Western Illinois linebacker Mike Cardilli (50) has started five games this season as a redshirt freshman. His former Lincoln-Way East teammate, safety Kamal Mukarram, has started twice this fall. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
As high school teammates, Mike Cardilli and Kamal Mukarram were part of a powerhouse Lincoln-Way East program.
That’s the same East team that has produced dozens of college players over the past decade.
“We practice like a college program, so that really helps us out,” Mukarram said.
“It’s second to none in terms of player development,” Cardilli added.
This fall, the duo is making an impact at Western Illinois, where they are both starting for the Leathernecks.
Cardilli, a redshirt freshman middle linebacker, will start his sixth game of the season today when Western (0-6 overall, 0-3 Missouri Valley Football Conference) travels to No. 14 North Dakota State for an MVFC game. Mukarram will start his third game of the season in Fargo and has 16 total tackles.
Cardilli and Mukarram, a redshirt freshman strong safety, were part of WIU head coach Myers Hendrickson’s initial recruiting class.
“Signing two guys out of (Lincoln-Way East) was big for us,” Hendrickson said. “Now they’re both starting for us, so it’s paid off really well. (That speaks to) how talented that class was.”
The former prep teammates weren’t expecting to play together again but are thankful for the opportunity.
“We have such a great connection,” said Cardilli, who played defensive end and defensive tackle at Lincoln-Way East and has 16 tackles this season. “We’ve been playing together since grade school. This wasn’t even planned. I committed here way after he did. It’s one of those things that seemed like it was just meant to be.”
Hendrickson praised both players for making an impact early in their careers.
“Feel for the game is huge at both of those spots,” he said. “You have to be a great student of the game. We’re talking about the middle of the defense. It speaks volumes about them and what they’re doing.
“At inside linebacker, you’re in the mix every single play. And Kamal, as the quarterback of the defense at safety, has been great for us,” Hendrickson said. “We knew they were both going to be special players, and their best football is still ahead of them.”
This week’s opponent
Having won nine FCS national titles in the past 12 years, it may be shocking for some to see the Bison with a 4-2 record – and 1-2 in the MVFC – through six games. NDSU ranks as the nation’s No. 25 scoring defense (21.8 points a game) but allowed 79 combined points in losses to South Dakota and North Dakota over the past three weeks. … NDSU’s passing game is producing 75 yards less a game this season than in 2022, and two quarterbacks lead the team in rushing. … Despite their two losses, NDSU is ranked 14th in the STATS Perform media poll this week, 15th in the coaches’ poll and No. 34 in the national Sagarin power rankings.
(Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981FM.com)
Key matchup to watch
WIU defense vs. NDSU quarterback Cam Miller: As the leader of the Bison offense, Miller can be a nightmare for opposing defenses. He leads the nation in completion percentage at 77.2% and has thrown eight touchdowns and only two interceptions. Using his feet, Miller leads the team with seven rushing touchdowns and is tied for the rushing lead with 304 yards along with fellow QB Cole Payton (six rushing TDs).
What’s at stake?
For Western, their to-do list leads with trying to avoid a 20th consecutive loss. For NDSU, the Bison are trying to avoid losing three games in a four-week period.
Quick hits
Along with Mukarram, the WIU safety duo now includes another young player, true freshman Cordell Wilson. “The sky’s the limit for Cordell,” Hendrickson said. “He’s come a long way. He’s established himself as a player in only his third semester here.” Last week against Missouri State, in his first career start, Wilson had five tackles. … The Leathernecks also made changes up front on offense last week, inserting Joey Treccia, a Colorado State transfer, at center and Caden Selle at guard. Both are redshirt freshmen. Ryan Merklinger, a Valparaiso transfer, moved from center to tackle. “Both (Treccia and Selle) are combination center/guard players,” Hendrickson said. “When you have that positional flexibility, it does give you the opportunity to put the best five on the field.” … After not committing a turnover in its first three games, WIU has turned the ball over nine times in the past three weeks, including four times last week in a 48-7 loss to Missouri State. “We’ve got to get back on track in that regard,” Hendrickson said. “It’s a huge emphasis for us, protecting the ball.” … Hendrickson said he hasn’t been in NDSU’s Fargo Dome since he was a WIU wide receiver in 2010. That year, the Leathernecks pulled off a 28-16 victory. In that game, current WIU linebackers coach Brandon Kreczmer had a game-high 10 tackles for the Leathernecks. … Junior punter Jared Campbell made history last week with an 86-yard punt, the second-longest in school history. “It was a huge field flip,” Hendrickson said. “We feel good every time he’s out there.”
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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