Western Illinois quarterback Cason Carswell throws under pressure from Illinois State defensive lineman Travis Jones in the Redbirds’ 41-10 win Saturday in Macomb. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Barry Bottino
MACOMB — Western Illinois is 1-1 to start a season for the first time since 2017.
The Leathernecks are hardly satisfied, though, especially after Saturday’s 41-10 loss to No. 5 Illinois State.
A slow offensive start for the second straight week hindered WIU, which has yet to score on offense in a first quarter.
“It’s very obvious that we have a lot of work to do,” third-year Western head coach Joe Davis said. “We’ve taken a lot of pride in starting fast here. It’s something we’d like to build on. We’ve got to take a long look at ourselves first.”
Over the past two seasons, Western’s offense has scored on at least one of its first two offensive drives 13 times. This season, the Leathernecks are 1-for-4 on those drives through two games.
“We need to execute a little bit better,” quarterback Kennedy McGill said. “That starts with us.”
Third downs were a struggle for Western’s offense, which managed a 27% success rate (4 of 15) against Illinois State.
Ten penalties Saturday also slowed WIU on multiple occasions.
“We have to get more disciplined and start playing a little faster,” said wide receiver Jacob Kania, who had a team-best four receptions for 54 yards. “It’s mostly discipline.”
Davis said the Western staff will take a close look at personnel as the team prepares this week for a Saturday trip to FBS Wisconsin (6:15 pm., Big Ten Network).
“I always look at the coaches first,” he said. “Are we doing everything we can to maximize the talents and the skills of our players? That will be a focus going forward to help us get off to a better start.”
For McGill, improved offensive efficiency involves plenty of film study.
“We will go back, watch the film and learn from it,” he said. “The good thing about the season is there is more football to be played. We’ve got to really learn from our mistakes.”
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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