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Brett Taylor

Football WIU Athletic Communications

No. 9/10 Western Illinois Honors 22 Leathernecks On Senior Day

Leathernecks close regular season by hosting Southern Illinois

Game 11
Western Illinois Leathernecks vs. Southern Illinois Salukis
November 18, 2017  •  1:00 pm  •  Macomb, Ill.  •  Hanson Field
TV: ESPN3.com
RADIO: Announcers (Scott Kornberg, Dr. Tom Cody)
Beardstown - WRMS (94.3 FM); Macomb - WJEQ (102.7 FM); Galesburg - WAIK (1590 AM); Quincy - WPWQ (106.7 FM); Clinton, Iowa - (KCLN 1390 AM)
INTERNET: WRMSFM.com or TuneIn Radio App (Google store and iTunes)
LIVE STATS: GoLeathernecks.com
GAME NOTES:  Western Illinois 
THE SERIES: Heading into the 63rd meeting all-time between the two programs, Western Illinois leads the all-time series with Southern Illinois by a 35-23-4 margin. From 1984 through 2001, the Leathernecks won 18 consecutive games against the Salukis. However, Southern Illinois has taken 13 of the 15 meetings since then, including a 44-34 contest that dashed Western Illinois' postseason hopes last season. The Leathernecks have earned victories in two of their last three contests agaisnt the Salukis.

THE RANKINGS: Western Illinois ranks ninth in the STATS FCS 'Top 25' poll and 10th in the FCS Coaches poll. Southern Illinois is unranked.

DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS: Western Illinois followed up a five-sack game at Illinois State, their most since recording six in the 2015 FCS Playoffs at Dayton, with five more sacks against Indiana State. A year after recording just 13 sacks, the Leathernecks have now put together a 29-sack campaign this year. Western Illinois' 2.9 sacks per game rank 20th nationally. The Leathernecks also had 11 tackles for a loss against the Sycamores, their second straight contest with double-digit TFLs and their fourth this season. Western Illinois is compiling 8.5 tackles for loss per game, fifth in the FCS.

SCOUTING THE SALUKIS: Normally a pass-heavy offensive team, Southern Illinois has struggled with quarterback Sam Straub out for the season with an injury. The Salukis have tried to rely on Tanner Hearn, who is completing just 44 percent of his passes for 456 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions, and Matt DeSomer, who is completing 48 percent of his passes for just 158 yards. Daquan Isom leads the Salukis with 491 rushing yards on a 4.6 average. Southern Illinois' leading receiver is Darrell James, who has hauled in 44 passes for 724 yards and seven touchdowns. On defense, Ryan Neal is the Salukis' leading tackler with 75 stops. He has also picked off three passes. The squad's best pass rusher is Anthony Knighton, who has 11 tackles for a loss, including 6.5 sacks. Southern Illinois is the best team in the nation in punt return defense, yielding just 2.1 yards per return.

THE PLAYOFF PUSH: In addition to the STATS FCS 'Top 25' poll and FCS Coaches poll, four separate metric systems can also be used in the argument for at-large FCS playoff bids. At 6-3 overall, Western Illinois has become playoff eligible, boasting strong wins at Northern Arizona, at Coastal Carolina, at Northern Iowa and at Illinois State. While the Leathernecks rank ninth in the STATS FCS 'Top 25' poll and 10th in the FCS Coaches poll, Western is placed significantly higher when using other FCS metrics, which factor in strength of schedule. The Leathernecks are ranked No. 4 in the FCS by Sagarin, fifth by Massey, seventh by BennettRank and 16th by Compughter for a composite ranking of 8.0.

THANK YOU SENIORS: Prior to the 2017 season finale against Southern Illinois, Western Illinois will honor 22 seniors playing in their final regular season home game at Hanson Field. The Leathernecks will recognize running back Devon Sanders, wide receivers Jaelon Acklin and Jarid Brown, tight ends Cal Breedlove, Trey Dunkelberger and Tony Harper, offensive lineman Josh Baldus, Jordan Detweiler, Lucas Holder, Jacob Judd and James Torgerson, defensive lineman Mick Nelson and Colin Olson, linebackersAdam Brott and Brett Taylor, defensive backs Aaron Diggs, David Griffith, Tyrin Holloway, Brandon Mayes and Josh Smith and former players-turned-student managersBrody Carls and Myles Spearman. These seniors have helped Western Illinois to three consecutive winning seasons, a berth in the 2015 FCS Playoffs and a pair of top-10 national rankings in each of the last two seasons.

DEFENSE MECHANISMS: Western Illinois' historic 45-0 win at Indiana State saw the Leathernecks pitch their first shutout since 2010. In the effort, the Leathernecks held Indiana State to just 43 rushing yards on 36 carries, the third game this year that the Leathernecks have held an opponent below 50 rushing yards. Prior to this season, Western Illinois hadn't had such a contest since 2014. Western Illinois also forced Sycamores quarterback Cade Sparks to just 8-of-17 passing for just 90 yards and two interceptions, marking the first time since 2013 that Western's defense kept an opponent below 100 passing yards. In total, Indiana State recorded just 133 total yards, the first time since 2010 that Western Illinois held an opponent below 200 yards of total offense. Dating back to their contest against Illinois State, the haven't allowed a point in their last 96 minutes and 43 seconds of game time.

