Pass rusher Malik McKinzie (14) was a first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference player last season at Charleston Southern. Last week, he played his first game for WIU. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
When Malik McKinzie stepped onto the field last week in Macomb wearing purple from head to toe, he was right where he wanted to be.
A few weeks ago, he had no idea he’d be there.
McKinzie was a first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference defensive end last season at Charleston Southern. He entered the transfer portal in hopes of earning a fifth season of eligibility and wound up ineligible due to a court ruling.
So, he pursued additional legal action.
“I was denied twice before I won the third case (earlier this month),” McKinzie said. “I was so thankful to God that I got another chance. There are a lot of people who didn’t get that opportunity.”
In his first game of the season last week against UT Martin, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound McKinzie played approximately 30 snaps and made an immediate impact for the Leathernecks (4-4 overall, 2-1 OVC). He collected three tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and his first career interception.
“I got here two weeks ago,” McKinzie said. “As soon as I got here, people were looking out for me, helping me with the plays. Of course, it’s a really big adjustment. The guys have accepted me pretty fast. I know it’s a weird situation.”
On Saturday, the Leathernecks hit the road to face McKinzie’s former team in Charleston, S.C. CSU is also 4-4 but has a 1-2 league record.
Western was able to add McKinzie because of another player not being eligible – former WIU linebacker Kevin Washington Jr., who is not part of any current eligibility cases.
Western coach Joe Davis said when the university opted into the House settlement, they were required to carry 105 players on the roster.
“We originally thought Kevin Washington was going to be part of that 105,” Davis said. “We, as a staff, made a decision to hold that last roster spot just in case a very significant player were to become available.”
In McKinzie, a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end, Western added a player who had 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks a year ago.
“Rushing the passer is my best ability,” he said. “But I also grew up playing middle linebacker. I’m just here to help the team in whatever way I can. I want to make an impact.”
The addition adds more depth to an already strong rush group, according to Davis.
“Right away, we knew he was going to be a great fit,” he said. “Adding Malik to that group has been awesome.”
Along with McKinzie, the Leathernecks have sacks this season from defensive end Jalen Nicolas, linebackers Joe Edwards and Anthony Stribling, along with six others.
The addition allowed Western to move Justin Buckner, who has 10 quarterback hurries and 3.5 sacks, to middle linebacker, according to Davis.
“This team is good enough,” said Davis, whose team is tied for second place in the league standings with four games to go. “Our defense is long and athletic and physical. Malik fits in perfectly with what we’re doing.”
Kickoff: 1 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981fm.com
Key matchup to watch
Western Illinois offense vs. LB Steve Zayachkowsky: Over the past three years, CSU’s standout linebacker has 263 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. A preseason All-American, Zayachkowsky ranks second in the conference in total tackles (74) and tackles per game (9.3). WIU blockers have to keep him occupied to have success in the run game.
What’s at stake?
A win would allow Western to stay in contention for the OVC title with fellow hopefuls SEMO (3-0 OVC), Lindenwood (2-1) and UT Martin (2-1). Western has lost to SEMO and defeated Martin thus far.
Quick hits
Davis credited the Western offensive line for how they “quietly put together two solid games” this month. “They went through some tough spots early in the season,” Davis said. “We gave up sacks. We weren’t as consistent running the football.” The Leathernecks are led up front by center Michael Forney, right guard Dylan Lieggi and right tackle James Durand, along with left guard Ryan McCombs and left tackle Tyler Sulsberger. … WIU quarterback Kennedy McGill, who was named the OVC and national FCS Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, has the three top rushing performances in the conference this season – 210 yards last week against UT Martin, 188 vs. Tennessee State and 183 vs. Southeast Missouri. He’s the top rushing QB (111.2 yards a game) and the eighth-ranked rusher in all of FCS. He ranks seventh nationally in total offense per game (315 yards per game). McGill has already broken the school record for rushing TDs by a quarterback. His 11 touchdowns surpassed eight by Nate Lamb in 2024. … The Leathernecks will play three of their last four games on the road, where Western is 0-3 this season. … WIU was chosen sixth in the OVC preseason poll and is now contending for a league title. “The preseason conference picks today are so irrelevant,” Davis said. “I don’t think any head coach could tell you in July if we even knew everybody on each other’s roster.” … Davis shared the news Tuesday of the recent passing of his mother, Patricia, who battled Stage 4 cancer for “a little over a year. She was the best mom a coach could ask for,” he said. “For 25 years, my mom never missed a game. She was in my heart and on my mind (against UT Martin). She was looking down on us.”
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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