Saunders Named to FCS Buck Buchanan Watch List

Khalen Saunders was named to the FCS’ 25-member preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award.

CHICAGO – Khalen Saunders has garnered several accolades in his Western Illinois career. Last season, he was named a Phil Steele Third Team All-American and a First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection, and in this last week alone he has received honors as an MVFC preseason first teamer and STATS FCS Preseason All-American.

The latter organization also announced its 25-member preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award on Thursday (Aug. 2) where Saunders joined four others from the MVFC. The annual honor is given to the most outstanding defensive player in the FCS.

"Out of high school, I wasn't very sought after. This was actually the only [Division I] that offered me," said Saunders. "The attention is not going to affect me. It's not going to affect my personality. It's not going to affect how I am with my guys, because those guys come before anybody. The 10 guys on that field and the 11 on offense – those are the guys that are going to get us wins. It's not just going to be me.

"I play football and do my job … It's never an individual me thing. It's always the team."

A season ago, Saunders racked up 57 tackles to tie for third most on the team. Thirty-one of those hits were solo while 12 resulted in a loss of yards. He led Western in both forced fumbles (3) and sacks (7.5) to also rank fifth in the league in both categories.

Saunders scored his first career touchdown – and Western's first of the 2017 season – on a fumble recovery at Tennessee Tech, and went on to add four quarterback hurries and three pass breakups on the year.

"It has been extremely rewarding to see how Khalen has developed as a player throughout his time here at Western," said head coach Jared Elliott. "He is without a question one of the most athletic big men in college football. He has embraced a leadership role on our team, and we are excited to see the impact he will make this year."

The Leathernecks began preseason camp Wednesday, Aug. 1, in preparation for their season opener at Montana State on Thursday, Aug. 30. The programs haven't faced each other since the 1993 season opener where WIU welcomed the Bobcats to Hanson Field in a 29-16 setback.

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Players Mentioned

#99 Khalen Saunders: DL; 6' 2"; Senior; Parkway Central

Players Mentioned

#99 Khalen Saunders
: 6' 2"; Senior; Parkway Central
: DL

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Players Mentioned

#99 Khalen Saunders

Players Mentioned

#99 Khalen Saunders