Western Illinois kicker Antonio Chadha became the first Leatherneck to kick two 40-plus yard field games in a game since 2017 in Week 1. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
The memories of his first collegiate field-goal attempt are still vivid for Western Illinois kicker Antonio Chadha.
At the 8:23 mark of the first quarter against Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Chadha got the assignment to try a 38-yard kick.
“You tell yourself something on the sideline, you run out onto the field and hear the band, hear the crowd and it’s a different story,” said Chadha, a redshirt sophomore. “I rushed myself and that’s why I hooked it left.”
What has stuck with Chadha since that kick were the reaction from WIU special teams coach Joshua Caraway and the actions of head coach Joe Davis.
“Coach Caraway pulled me aside and said, ‘Take a deep breath. Slow down,’” Chadha said. “That resonated with me.”
Later in the first quarter, then again in the third quarter, Davis confidently called on Chadha. The result were field goals made from 44 and 46 yards.
With those two kicks, Chadha became the first Western kicker to make two 40-plus yard field goals in the same game since Sam Crosa in 2017.
“No one wants to start with a miss,” Chadha said. “I have to give credit and thanks to Coach Davis. He didn’t even flinch. To have the backing of the head coach is just massive in terms of a confidence builder. I’m so thankful that he trusts me and Coach Caraway trusts me. … I haven’t had that in a long time.”
Including his 31-yard field goal against Indiana last week, Chadha has now made three in a row and has nine of the Leathernecks’ 18 points this season.
On Saturday, Chadha and the Leathernecks (0-2) travel to Normal for a non-conference game against Illinois State (1-1). (Noon, Marquee Network/ESPN-Plus)
Western is in its first season in the Big South/Ohio Valley Conference Football Association after leaving the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Davis was familiar with Chadha’s high school – Philadelphia power St. Joseph’s Prep – during coaching stops on the East Coast.
“I feel we’ve got a bright spot there,” Davis said. “He’s put points on the board in the first two games against really, really good opponents.”
Chadha, an all-state kicker as a high school senior in 2021, was looking for a new home after a redshirt year at Rutgers and a season in which he did not see the field at Western Kentucky.
At both schools, Chadha said he was thought of as just “a kickoff guy” who might develop as a field goal kicker. Off-season sessions with Luke Gaddis of One On One Kicking helped him revamp his field-goal approach.
“From the very first session we had in January, I’m the most confident right now in my form and my ability than I have been in my entire career,” he said.
This week’s opponent
Illinois State has been ravaged by injuries thus far this season. Three key players will miss Saturday’s game, including senior running back Mason King, who was on the preseason Walter Payton Award watch list. King sustained a season-ending knee injury on his first carry in the season-opening 40-0 loss to Iowa. Left guard Hunter Zambrano, who has 30 career games, also will sit out the game. Senior linebacker and Buck Buchanan Award candidate Amir Abdullah (knee) also was injured against Iowa and has not played since the opener. … Junior Tommy Rittenhouse has been the standout thus far in Illinois State’s two-quarterback system (with Kansas State transfer Jake Rubley). Rittenhouse ran for a 71-yard touchdown last week in a 24-17 victory at North Alabama. In the passing game, however, the two QBs have combined for a 55% completion rate, one touchdown and three interceptions. … The defense has been historically solid and held Iowa to six points in the first half of their season opener. “We put the standard on tape,” ISU safety Keondre Jackson said.
Kickoff: Noon; TV: Marquee Network, ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981fm.com
Key matchup to watch
WIU offensive line vs. Illinois State pass rush: Known for sending pressure from a variety of positions, Illinois State can cause plenty of problems for opposing offensive lines. WIU will start its third different offensive line grouping this season, according to Davis, after the Leathernecks allowed six sacks last weekend against FBS Indiana after giving up only one against Northern Illinois.
What’s at stake?
Western is seeking its first victory against Illinois State since 2021. The last Western win in Normal was 2017.
Quick hits
After one-sided losses to Northern Illinois (54-15) and Indiana (77-3), Davis said the game film can offer plenty of opportunity for improvement. “We certainly didn’t throw it away,” the first-year head coach said. “There are a lot of lessons and there’s teaching from every bit of video that we have of our team.” … Western is likely to start its third different offensive line group Saturday. … On both sides of the ball, Davis said there are opportunities for “some guys that need to play more.” One of those is freshman cornerback Jordan Anderson from Detroit. … Senior linebacker Juan DelaCruz, who was injured in Western’s first fall scrimmage, is questionable this weekend, according to Davis. In addition, last year’s leading tackler – safety Bradyn Smith – is also recovering from injury after a switch to outside linebacker. … Allowing big plays has been a common theme in the first two games. Western has allowed eight touchdowns of 20 yards of longer. … Former WIU wide receiver Frisman Jackson (2000-2001) will be inducted Oct. 18 into the WIU Athletics Hall of Fame. Jackson and the 2024 class also will be honored during the Oct. 19 home football game against Tennessee Tech.
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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