Larry Dean

Leathernecks Open Season at North Alabama

Monday, August 26, 2019

The 2019 slate begins on the road Thursday, August 29.

GAME ONE

Who | Western Illinois at North Alabama
When | Thursday, August 29 at 7 p.m.
Where | Braly Municipal Stadium - Florence, Ala.
TV | ESPN+
Radio | WRMS (Danny Frey, Dr. Tom Cody)
Social Media | Twitter + Facebook #TRADITIONofTOUGH, #DANGEROUSandRELENTLESS

The Series | Thursday's season-opener will mark the first meeting between the two, and North Alabama's first time hosting a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent since the 1992 season.

Scouting the Opposition | North Alabama moved to Division I status ahead of the 2018 season and finished the slate 7-3.

The Lions return 32 lettermen including senior quarterback Christian Lopez and sophomore receivers Jakobi Byrd, Dexter Boykin, Cortez Hall, and Andre Little. A year ago, Lopez threw for 2,184 yards and added 19 touchdowns while his wideouts combined for 145 catches and 1,861 yards.

Linebackers Chrison Taylor and Will Evans and safety K.J. Smith are the only returning full-time starters on defense.

North Alabama accepted an invitation to join the ASUN Conference in all sports except football, where it will play in the Big South Conference.

Season-Opening Success | The Leathernecks have a history of success in season-opening games against FCS opponents. In the last 15 openers, Western has 13 wins with the only losses occurring in a 26-23 decision to Montana State last year and a 20-6 loss at Sam Houston State in 2011.

2017: 41-14 at Tennessee Tech
2016: 38-21 at Eastern Illinois
2015: 33-5 vs. #25 Eastern Illinois
2014: 45-6 vs. Valparaiso
2013: 42-9 vs. Hampton
2012: 23-15 vs. Butler
2011: 20-6 loss at Sam Houston State (eventual national runner-up)
2010: 45-0 vs. Valparaiso
2009: 35-28 at Sam Houston State
2007: 29-26 (4OT) win vs. #20 South Dakota State
2006: 31-6 vs. Morehead State
2002: 64-7 vs. Drake
2001: 17-13 vs. #3 Western Kentucky
1997: 41-0 vs. #6 Eastern Illinois.

Since 2000, the Leathernecks have also defeated:
Division II Wayne State (35-3 in 2003)

and lost to FBS teams:
Missouri (50-20 in 2000)
Nebraska (56-17 in 2004)
Toledo (62-14 in 2005)
Arkansas (28-24 in 2008)

Nuggets from 2018 |

·     Defeated a pair of nationally-ranked opponents in 15/16 Montana and 17/23 Northern Iowa
·     Finished the year 5-6 overall, 4-4 in Missouri Valley Football Conference play
·     Ranked 'Top 25' in the FCS in the following categories: passing offense (No. 21 / 271.9 yards per game); team tackles for loss (No. 20 / 7.5 per game); total defense (No. 23 / 327.9 yards per game); team sacks (No. 5 / 3.27)
·     Six games were decided by a touchdown or less, and four were settled in the fourth quarter. Western went 3-3 in close games last season, and maintain an overall record of 62-48.

Captains | The letter "C" will be stitched into the uniforms of five Leathernecks – Eric Carrera, Jared Drake, Clint Ratkovich, Tom Rehfeld, and Connor Sampson.

Ratkovich enters his second year of captaincy while the others were voted into the position ahead of the 2019 season.

New Kids on the Block | Western brought aboard 17 true freshmen and eight transfers from four-year institutions.

Transfers: Marquis Smith (Cincinnati); Bryce Cross (Georgia Southern); Deontez Thompson (Richmond); Justin Hall (Northern Illinois); Kevin Johnson (Richmond); J.T. Wahee (Norfolk State); Brandon Frazier (Kentucky); and Gabe Angel (Ole Miss).

Elliott Files | Jared Elliott became the Leathernecks' 34th head coach in January 2018. He previously served as the team's assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator.

MVFC Preseason Picks | Clint Ratkovich (FB) was named Preseason All-Missouri Valley Football Conference while John Brunner (WR) was selected honorable mention. The conference's preseason poll picked North Dakota State, the reigning FCS national champions, to repeat and Western Illinois was tabbed eighth.

Ratkovich is the lone WIU first-teamer to return this season and finished second on the 2018 roster with 616 receiving yards.

Hall of Fame | Western Athletics announced its 2019 Hall of Fame class in August, and the distinguished group included Bob Nardelli (Football) and the 1974 baseball team.

Nardelli suited up for Western's 1969 team that won the final IIAC championship. The group recorded an overall record of 8-2 and also received a bid to the Mineral Water Bowl.

As the starting left guard, he assisted the 1969 Leathernecks to the ninth-best ranking in the nation with 425.1 yards of total offense. Nadelli was named All-State Second Team (Peoria Journal Star) as well as an Interstate Conference Football Team honorable. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Friday, October 4.

The All-Time Best | For the first time in four seasons, Western will be without its all-time leading passer Sean McGuire. The former captain left the program as its career record holder in passing yards (9,819), touchdowns (72), completions (771) and attempts (1,291).

What A Class | The Leathernecks' 2018 senior class featured student-athletes that will be etched in the program's record books for years to come.

Sean McGuire | all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns, completions and attempts
Steve McShane | seventh all-time in rushing touchdowns (22), eighth all-time in rushing yards (2,375)
Isaiah LeSure | 19th all-time with 1,318 receiving yards
Pete Swenson | 2018 FCS leader in tackles for loss (24.5), fourth all-time in TFLs (49.5), career leader in sacks (28)
Khalen Saunders | sixth all-time in sacks (18)
Quentin Moon | 10th all-time in solo tackles (166), sixth all-time in forced fumbles (7)
Xavier Rowe | fourth all-time in pass breakups (30)
Justin Fitzpatrick | 10th all-time in PBUs (21)

Leathernecks in the Pros | With the 84th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected defensive lineman Khalen Saunders. He is Western's first draftee in 10 seasons and the 35th in program history. Saunders signed a four-year contract with the Chiefs in June.

Recent graduates Quentin Moon (LB/Chicago Bears), Steve McShane (RB + RS/Pittsburgh Steelers), and Sean McGuire (QB/Minnesota Vikings) also received mini-camp invites following the 2019 Draft. McGuire went on to sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League, where he has competed against former teammate and wide receiver Jaelon Acklin of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Print Friendly Version