Western Illinois receiver Christian Anaya has battled back from an injury earlier this season to return to the Leatherneck lineup. Anaya ranks second on the team with 15 receptions for 135 yards in five games. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Dan Verdun
Western Illinois receiver Christian Anaya missed two games with a hamstring injury earlier this season.
WIU head coach Joe Davis knows the benefits of having the fifth-year player back in the lineup for Saturday’s 2 p.m. Ohio Valley Conference game between WIU (3-3 overall, 1-0 OVC) and Southeast Missouri (3-3, 1-0) in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
“It means a lot,” Davis said. “This year, top to bottom, this is our deepest receiving corps just in terms of talent . . . There’s a lot of talent in that room, but not a lot of experience so having a guy like Christian in there is a big positive.”
While he values Anaya’s pass-catching abilities, Davis also praised the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder’s perimeter blocking as well as noting the Arizona native having started games at all four receiver positions.
“He knows our offense exceedingly well,” Davis said. “Christian is what you would call a very savvy veteran wide receiver. He understands leverage. He understands space. What he might lack in certain physical characteristics, he makes up for in football intelligence.”
Anaya admits he’s not much of a vocal leader but rather lets his play help guide the younger receivers.
“I show the (pass) routes to the kids, the younger guys,” he said. “I show them the right things on and off the field . . . We want the whole offense clicking together.”
Dealing with injuries is nothing new for Anaya. He missed four games with a broken collarbone last season.
“My goals haven’t changed at all,” he said. “It’s a conference championship, make the playoffs and go on a run. That’s always been the dream and the goal every year.”
Kickoff: 2 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981fm.com
Key matchup to watch
WIU defense vs. SEMO QB Braylen Ragland
The Western defense ranks third nationally in total defense (257.3 yards per game).
Ragland, an Alabama State transfer who began his career at FBS Georgia State, has completed 63% of his passes for 1,272 yards this season. The senior has thrown for six touchdowns while being intercepted eight times.
“SEMO put together their best game of the season last Saturday against Lindenwood,” Davis said of the Redhawks 38-27 victory. “I’ve been in this league long enough to know when you play Coach Tuke it’s going to be physical. They’re going to be well prepared.
“They very typically always have very solid quarterback play. They find different guys, maybe with different skill sets, but end up having the same, efficient result.”
What’s at stake
A victory boosts Western to a 2-0 start in the OVC standings. The last time the Leathernecks started with a pair of wins in league play came as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2015. WIU won its first three league games that season.
Quick hits
Western has been in 10 games in which the result has been within one score, according to Davis. “Anytime you win a game, whether it’s a come-from-behind or a one-point game or a three-score game, it gives the players confidence,” Davis said. “There’s some reinforcement just from what you’re doing from a process standpoint that it leads to success on Saturday.” … SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz has been impressed with the play of Western quarterback Kennedy McGill. “Two things: I’ve never met the man, but I know he is an elite competitor because just the fact that he would come to Western Illinois with their starter (Cason Carswell) coming back (from a Freshman All-American season) tells you about his belief in himself and he was willing to compete for the job. Secondly, he’s just hard to defend. He’s clearly one of the best backs in the league and he throws it good. . . . It’s going to be a fun game. I can’t wait to watch the dude play.” … McGill, a transfer from Division II Central Washington, leads the Leathernecks in rushing (497 yards) and passing (1,227 yards). McGill has accounted for 14 touchdowns (5 rushing, 9 passing).
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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