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Football Monday, March 23, 2015 WIU Athletic Communications

Spring Football Practice Begins Tuesday

Leathernecks open third spring season under head coach Bob Nielson

MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois Football will open the 2015 spring practice season on Tuesday morning (March 24) at Hanson Field. The Fighting Leathernecks begin their third spring season under head coach Bob Nielson. The program will hold 15 practices, including the Bruce Craddock Memorial Spring Game on Friday night, April 24.

Coming off a 5-7 season, in which Western played the fifth-toughest schedule in the country, the program returns 16 starters (9 offense/6 defense/1 special teams). Last year Western played eight nationally-ranked teams, and defeated two of those 'Top 25' opponents – both in Missouri Valley Football Conference play.

Coach Nielson Spring Preview video

The team will be led by three returning All-MVFC players, all rising juniors. They include: First Team wide receiver Lance Lenoir, Jr. and Honorable Mention selections Trenton Norvell (QB) and Matt Zobrist (OL). Both Lenoir and Norvell are potential candidates for the preseason Walter Payton Award watch list, given to the FCS National Player of the Year.

Western returns three rising seniors along the defensive line: Eddy Holtschlag, Kris Harley and Gavin Ricketts. Sophomore Brett Taylor started at middle linebacker during the final month of the season. A pair of true-freshmen last season started at safety, Aaron Diggs and David Griffith. Fellow sophomore Myles Spearman also started at safety before suffering a season-ending injury in the first half of the year.

In a recent Sports Network story, the Leathernecks were selected as one of the top six teams nationally ready to breakout in the 2015 season.

In all 43 letterwinners return for Western. Updates on Leatherneck football this spring can be found on GoLeathernecks.com or via Twitter at @WIUAthletics and @WIUFootball.

Fans wanting ticket information on the 2015 season can call the athletic department at (309) 298-1190.

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LETTERMEN RETURNING (43)
      OFFENSE (23): WR-Jaelon Acklin; OL-Josh Baldus; OL-Tyler Bode; WR-Joey Borsellino; OL-Brandon De La Cruz; OL-Jordan Detweiler; RB-Kyle Hammonds; TE-Larry Harris; TE-Taylor Hill; WR-Adam Hoogerwerf; OL-Jacob Judd; WR-Lance Lenoir, Jr.; WR-Quadarias Mireles; RB-Devon Moore; QB-Trenton Norvell; OL-Ryan Ricketts; RB-Devon Sanders; TE-Frankie Santoro; OL-Sean Sullivan; OL-James Torgerson; RB-Nikko Watson; WR-J'Vaughn Williams; OL-Matt Zobrist
      DEFENSE (17): LB-Brad Blumenshine; LB-Adam Brott; DL-Jean-Marc Charles; DB-Aaron Diggs; DB-David Griffith; DL-Kris Harley; DL-Eddy Holtschlag; DL-Mick Nelson; DB-Dallas Nichols; DB-Dwayne Phillips; LB-J.J. Raffelson**; DL-Gavin Ricketts; DB-Luis Sharpe; DB-Josh Smith; DB-Myles Spearman; LB-Brett Taylor; DL-Jordan Veloz
      SPECIALISTS (3): LS-Gabe Burkhardt; P/K-Nathan Knuffman; P/K-Luke Otto
** will not participate in spring 2015 drills, eligible to return in fall 2015

LETTERMEN LOST (15)
      OFFENSE (3): RB-J.C. Baker; OL-Sam Kachanuk; WR-Hi-C Scott;
      DEFENSE (12): DB-Richard Chungong; DL-Jeremy Curry; LB-DeAndre Daniels; DB-Martinez Davis; DL-Gino Durley, Jr; DL-Chip Holtschlag; LB-Kevin Kintzel; DB-David McDaniel; DB-Marquette Privott; DB-Jonathon Rollins; LB-Luke Venegoni; DB-Charlie Whitaker
      SPECIALISTS (0):

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Players Mentioned

#46 Luke Venegoni: LB; 6' 3"; Senior; Carmel

#4 Jonathon Rollins: DB; 5' 11"; Senior; Everglades

#17 Kevin Kintzel: LB; 6' 2"; Senior; Lincoln-Way West

#71 Chip Holtschlag: DL; 6' 3"; Senior; Notre Dame

#43 J.J. Raffelson: LB; 6' 3"; Junior; Lake Zurich

#5 Martinez Davis: DB; 5' 10"; Senior; North Hopkins / Air Force Prep

#10 Marquette Privott: DB; 6' 2"; Senior; Rich East / College of DuPage

#59 Sam Kachanuk: OL; 6' 3"; Senior; Havana

#22 David McDaniel: DB; 5' 11"; Senior; O'Fallon

#13 Jeremy Curry: DE; 6' 3"; Senior; Bolingbrook

#26 Charlie Whitaker: DB; 5' 9"; Junior; Macomb

#19 Hi-C Scott: WR; 5' 9"; Senior; Central / Scottsdale CC

Players Mentioned

#46 Luke Venegoni
: 6' 3"; Senior; Carmel
: LB

#4 Jonathon Rollins
: 5' 11"; Senior; Everglades
: DB

#17 Kevin Kintzel
: 6' 2"; Senior; Lincoln-Way West
: LB

#71 Chip Holtschlag
: 6' 3"; Senior; Notre Dame
: DL

#43 J.J. Raffelson
: 6' 3"; Junior; Lake Zurich
: LB

#5 Martinez Davis
: 5' 10"; Senior; North Hopkins / Air Force Prep
: DB

#10 Marquette Privott
: 6' 2"; Senior; Rich East / College of DuPage
: DB

#59 Sam Kachanuk
: 6' 3"; Senior; Havana
: OL

#22 David McDaniel
: 5' 11"; Senior; O'Fallon
: DB

#13 Jeremy Curry
: 6' 3"; Senior; Bolingbrook
: DE

#26 Charlie Whitaker
: 5' 9"; Junior; Macomb
: DB

#19 Hi-C Scott
: 5' 9"; Senior; Central / Scottsdale CC
: WR