The Jackrabbits (3-1) return home to take on the Leathernecks of Western Illinois (0-4). WIU changed coaches in the offseason and brought on Myers Hendrickson who was the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan University where he led them to a 30-4 record and two Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship titles. He is an offensive minded coach and his teams have been high scoring and have moved the ball successfully through the air. Not necessarily related to this game, but he has made strides in recruiting and WIU has picked up some “wins” on the recruiting trail versus SIU and Illinois State this past summer. He’s going to have to supplement with transfers for awhile because this roster was pretty depleted.
Offense
The WIU offense has yet to hit it’s stride in 2022 but does still have big play capabilities. They are averaging 15.5 ppg, 93 rushing ypg (3 yards per carry), and 217.75 ypg passing. They only possess the ball 25:42 per game, convert on just 21% of their 3rd down attempts and have only scored on 4 of their 7 trips into the redzone with just 1 touchdown. WIU lost a number of starters on offense but none bigger than Dennis Houston who is now playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
The Leathernecks haven’t quite settled on a QB yet but #5 Clay Bruno (5-10, 185) has the most attempts and took the bulk of the snaps against UNI last week. He is a dual threat quarterback and on the year has completed 57% of his passes for 386 yards and 1 TD along with 5 INTs and has played in just two games. He is also the leading rushing with a gross yardage of 146 and 1 TD. His long run is 15 yards. #15 Nick Davenport (6-3, 232) has played in 3 games and is completing 45% of his passes for 317 yards and 4 TD vs. 2 INT but he did not play against UNI after going 1-6 vs. Southern Utah. #7 Henry Ogala (6-3, 219) is completing 58% of his passes for 168 yards and 2 TD and 2 INT. He went 2 for 2 last week against UNI with 1 TD. Henry is also a threat to run the ball with a 9 yard average on 6 attempts including a long of 31 yards.
The running back group has a familiar name in #34 Ludovick Choquette (5-10, 211) but he did not play last week against UNI. On the year he has 21 attempts for 59 yards (2.8 ypc). The leading rusher is #20 Erin Collins (6-2, 212) who has 65 yards on 28 attempts (2.3 ypc) and is an NIU transfer. Choquette has 5 receptions while Collins has 6.
The Leathernecks have a number of good receivers on their roster but the group is led by #18 Naseim Brantley (6-4, 200), a sacred Heart transfer. On the year he has 21 receptions for 388 yards and 5 TD. #9 Jafar Armstong (6-1, 220), a Illinois and Notre Dame transfer, has 10 receptions for 117 yards and 1 TD while #82 Jaylin Jackson (5-11, 185), a Reedley College transfer, has 10 receptions for 79 yards and #13 Jay Parker (5-5, 147), an Austin Peay transfer, has 8 receptions for 78 yards.
The offensive line has good size and experience and from left to right goes #74 Tyler Keinrath (6-3, 330), #64 Dimitrios Gkountoudis (6-2, 305), #76 Ty O’Janovac (6-3, 285), #75 Shawn Lee (6-3, 302) and #72 Chad Morrow (6-3, 310). O’Janovac and Lee are multi-year starters. This group has surrendered 10 sacks through 4 games so this should be another chance for the Chaingang to have a big day.
Defense
I recognize just two names on the WIU defense from previous seasons. They still play a 3-4 but the results have been similar. They are allowing 43.25 ppg, 221 yards rushing, and 297 yards passing per game. They have only recorded 2 sacks and 2 interceptions. Opponents are converting on 40.4% of their 3rd down opportunities and have scored on 18 of 21 trips into the redzone; 15 were touchdowns.
Upfront, they are big! #97 Jake Detiveaux (6-1, 291), #25 Cam Washington (6-5, 314) and #65 Garret Steffen (6-4, 268) are a load. Detiveaux has 10 tackles and 1 sack on the year while Washington has 6 stops and Steffen has 4. #6 Tre Henry (6-3, 290) has not played in two weeks but is listed on the depth chart. He has 7 tackles in 2 games and a forced fumble and QBH. #93 Tahjae Mullix (6-2, 247) is a true freshman that has seen action in all four games. He has 8 tackles, 2 TFL, .5 sack and a QBH.
#51 Chase Graham (6-3, 220), a DuPage transfer, plays the “flex” position and leads the team in total tackles with 34, including 2 TFL. The other linebackers are #17 Juan DeLaCruz (6-2, 230) and #11 Cole Watts (6-1, 224). DeLaCruz and Watts have played for the Leathernecks in previous seasons and have have 27 and 19 tackles. They both can get after the QB with DeLaCruz having 6 QBHs and Watts having 2. #54 Sam Cook (6-4, 217) also sees plenty of action and he has 19 tackles and 2 TFL. #19 Anthony Quinney (6-2, 210) plays a highbred role known as the “rover” in the WIU defense. I don’t know what this means but he is the second leading tackler for 32 yards, 2 TFL, 1 PBU.
The secondary returns standout corner, #1 JJ Ross (6-2, 195). Ross has 2 INT, 19 tackles, and 5 more PBU. Opposite him is #10 Jalen McKie (5-7, 160) and he has 18 stops and 4 PBU this year. The safeties are active in #5 Bryce Cross (5-11, 180 and #38 TJ Limehouse Jr. (6-0, 190). Limehouse, a West Florida transfer, is the 3rd leading tackler and has 29 tackles while Cross has 21 tackles, 1 PBU, and 1 fumble recovery. They are not very deep in the secondary at this point of the season.
Special Teams
The special teams of WIU has been up and down. #89 Jack Beulke is the punter and has a 36.29 average forcing 12 to be fair caught and landed 2 inside the 20. #9 Mason Laramie is 3-4 on field goals with a long of 47. His lone miss was blocked. He also handled the kickoff duties and on 13 attempts has forced 8 touchbacks.
Brantley Nasseim is the primary punt returner with 4 returns for 26 yards including a long of 11 yards. The kick return duties belong to Jay Parker and Jafar Armstrong. Parker has a 21.25 yard average and a long of 35 while Armstrong has a 23.14 yard average for 47 yards.
Predictions
WIU is going through a transition and has a lot of new players. Things have not gelled yet. The Jacks are coming off of their biggest win of the season and have a slate of tough opponents on the horizen. They need to get up big and let guys rest. They also need to get out of this game healthy.
Jackrabbits 52- Leathernecks 0
Go Jacks!
Matt