ROAD TRIP: In the 113 prior seasons of Western Illinois football before this campaign, the Leathernecks had never won more than five road games in one season. However, Western Illinois' 45-0 shutout of Indiana State marked their program-record sixth away triumph this season. In head coach Charlie Fisher's tenure, the Leathernecks are now 10-3 on the road.

ON THE OFFENSIVE: Western Illinois racked up 45 points in their victory at Indiana State, marking the fourth time this season that the Leathernecks have tallied 40 or more points. It also represented the sixth occasion with at least 38 points scored. The last time Western Illinois scored 40 or more points in a game that many times in a season was during the 2010 campaign, when the Leathernecks mustered five outbursts or 40-plus points.

THIRD EYE BLIND: Coming off a performance in which they held Indiana State to just 1-of-12 on third down, Western Illinois has proven to be one of the best third down teams in the nation. The Leathernecks rank 21st nationally in third-down defense by holding opponents to a 32.6 percent success rate. Meanwhile, on offense, Western Illinois' 41.9 percent conversion rate on third down in 28th in the FCS.

POINTS OF VIEW: Backing Western Illinois' strong 7-3 record is a strong +132 point differential (363-231), meaning the Leathernecks have been 13.2 points per game better than their opponents this season. Interestingly enough, Western Illinois has been significantly better in the second half than the first half this year. The Leathernecks have narrowly outscored their opponents by a 132-124 in the first half this year. However, over the final 30 minutes of contests, that figure has swelled to 231-107. Thus, the Leathernecks average 23.1 points per second half, and yield just 10.7.

CATCH A STAR: Wide receiver Jaelon Acklin entered this season with 21 career catches for 364 yards and two receiving touchdowns. However, the senior has blown up in 2017, catching 63 balls for 1,096 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. The Mountain View, Mo., native is third in the nation in receiving yards (1,160), fifth in receiving yards per game (116.0), ninth in total touchdowns (12), 10th in both receptions per game (6.8) and all-purpose yards per game (136.90) and 15th in receiving touchdowns (nine). Acklin is the eighth Leatherneck to ever post a 1,000-yard receiving season, and he is just 25 yards away from breaking the single-season school record from receiving yards in a campaign.

RED ALERT: Western Illinois has taken advantage of nearly every opportunity when bringing the ball inside the opponent's 20-yard line this season. The Leathernecks are third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and rank 14th nationally in red zone scoring at 88.6 percent. Western Illinois has only missed in the red zone four times this season in 35 trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line. The best red zone performance of the season for the Leathernecks came at Coastal Carolina, where they finished 7-for-7 in the red zone.

McGUIRE, ACKLIN NAMED TO WATCH LIST: Western Illinois quarterback Sean McGuire and wide receiver Jaelon Acklin have each been named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Midseason Watch List for the FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy. The Leathernecks are the only team to have two players on the list, which is made up of five student-athletes. McGuire ranks seventh nationally in yards per attempt (9.06), eighth in passing efficiency (164.0), 10th in completion percentage (65.8 percent), 13th in passing touchdowns (22), 18th in passing yards (2,492), 20th in passing yards per game (249.2) and 26th in total offense per game (254.9). Overall, the junior quarterback has fired 22 touchdowns against six interceptions. Acklin is third in the nation in receiving yards (1,160), fifth in receiving yards per game (116.0), ninth in total touchdowns (12), 10thin both receptions per game (6.8) and all-purpose yards per game (136.90) and 15th in receiving touchdowns (nine).

TAKE IT AWAY: Western Illinois' +14 turnover margin is the best mark in the MVFC and fourth-best in the nation. The Leathernecks' 24 takeaways are ninth-highest nationally, and Western's 10 giveaways are the ninth-lowest in the FCS. In fact, the Leathernecks are outscoring opponents 82-17 in points off turnovers. Western Illinois has now forced at least one turnover in 50 of their last 57 games. They have multiple takeaways in 17 of the last 28 contests, including 27 total over the past 11 games.

RACK UP THE YAC: Through the first three contests of the year, Western Illinois registered 19 plays of at least 20 yards, a rate of 6.3 per game. However, over their last five contests, the Leathernecks have compiled 71 plays of 20-plus yards, an average of 10.1 per game. Wide receiver Jaelon Acklin has been responsible for 28 plays of 20 or more yards, with 24 of those coming on passing plays. He has 10 touchdowns of at least 20 yards.

