Tight end Alex Williams has 16 receptions this season for Western Illinois, six of which have been touchdowns. That TD total leads the OVC-Big South Football Association. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
For four years in high school, Alex Williams played one offensive position – quarterback.
When it came time for his college recruitment, programs at the next level saw something different – a tight end.
“It was kind of scary at first, because I didn’t know how I’d perform at this position,” said Williams, a senior at Western Illinois. “It was a big change from my entire life playing quarterback. You’re used to not getting hit at practice and not hitting really at all.
“Then you’re in the trenches and you have to hit every day at practice. It was the best decision for me and the best outcome that I could have had happen.”
After three seasons at FBS Western Kentucky, Williams transferred to WIU. Now in his second season, Williams is enjoying a career year.
Among his 16 receptions this season, he has six touchdowns, which leads the Ohio Valley Conference-Big South Football Association. In four previous seasons, Williams had six receptions and no touchdowns.
“He’s really taken his game and his confidence level to new heights,” WIU head coach Joe Davis said. “He’s maximized his opportunities.”
Williams and the Leathernecks (1-7 overall, 0-4 OVC-Big South) travel to Nashville for a conference game against Tennessee State. Western is seeking its first league win and the end to a five-game losing streak.
Davis said many of the touchdown catches weren’t necessarily designed for Williams, but the senior “was in the right spot.”
“I just try to find levels in the defense,” Williams said.
Those discoveries have helped freshman quarterback Cason Carswell find his footing after taking over as the starter last month.
“I just try to encourage him,” Williams said of Carswell. “He’s very talented for the young age he’s at. You’ve just got to keep encouraging him so he plays the best he can.”
Williams spent all four years of high school – three at Geneva High School in Chicago’s western suburbs and one at Virginia’s Fork Union Military Academy – playing the same position as Carswell. That experience has helped Williams examine the field differently as a tight end.
“It helps me see things that most football players don’t see,” he said. “It’s a very good resource that I have.”
This week’s opponent
Tennessee State (2-5, 0-3) ended a five-game losing streak last weekend with a 24-7 win against Howard. Junior quarterback Byron McNair, a transfer from NAIA Kansas Wesleyan, threw three touchdown passes and rushed for a team-high 47 yards. For the season, McNair has five TD passes and five interceptions. … The Tigers have struggled mightily on offense, scoring only 11 touchdowns in seven games and averaging a conference-worst 14.1 points a game. They average only 255 total yards and 86 rushing yards a game, which rank 120th and 119th in the nation, respectively, among 126 FCS teams. … Senior defensive end James Stewart leads the OVC-Big South with 10.5 tackles per loss. … Tennessee State has been outscored 94-27 in conference games this season. … Junior linebacker Micah Gay was named the conference’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after his 11-tackle, two-interception performance against Howard.
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981fm.com
Key matchup to watch
WIU receiving corps vs. TSU defense: Western’s passing game, which has received a boost from freshman QB Cason Carswell, has five different players with at least 16 catches this season and five with at least one TD catch, despite several injuries at the position. Tennessee State’s defense allows opponents 12.6 yards per reception.
What’s at stake?
Both teams are seeking their first victory in conference play. A win Saturday would be WIU’s first OVC-Big South victory since last season.
Quick hits
Williams isn’t the only offensive player among the conference leaders. WIU running back Markell Holman ranks first in rushing yards (586), while receiver Christian Anaya leads the league with 5.5 receptions per game and kicker Antonio Chadha is tops in field goals per game (1.25). … Last week’s loss was the third straight game the Leathernecks lost despite leading and the second in a row in which they had a double-digit, fourth-quarter lead. “We haven’t been able to close that out,” Davis said. “I don’t believe we (as coaches) have put our guys in enough good positions late in the game to make plays.” … On Monday, Chadha was among 38 players named to the Fred Mitchell Award Midseason Watch List. The award is given annually to the top kicker in college football, regardless of level. … Despite starting only three games, freshman QB Cason Carswell has thrown for nine touchdowns and 1,256 yards this season, the third-highest yardage total in the conference. He has completed 69% of his passes and ranks third among all OVC-Big South quarterbacks in passing efficiency (147.15). On Wednesday, he was one of 22 players named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List. The award is given to the best freshman in FCS. … After facing Tennessee State, Western has its bye week Nov. 1, the latest of any Illinois FCS school. “We need that bye week to have a shot to really finish this season strong,” Davis said. “I really believe we can. We need to get a few guys back and healthy to create some depth and competitiveness. It will be a welcome week of rest.” In recent weeks, Western has been without 20-plus players because of injury, notably in the receiving corps and the defensive line. The injuries have forced WIU to play more than a dozen true freshmen.
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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