Sophomore Avery Knight returns after an injury that curtailed last season. Knight is expected to be a key part of the Western Illinois running back rotation. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Dan Verdun
MACOMB – While the last two Western Illinois seasons have produced one main ball carrier, this year’s Leathernecks may well be a three-man show.
“I think every coach in the country would tell you he wants to be balanced on offense,” third-year head coach Joe Davis said during Saturday’s WIU media day.
The reality is that balance isn’t always possible.
“You have to do what your players do best,” Davis said.
In 2024, Davis’ first year at Western, Cameren Smith took 47% of the Leatherneck rushing attempts. Last fall, Markell Holman accounted for 62% of the carries en route to an Ohio Valley Conference-leading 1,063 rushing yards.
“We’re deeper at running back (this season),” Davis said of a backfield that will feature returnee Avery Knight along with transfers Ihson E. Jackson-Anderson (Wofford) and Joshua Robinson (Lamar).
“I really like the running game. We’ve got a three-headed dragon back there,” offensive lineman Dorian Arguelles said. “We’ve got good communication up front, so I think it’s going to be pretty good this year.”
Knight, a junior, saw his 2025 season derailed by a leg injury suffered late in fall camp. While he was expected to carry the load last season, his injury opened the door for Holman, who has since transferred to FBS Wyoming.
Jackson-Anderson, who began his career at FBS Eastern Michigan, rushed for 677 yards and three touchdowns last year for FCS Wofford, where he earned second-team All-Southern Conference honors.
Robinson, a senior, rushed for 186 yards and four touchdowns at Lamar last fall. The Bolingbrook High School graduate began his career at Illinois State three years ago.
“I definitely feel we have a great back room with three guys that are ready to go at any point. It keeps us all ready,” Knight said. “We all feel confident in each other.”
Carswell on the case
Davis said sophomore Cason Carswell will start at quarterback in Thursday’s 6 p.m. season opener at Hanson Field against NAIA Northwestern (Iowa) College.
Carswell, listed at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, was last season’s OVC Offensive Freshman of the Year. The Michigan native passed for 2,054 yards and 16 touchdowns in 10 games.
“Cason had an excellent fall camp,” Davis said. “He’s taken such a massive step in the mental side of the game.”
Fifth-year senior Kennedy McGill, a transfer from Division II Central Washington, will back up Carswell.
“Kennedy is going to play. I don’t know what that rep rotation will look like,” Davis said. “Kennedy might be one of the best athletes on this team. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast.”
McGill, listed at 6-1 and 225 pounds, was a finalist last season for the Harlon Hill Award, annually given to the top Division II player. The Bothell, Wash. native showed balance in his game – passing for 1,637 yards while rushing for 1,040 yards. He accounted for 34 touchdowns, equally split through the air and on the ground.
Davis said both players “have earned the opportunity to play” at the front end of the season.
“I don’t know how that will shake out,” Davis said. “My challenge to the quarterbacks is that you have to be a master of the operation of the offense.”
Whichever quarterback is at the helm, Knight said a strong passing game helps to establish an effective running game.
“It definitely spaces the defense out for us to get better opportunities for outside zone and inside zone (runs),” Knight said.
Fresh carpet
Western Illinois installed a new hybrid turf playing surface at Hanson Field this summer.
Davis said the team gathered with arms linked and walked the field for the first time two weeks ago.
“We started in the south end zone and talked about first, and foremost, how much respect we have for the great teams and players and coaches that have come before us,” he said. “But, we’re moving forward. This is our opportunity to christen this field with spirit, enthusiasm and positivity that is going to really generate a lot of success for this program.”
The players – especially those that have been at WIU for several seasons – share in Davis’ zeal for the turf and what it represents.
“It’s beautiful, man,” senior defensive lineman Keshawn Harrington-McKinney said with a laugh. “The old turf was nice to be a part of history and to be able to play on that same turf, but now it’s a new step. We’re all excited to make new history on this turf.”
Arguelles, a senior from Edwardsville, added: “The new turf is sweet. We played on the same turf for the first three years I was here and it was time (for the replacement). The new turf gives us added motivation to have a good record.”
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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