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Western Illinois University Athletics

2014 Football Roster

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WIU Visual Productions Center

46 Luke Venegoni

  • Position Linebacker
  • Height 6-3
  • Weight 235
  • Class Senior
  • Hometown Gurnee, Ill.
  • Highschool Carmel

Biography

SENIOR (2014): Started in all 12 games... second on the team with 79 total tackles... 6.5 TFL, one sack and two interceptions on the season... also added five pass break-ups and a quarterback hurry... in 45 career games recorded 177 tackles, 15.5 TFL, five sacks, four interceptions and 11 PBU... made eight tackles in the opener against Valparaiso, one shy of the team-lead... shared on a TFL... seven tackles, including two for a loss, at Wisconsin... made a key stop on fourth down for no gain inside the WIU 10 to end a Badger drive... season-high nine tackles (seven solos) against Drake and shared game-high honors with two pass break-ups... matched season-high of nine tackles at Northwestern... recorded eight tackles, including one for a loss, at Southern Illinois... nine tackles against North Dakota State, including seven solos... six tackles and two pass break-ups at Youngstown State... made five tackles and recorded an interception during the first play of the game against Illinois State... made eight tackles versus Northern Iowa, including one for a 3-yard loss... made two tackles at South Dakota... three tackles and a pass break-up at South Dakota State... four tackles and recorded an interception in the win over Indiana State.

JUNIOR (2013): Played in 11 games and started five times... recorded 49 tackles, 5.0 for a loss and 2.5 sacks... broke up four passes... recorded six tackles against Hampton... made a solo tackle against Quincy... played at Minnesota... recorded a 4-yard sack, part of his four total tackles, against South Dakota... had a 9-yard sack in the first quarter of the Illinois State game... two solo tackles, including one for a yard loss, against South Dakota State... shared team-high honors with season-high eight tackles at Youngstown State... made seven tackles (five solos) versus Missouri State, including one for a loss... shared team-high honors with eight tackles against Southern Illinois... finished with eight tackles, a sack, and an interception at Indiana State.... made four solo tackles at Northern Iowa.

SOPHOMORE (2012): Made a tackle on special teams in the Butler game... made three tackles against Indianapolis... made three tackles and got his first-ever interception at Iowa State (14-yard return)... also broke up a pass in the game... career-high five tackles versus Illinois State and shared on a tackle for loss... team-leading and career-high 11 tackles at South Dakota, including one for a loss, and recovered a fumble to seal the victory... broke up a pass at South Dakota State... made two tackles against Indiana State... four tackles and shared on a sack at Missouri State... one tackle against UNI... six tackles against Youngstown State... made six tackles, including a sack, and forced a fumble at Southern Illinois.

FRESHMAN (2011): Played in all 11 games... recorded four tackles at Northern Iowa, including one for a loss... solo tackle on special teams against Southern Illinois... made a solo tackle on special teams Youngstown State... solo tackle in the North Dakota State contest. Named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll.

CAREER-HIGH TACKLES: 11 at South Dakota (10/6/12)
CAREER-HIGH INTERCEPTIONS: 1 on four occasions

HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year starter and First Team All-State by the Chicago Tribune, Rivals, Chicago News-Sun and Coaches Association... First Team All-Conference... Most Valuable Defensive Player in the East Suburban Catholic Conference... led the defense with 127 tackles, along with 12 tackles for a loss, two sacks and three forced fumbles... team advanced to the quarterfinals round of the playoffs in Class 7A, finishing 10-2... won the 2009 and 2010 East Suburban Catholic Conference Championship... First Team All-Area by the News-Sun, Pioneer Press, Daily Herald, and ESPNChicago.com... during his junior year earned All-Area honors by Pioneer Press and Daily Herald while also earning All-Conference honors... finished as the fourth-leading tackler all-time with 253 career stops... also blocked two punts in his prep career... earned three football and two baseball letters... played for coach Andy Bitto.

PERSONAL: Born February 14, 1993 in Lake Forest... No. 1 sports highlight was playing as a freshman with his older brother David as the quarterback in the state semifinals... his two older brothers Mark and David have been a major influence, "For their strong work ethic and passion for football and sports in general."... most admires NFL standout Troy Polamalu, "For his aggressive style of play."... his father played football and baseball at Illinois (1977-81)... brother Mark was quarterback at Illinois (2004-08) and other brother David was quarterback at Augustana from 2008-09... enjoys fishing and listening to all types of music... favorite professional team is the Chicago Bears... favorite musician is Dave Matthews Band... son of John and Claudia Venegoni.

MAJOR: Economics

Statistics

Season:
2014

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 46

    2011Redshirt

    Linebacker
    6'3" 220 lbs
    46
  • 46

    2012Sophomore

    Linebacker
    6'3" 230 lbs
    46
  • 46

    2013Junior

    Linebacker
    6'3" 230 lbs
    46
  • 46

    2014Senior

    Linebacker
    6'3" 235 lbs
    46