Senior defensive back Jouvenson Romulus snagged an interception against Illinois State, thwarting the Redbirds at the 2-yard line. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Dan Verdun
Western Illinois safety Jouvenson Romulus described his goal-line interception against nationally ranked Illinois State in simple terms.
“I saw the quarterback looking one way the whole time, so I just went to get the ball. I was smiling when the ball was in the air,” Romulus told Prairie State Pigskin.
WIU head coach Joe Davis saw it as one of the few highlights of Saturday’s 41-10 loss to the rival Redbirds.
“It was a great interception that he had to prevent a score,” Davis said of the pass that traveled over 30 yards in the air.
Western (1-1) will need more such plays when it kicks off at 6:15 p.m. Saturday against FBS Wisconsin in Madison.
The Badgers (0-1) lost their season opener, 41-13, to nationally ranked Notre Dame Sunday night at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
Like his head coach, Romulus said the key to success is eliminating mistakes.
“We’ve got to get rid of the penalties and beating ourselves,” the senior said.
Romulus, a Hyde Park, Mass., native, played the last three seasons at FCS Wagner before transferring to WIU.
“We’re excited about Jouvie. We signed him in the offseason knowing we were getting a veteran safety,” Davis said. “He has a great skill set to be a very high-level FCS and (Ohio Valley Conference) safety for us this season.”
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Romulus said he felt a connection right away with Davis and his coaching staff. He is especially pleased with defensive coordinator Landon Fox, who is also the Leathernecks’ safeties coach.
“He’s one of the best coaches that I’ve ever had,” Romulus said. “He makes learning fun, but he’s one of those coaches that if you’re not performing to the top of your ability, he’s going to get on you.”
As for playing in front of a Big Ten crowd Saturday, Romulus said he can draw from his experience of playing at the University of Kansas last fall.
“I’m just keeping my head down and not worrying about the big crowd,” he said.
Kickoff: 6:15 p.m.; TV: Big Ten Network; Radio: Q981fm.com
Key matchup to watch
WIU run defense vs. Wisconsin RB Abu Sama
The Leathernecks gave up 239 yards on the ground in last week’s loss to nationally ranked Illinois State. Sama, a transfer from Iowa State, ran for 49 yards against No. 4 Notre Dame and is expected to be the Badgers’ home run threat in the backfield.
What’s at stake
A Western victory would be the first against a Big Ten Conference opponent. The Leathernecks are 0-12 all-time versus Big Ten foes.
“These guarantee games for us, when we schedule these things out, I typically like to play them regionally. It’s good for Western Illinois to play the Illinoises, the Northwesterns, the Wisconsins, the Indianas from a recruiting and alumni standpoint. It’s nice to not to have to get on an airplane.”
Quick hits
Saturday’s game marks the fourth WIU-Wisconsin matchup. The teams first met in 1991 with the Badgers besting the Leathernecks, 31-13. Wisconsin won in 2006 (34-10) and in 2014 (37-3). … WIU will receive a $575,000 payout from Wisconsin. That’s the largest amount any Illinois FCS team is getting from an FBS opponent this season. … The Leathernecks have been whistled for 17 penalties for 146 yards in two games. “That’s been the focus in all our meetings this week,” Romulus said. … Quarterback Kennedy McGill leads WIU with 116 rushing yards and three touchdowns. … Senior Christian Anaya tops the team with nine receptions for 166 yards. Anaya left the loss to Illinois State with an injury and did not return. … Junior Ronan Culkin is 2-for-2 on field goal attempts this season. … Defensive back LeBron Morgan and linebacker Nick Reinicke are WIU co-leaders with 12 tackles.
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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