???????McGUIRE'S ON FIRE: With 6,565 career passing yards, Western Illinois quarterback Sean McGuire is the sixth Leatherneck signal caller to reach 6,000 career passing yards. He is currently in fourth place in school history in that category, 412 from moving into the top three all-time. Additionally, McGuire's 211.8 career passing yards per contest and 222.2 yards of total offense per game are both the best in program history. He was named MVFC co-Offensive and Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 24 and Oct. 8, respectively. Additionally, against South Dakota, McGuire's 441 passing yards were the third-most in a single game in program history, with his 31 completions one away from tying the record.

LEATHERNECK QUICK HITTERS:

• Thanks to the efforts of Steve McShane, Western Illinois leads the conference and ranks third nationally with 18.6 yards per punt return. McShane, who returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown at Indiana State, - the seventh-longest punt return in Western Illinois history, and the longest for a score since 2009 - is averaging 20.8 yards per return.

• Time of possession is a very important stat to Leathernecks head coach Charlie Fisher. Western Illinois has won the time of possession battle five times this year, holding the ball for 37:20 against Tennessee Tech, 39:03 at Northern Arizona, 33:03 at Coastal Carolina, 31:38 at Northern Iowa, 31:37 at Illinois State and 35:49 at Indiana State. Last year's season-best was 36:50 at Missouri State. The Leathernecks rank 21st nationally in time of possession with their 31:33 average.

• Western Illinois ranks in the top 40 in scoring offense (12th, 36.3 points per game), passing offense (26th, 253.6 yards per game), third down conversion rate (28th, 41.9 percent) and total offense (37th, 413.0 per game). On defense, the Leathernecks boast a strong rush defense that ranks 22nd nationally by yielding 117.2 yards per game on the ground. The Leatherneck defense leads the conference and is seventh nationally with 8.5 tackles for a loss per game. Western Illinois is also 20th nationally with 2.90 sacks per game and 21st in third down defense at 32.6 percent.

• In 31 career games (25 career starts), Sean McGuire has registered 10 career 300-yard passing games. The Franklin, Wisconsin native's 48 career passing touchdowns are third in school history, just six away from passing former teammate Trenton Norvell for second place. McGuire is also tied for third place in program history for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (eight), four away from Steve LaFalce in second place in school history.

• On his first career field goal attempt, Western Illinois kickoff specialist Nathan Erickson blasted a 52-yarder at North Dakota State, becoming the first Leatherneck to boot a 50-plus yarder since Taylor Rowan connected from 54 yards in the FargoDome in 2008. Erickson, normally the kickoff specialist for the Leathernecks, has recorded 36 touchbacks this season, tied with Sacramento State for the most in the nation.
 
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Players Mentioned

Jaelon Acklin

#17 Jaelon Acklin

WR
6' 2"
Senior
Liberty
Josh Baldus

#55 Josh Baldus

OL
6' 5"
Senior
Palatine
Cal Breedlove

#87 Cal Breedlove

TE
6' 2"
Senior
Kewanee
Adam Brott

#35 Adam Brott

LB
6' 2"
Senior
St. Clair
Jordan Detweiler

#72 Jordan Detweiler

OL
6' 5"
Senior
Williamsburg
Aaron Diggs

#5 Aaron Diggs

DB
6' 1"
Senior
Millennium
Nathan Erickson

#33 Nathan Erickson

P/K
6' 2"
Sophomore
Eisenhower
David Griffith

#38 David Griffith

DB
5' 11"
Senior
Avon
Tony Harper

#81 Tony Harper

TE
6' 4"
Senior
St. John's Jesuit
Jacob Judd

#66 Jacob Judd

OL
6' 3"
Senior
Clinton
Sean McGuire

#18 Sean McGuire

QB
6' 3"
Junior
Franklin
Steve McShane

#5 Steve McShane

RB
5' 8"
Junior
Freeport

Players Mentioned

Jaelon Acklin

#17 Jaelon Acklin

6' 2"
Senior
Liberty
WR
Josh Baldus

#55 Josh Baldus

6' 5"
Senior
Palatine
OL
Cal Breedlove

#87 Cal Breedlove

6' 2"
Senior
Kewanee
TE
Adam Brott

#35 Adam Brott

6' 2"
Senior
St. Clair
LB
Jordan Detweiler

#72 Jordan Detweiler

6' 5"
Senior
Williamsburg
OL
Aaron Diggs

#5 Aaron Diggs

6' 1"
Senior
Millennium
DB
Nathan Erickson

#33 Nathan Erickson

6' 2"
Sophomore
Eisenhower
P/K
David Griffith

#38 David Griffith

5' 11"
Senior
Avon
DB
Tony Harper

#81 Tony Harper

6' 4"
Senior
St. John's Jesuit
TE
Jacob Judd

#66 Jacob Judd

6' 3"
Senior
Clinton
OL
Sean McGuire

#18 Sean McGuire

6' 3"
Junior
Franklin
QB
Steve McShane

#5 Steve McShane

5' 8"
Junior
Freeport
RB