Western Illinois linebacker Nick Reinicke (10) leads the team in tackles (76) and tackles for loss (11.5). The Iowa State transfer is tied for the team lead in sacks (3.5) and forced fumbles (two). He is second with nine quarterback hurries. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Dan Verdun
Linebacker Nick Reinicke is a major reason why Western Illinois has turned its defense into one of the Ohio Valley Conference’s best.
Third-year head coach Joe Davis said Reinicke has brought “ultimate stability and knowledge” to the Leathernecks.
“Nick is like having a starting quarterback in there at middle linebacker,” Davis said.
Reinicke, who transferred from Iowa State, considers himself to be “a cerebral player,” citing “my ability to recognize offensive plays and tell what’s coming before it’s actually happening.”
The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder credits defensive coordinator Landon Fox with both the team’s success as well as that of his own.
“He’s made us better,” Reinicke said. “I always like to be in the film room, but with Coach Fox I’m able to know my job and make plays within my job really fast.”
Reinicke, a team captain, figures to be a key player when the Leathernecks (5-4 overall, 3-1 Ohio Valley Conference) face rival Eastern Illinois (3-6, 2-2) at 2 p.m. Saturday at O’Brien Field in Charleston.
“He plays every snap,” Davis said of Reinicke. “He’s long. He can run. He’s physical and instinctive and is an excellent communicator.”
WIU ranks second among OVC leaders in total defense (303.3 yards/game). In addition, the Leathernecks feature the league’s top statistical run defense (120.6 yards/game).
More importantly, Western finds itself in a three-way tie for first place in the OVC with Southeast Missouri and Lindenwood.
“We just have to keep getting better every week,” Reinicke said. “We always talk about our opponent as nameless and faceless. We have to work on worrying about us and make sure we don’t beat ourselves.”
Kickoff: 2 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981fm.com
Key matchup to watch
WIU defense vs. EIU’s “new-look offense”
In its 45-16 romp over UT Martin last Saturday, Eastern Illinois opened up its game by spreading its offense. This from a team that entered the game averaging less than 17 points per game.
“They’re versatile. They have some good backs and their quarterback is experienced. The O-line is big and physical,” Reinicke said of the Panthers. “They can spread us out and then bring it back in and run the ball. We’re going to have to be ready for everything.”
What’s at stake
A Western victory would keep the Leathernecks atop the OVC standings and snap a two-game losing streak to rival EIU.
Quick hits
Davis was the EIU offensive coordinator for two seasons on head coach Chris Wilkerson’s staff before becoming the WIU’s head coach in 2024. … Western leads the OVC in total offense (469.6 yards a game) and scoring offense (35.3 points per game). … WIU quarterback Kennedy McGill won the OVC Offensive Player of the Week award for the third straight week after the Leathernecks’ 42-35 win at Charleston Southern. McGill surpassed the 400-yard mark for total offense for the fourth straight week, accounting for 475 yards and five touchdowns as Western won its first road game of the season to move into a tie for first place in the OVC. The fifth-year player completed 14-of-20 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown and carried the ball a season-high 35 times for a career-high 295 yards (8.4 average) and four touchdowns. … McGill’s 295 rushing yards were just 22 yards shy of the OVC single-game record and the most by any Division I player (FBS or FCS) this season. Nationally, McGill ranks second in total offense (332.8 yards per game) and third in rushing yards a game (131.7). … WIU leads the all-time rivalry with EIU, 42-23-4. However, the Panthers have won both OVC matchups since the Leathernecks joined the conference in 2024. … The two longest rushes by OVC players this season are 88 yards by Eastern running back Charles Kellom against Murray State and 84 yards by McGill in last weekend’s win at Charleston Southern.
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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