Western Illinois cornerback Justin Richardson had a forced fumble and a recovery on the same play last week against Northwestern. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
Western Illinois cornerbacks coach Elven Walker has a unique – and random – test each week for his position group.
“I’ll throw them a ball when I know they’re not looking just to gauge how fast they can locate the football,” Walker said.
During all of Walker’s tests in preparation for the 2025 season, Justin Richardson passed with flying colors.
“Justin has an element to his game that he’s very conscious of where the ball is at all times,” Walker said.
Last week against Northwestern, Richardson showed off that skill when he stripped the ball from Wildcats wide receiver Chase Farrell and also recovered it for a WIU turnover.
“It’s just being a ballhawk,” Richardson said. “I’m a fiend for the ball. I saw they had a motion guy come across. He was kind of loose with the ball. (Defensive back) Esteban Guillory set the edge and that freed me up to be a free player. I tackled (Farrell) before he could make a move. It was a team effort.”
Richardson, a graduate transfer from NAIA Georgetown (Ky.) College, stood out at Northwestern by leading all players with 11 tackles to go with the turnover. He will join the Leathernecks when they play their home opener against non-scholarship FCS Valparaiso (1-1) Saturday in Macomb. (6 p.m., ESPN-Plus)
During Western’s 0-2 start against FBS opponents Illinois and Northwestern, Richardson has been a bright spot on a defense with numerous new faces.
“There were points (against NU) that last year would’ve turned into potentially big plays,” WIU head coach Joe Davis said. “We’re certainly more athletic and Justin has got some savvy and some moxie and some football smarts to him.”
Richardson, who played his last two seasons at Georgetown, said the defensive unit has quickly meshed together through the spring and into fall camp.
“We all come from different places,” said Richardson, who grew up in Georgia. “But we’ve made each other better. We all want the same thing. We all want to win.”
For Richardson, tackling has been a constant throughout his football career.
“From high school to here, coaches have always preached to me that offenses want to make us (cornerbacks) tackle. So you’ve got to love to tackle and embrace it. People think corners can’t tackle. We have to change that narrative.”
Along with starters Keith Moko and Richardson and backups Willie Jones and Rodney McNeil Jr., the Leathernecks have a group of several cornerbacks that could see the field on Saturdays. Walker said sophomore Chikala Warden Jr., redshirt freshman James Mankaka and true freshman Don Paul Keith have shown their ability to earn playing time.
“I have a very driven unit, and a unit that is willing to fight back,” Walker said. “The thing that we’re trying to uncover now is being the unit that throws the first punch.”
This week’s opponent
Valparaiso, an member of the Pioneer League, has been wildly inconsistent on offense. The Beacons roared to a 67-10 season-opening win against Virginia Lynchburg Aug. 30, then lost, 10-7, last weekend to D-III Adrian College of Michigan. … Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Gabriel Batres has compiled five tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles thus far this season. … Junior quarterback Rowan Keefe has been efficient in the passing game, completing 71.4% of his passes. He is one of only 14 FCS quarterbacks above 70% completions. However, he’s thrown four interceptions this season and only one touchdown. … Wyoming transfer Dawaiian McNeely (6-2, 215) is the team’s leading rusher with 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He had the only Valpo score in last week’s loss. … Western Illinois defensive coordinator Landon Fox spent seven seasons as Valpo’s head coach, going 21-42 during his tenure. He and the school parted ways after last season. Valpo’s new head coach, Andy Waddle, spent 12 seasons leading D-III Marietta College in Ohio.
Kickoff: 6 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981fm.com
Key matchup to watch
WIU QB Chris Irvin vs. Valpo secondary: After completing only 40% of his passes and not throwing a single TD against Illinois or Northwestern, this could be the game where Western’s first-year starting QB breaks out. Valpo is allowing opponents to complete 62% of their passes.
What’s at stake?
Western is seeking its first win of the season after opening the 2025 campaign with road games against a pair of Big Ten Conference programs – Illinois and Northwestern.
Quick hits
After leading the Ohio Valley Conference-Big South Football Association in several offensive categories last season, the WIU offense has yet to get on track. “I’m a little disappointed,” Davis said. “The team knows that. The expectations are higher.” QB Chris Irvin has passed for 161 yards and no TDs this season. Offensive line play, injuries at wide receiver and poor execution have all contributed, according to WIU’s coach. “We didn’t protect him well at all the first two weeks,” Davis said. “The jury’s still out on Chris. Can we protect him? Can we give him some help on the perimeter? When we do those things, he’s fully capable of being one of the better quarterbacks in this league.” … Three players – linebacker Christian Pierce and safeties Buju Aumua-Tuisavura and Malini Ti’a – lead the Leathernecks with 16 tackles each. Linebacker Kevin Washington Jr. and nickelback Esteban Guillory each have 15 tackles. … Another sticking point on offense, according to Davis, is the running game. Western is averaging 2.0 yards a carry and rushed for 98 yards in two games. … Davis said he expects transfer wide receivers Fabian Baez (Stetson) and A.J. Harris (Walsh University) to be gametime decisions Saturday as they recover from injuries. Defensive end Jalen Riven is “day to day” after foot/ankle injuries sustained against Northwestern, while defensive tackle Steven Oberst is not expected to play against Valpo. Running back Avery Knight, who was injured in fall camp, remains “week to week.”
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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