Toriano Tate (21) returned three kickoffs for 98 yards in Western’s 45-38 loss at Eastern Illinois Saturday. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Dan Verdun
His program’s special teams have lived up to the adjective describing the often overlooked third phase of football. That greatly pleases Western Illinois head coach Joe Davis.
“Our special teams have really played at a high level in conference play,” Davis said. “Week after week, we continue to make an impactful play. With new programs and (with) younger players, sometimes special teams is more about avoiding the implosions. We’ve done (well).”
Davis is quick to credit special teams coach Joshua Caraway.
“We had three drives start on really short fields,” Davis said of the unit’s performance Saturday at rival Eastern Illinois. “We were able to get points on all those drives. We place a big emphasis on it.”
Sophomore kickoff returner Toriano Tate had three returns for 98 yards against EIU. His longest return went for 41 yards.
“Toriano Tate is among the best athletes in the country,” Davis said of Tate, who was the outdoor long jump champion at the 2023 Summit League track and field championships. “He continues to be a very competitive national track athlete here at Western. We were waiting for him to get loose on kick returns so to speak. He was able to do that on Saturday.”
The kickoff coverage team also came up with a big play. Senior K.J. Coleman forced Eastern returner Jacarre Fleming to fumble in the second quarter and teammate Ethan Ladd recovered it at the EIU 22. That led to a 32-yard field goal by kicker Antonio Chadha, who Davis said “has been a very pleasant surprise.”
Chadha, a transfer from FBS Western Kentucky, leads the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association in field goal percentage (10-for-12, 83.3%).
Chadha has made 32-of-33 extra points this season.
Western (3-6 overall, 2-3 in Big South/OVC) hosts Tennessee State (6-3, 3-2) Saturday at Hanson Field.
The Tigers are another team that excels on special teams.
TSU leads the league on kickoff returns. C.J. Evans Jr. averages 44.4 yards per return and has run back two kicks for touchdowns this season.
Evans Jr. ranks second in the Big South/OVC on punt returns.
“That young man, No. 23 for Tennessee State, has had some explosive returns,” Davis said. “They (also) try to get him the ball on offense. He’s really been the difference for them in a couple of close games.
“We’ll have our hands full defending him and those units.”
The opponent
Tennessee State’s postseason hopes were essentially dashed last weekend with a 28-21 home loss to UT Martin.
The Tigers rank second only to league leader Southeast Missouri in scoring defense, allowing 23.7 points per game. TSU has bagged 24 sacks in nine games.
Keondre Booker leads the Big South-OVC with 6.5 sacks. Teammate Eriq George, head coach Eddie George’s son, has 4.5 sacks. George is tied for the conference lead with 11 tackles for loss.
Defensive backs Boogie Trotter and Tyler Jones have combined for five interceptions.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.; TB: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981fm.com
Key matchup to watch
WIU defense vs. TSU QB Draylen Ellis
The Tigers’ senior quarterback passed for 312 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s loss. Ellis was intercepted twice.
The Leathernecks have only five interceptions in nine games this season. Western’s defense ranks last in the Big South-OVC, surrendering 52 touchdowns and 511.9 yards per game.
“Tennessee State is playing very complimentary football, and a lot of that has to do with Draylen Ellis,” Davis said. “You can tell he’s a very veteran quarterback. He’s in a little bit of a groove there. They play to his strengths.”
What’s at stake?
After three wins in four games, Western Illinois has lost two straight despite scoring 38 points in each contest.
“Offense was doing all they could for us, but being a defensive player, we’ve got to do more,” Coleman said after the loss at Eastern Illinois. “Tackling is the biggest thing right now.
“I still believe in this team. We’ve got to keep pushing. That’s the only thing we can do. Get back to work.”
Honoring the past
WIU will honor its football alumni Saturday, along with a special on-field recognition of the 1974 Leathernecks. That team, coached by Brodie Westen, defeated the University of Hawaii 50 years ago.
“It’s a memory that won’t just go away,” Westen said in a 2010 interview. “After the game I remember walking out to the bus with my wife. This Hawaiian fella came up and said, ‘This is the second worst thing that’s ever happened to us on this island.’ Of course he was talking about the (Japanese) attack on Pearl Harbor being the first.”
Westen served as a Western assistant (1971-73) prior to becoming the head coach in 1974 and ‘75.
According to his WIU athletic hall of fame biography, Westen was “a major financial supporter and served on the Leatherneck Club Board of Directors” following his coaching career.
“He stayed around and opened basically a beer distributorship here in Macomb,” Davis said. “His whole family stayed. In Macomb, there’s Westens all over town. And they’re all huge Western supporters. Many of them are very strong football supporters.”
Westen passed away in 2021.
According to school officials, approximately 20 members of the 1974 team are expected at Saturday’s game.
Quick hits
This weekend’s game marks the first ever meeting between Tennessee State and Western Illinois. … TSU ranks second only to Big South/OVC leader Southeast Missouri in scoring defense. The Tigers have given up 213 points in nine games (23.7 ppg). … Western’s Matthew Henry ranks No. 2 in the league in receiving with an 82 yards-per-game average. … WIU running back Cameren Smith is fourth among the league rushing leaders with a 76.8 yards-per-game average. … Saturday is “Protect and Serve Day” honoring veterans and first responders.
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.
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