First-year Western Illinois head coach Joe Davis and his Leathernecks host McKendree University at 6 p.m. Saturday. (Photo by WIU X/Twitter account)
By Dan Verdun
Western Illinois University’s Hanson Field received a recent upgrade that will be on full display when the Leathernecks take the field for Saturday’s 6 p.m. home opener.
Fans are also anticipating a marked improvement in the WIU program now under the leadership of first-year head coach Joe Davis.
“Our fundraising folks here, in unison with our alumni, did a heck of a job fundraising a heck of a lot of money this spring,” Davis said. “We’ve really revamped the east side of the stadium with banners and different things to recognize the tradition of excellence within this football program.”
The program has suffered a downturn in recent years. WIU is mired in a 27-game losing streak, dating back to 2021. The Leathernecks have suffered through back-to-back 0-11 seasons.
Yet, Davis will have none of it. He has not addressed the streak – the longest in school history – with his team.
“It’s not even a point of conversation with us,” said Davis, who was hired in December. “There’s 65 players on this team that have nothing to do with that. There are 10 coaches that came in here that didn’t have a lot to do with that.
“We have a lot of respect for teams and players and coaches of the past, (but) it’s a new era with big energy and that’s our sole focus right now. (We’re) moving forward and looking for our first win of the season.”
Double debut
Saturday will mark the home debut for this year’s edition of the Leathernecks in addition to Davis as a head coach after more than 20 years as an assistant at a variety of stops.
“It’s exciting and humbling and honored and all those emotions and thoughts that go into it,” Davis said. “I mentioned to our team that hey, this is my first home game on campus as well (as yours).
“We’re excited to not only get back on our home field, but to interact and show this community what our football program is all about.”
Davis talked about the tradition of Western Illinois and Macomb.
“This community is very passionate about Leatherneck football and Western Illinois athletics. The town really centers its weekend around going to Leatherneck games. (We’re) just excited to get out under the lights.”
WIU is 0-3 this season. Two of those losses were against FBS teams, Northern Illinois of the Mid-American Conference and Indiana of the Big Ten Conference.
The Leathernecks are coming off a bye week following a 51-34 loss at FCS Top 20-ranked Illinois State.
All three of those games were played on the road. This marks the latest WIU home opener since 2017, when head coach Charlie Fisher’s Leathernecks didn’t play at Hanson Field until Sept. 30.
The opponent
McKendree University, located in Lebanon, Ill., plays in the Division-II Great Lakes Valley Conference.
The Bearcats bring a 2-1 record into Macomb.
Redshirt senior Andrew Sherry was named the GLVC Defensive Player of the Week following a career-high 11-solo tackle performance last weekend. Sherry broke up two passes and had a key interception.
Peoria native and feature back Eddie Clark leads McKendree with 221 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Redshirt sophomore Ty Michael has completed 53 percent of his passes for 697 yards and three touchdowns. Michael, an O’Fallon (Ill.) High School graduate, has been intercepted three times.
Redshirt senior Yogi Flagler, Jr. is the top receiver with 18 catches for 317 yards and a touchdown.
Graduate student Caleb Fisher is both a receiver and backup quarterback. The Washington, Ill. native ranks second on the team with 12 receptions for 123 yards.
Kickoff: 6 p.m.; TB: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981fm.com
Key matchup to watch
WIU offense vs. McKendree defense: Quarterback Nate Lamb passed for 269 yards against nationally ranked Illinois State Sept. 14. In addition, the senior ran for 59 yards on 15 carries. In all, Lamb accounted for four touchdowns – three on the ground and one in the air.
McKendree has intercepted five out of 116 opponent passing attempts. Sherry, a Lincoln-Way West High School graduate, is the team leader with two.
What’s at stake?
A WIU win would snap a 27-game losing streak, the longest current FCS string.
Fan first play call
Thanks to a raffle at the WIU spring game, a fan will call the first Leatherneck offensive play in Saturday’s game. Prairie State Pigskin first chronicled this in April.
Mike Mascucci, the father of WIU senior kicker Christiaan Masucci, was the winner of the raffle.
“As far as I know he has his play picked out,” Davis said. “If it’s a good play, we’ll hire him.”
Quick hits
Hanson Field opened in 1950. The field is named after former Western coach and athletic director Ray “Rock” Hanson, who was also a Marine. … The year’s stadium renovations include new field turf, the first such upgrade since 2011. … In 2001, the main entrance was renovated by adding an iron gate, brick pillars and an arch displaying the words, Hanson Field. … The stadium’s east side last received a major face lift in 2007. That upgrade included new bleachers, increased seating capacity, restrooms and concession stands. … In 2017, an 8-foot bronze statue of Hanson was erected just outside the northwest entrance to the field bearing his name. …Cameren Smith, a transfer from Missouri S&T who played against McKendree, leads Western with 146 yards on 43 carries. Smith is coming off a season-high 77 yards against Illinois State. … Senior Mike Newman and junior Ryan Crandall lead the Leathernecks with 24 and 21 tackles respectively. … The Leatherneck defense has yet to register a sack or grab an interception. … Offensive lineman Marcus Hansen transferred from WIU to McKendree this offseason.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
Find us on social media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Instagram: Prairiestatepigskin
Prairie State Pigskin 
Leave a comment