchup to watch
Western Illinois D-line vs. Lindenwood O-line: Despite being undersized up front, the Lions have allowed only one sack in their first two games. On the flip side, Western’s defense has produced one sack, by tackle Jake Detiveaux. Getting into the Lindenwood backfield will play a key role in Western’s chances at victory.
What’s at stake?
The Leathernecks want a win badly, especially before the MVFC portion of their schedule begins.
Quick hits
The Leathernecks are averaging only 13.5 rushing yards a game and need to pump up their ground attack to provide some offensive balance. … In his first two starts, Morrissey has left a big impression on his head coach. “I always feel good when the ball’s in his hands,” Hendrickson said of his quarterback. “He’s made some plays scrambling around, with his feet. Everybody knows he’s got a big arm and can make all the throws.” …. Former Illinois State head coach Denver Johnson – who was 48-54 in nine seasons in Normal (2000-2008) – is in his fourth season as Lindenwood’s offensive line coach.
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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