Spring 2021 Preview: WIU

The Jackrabbits renew their series vs. the Western Illinois University Leathernecks after a break from the series in 2018 and 2019.  The last time they faced was 2017 when the Jacks blew them out 52-24.  A lot has changed since that last meeting so we can basically throw that out the window.  In 2019 WIU went just 1-11 overall and 1-7 in the conference.  They return a number of playmakers on offense and have a mostly inexperienced but fast defense looking to improve on their 2019 effort.  The coaches are looking for a quick turnaround though as this roster has 44 transfers on it by my count. WIU played Missouri State tough and had a 17-14 lead at halftime before falling 30-24. 

Offense

Since that 2017 meeting, WIU has turned to a spread hurry-up offense. In their season opening loss to Missouri State, they ran 76 plays racking up 329 yards of total offense.  Their defense gave the offense a short field on multiple occasions but penalties hurt their effort as they saw two touchdowns wiped off the board in the first half.  The offense really wants to spread out the defense and find the matchup that favors their athletes.  They had 10 players carry the ball and 10 players with receptions.  It does appear like a basketball fast break at times. 

WIU is led by senior quarterback #8 Connor Sampson (6-3, 215) who is now in his second year of starting.  In 2019 he completed 231 passes for 2,092 yards and 13 touchdowns.  Against Missouri State, he tied his school record with 34 completions on 46 attempts for 281 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INT.  He has a strong arm and again, could have had two more TD's to his credit if not for holding penalties on the offensive line.  He is a pass first quarterback but does appear to have good pocket awareness and movement.

When he drops back to pass, he has plenty of weapons at his disposal.  His two primary targets are #10 Dennis Houston (6-2, 205) and #1 Tony Tate (5-9, 180).  Against MO State, Houston had 9 receptions for 71 yards and 1 TD while Tate had 6 receptions for 69 yards (with 2 TD receptions wiped off the board).  In 2019, Houston played just 8 games but had 36 receptions for 539 yards and 3 TD.  Tate had 37 receptions for 386 yards and 3 TDs of his own.  This past Saturday, #81 Dallas Daniels (6-1, 170) was another popular target for Sampson finishing with 6 receptions for 47 yards . #15 John Brunner (6-3, 200), #87 Daniel Bender (5-8, 170), and #11 D'Angelo Biggs (5-9, 170) had 3, 1, 1 receptions combining for 39 yards.  Again, Sampson is willing to distribute the ball to anyone who is open.  Tight End #28 Mason Sikes (6-4, 240) had a 12 yard reception against MO State in the first extended action of his career. 

At running back, #32 DeShon Gavin (6-0, 200) and #16 Justin Hall (5-9, 185) both caught passes out of the backfield.  Gavin had 3 receptions for 39 yards including a smooth looking 28 yard screen pass.  Gavin also appears to be a strong running back.  He had just 6 attempts on the ground but they went for 22 yards.  In 2019 he had 162 yards and 2 TD in limited action. WIU really loves to incorporate their wide receivers into the running game.  Dennis Houston, Dallas Daniels and Tony Tate each had two or more carries but the 7 combined carries this group had only had a long of 6 yards.

The offensive line for WIU is big and has an interesting mix of youth and experience; starting 1 senior, 2 juniors, 1 rFr and a 1 true freshman.  From left to right they are #67 Zach Henson (6-5, 305), #66 Michael Ross (6-2, 320), #76 Ty O'Janovac (6-4, 270), #51 Will Waddell (6-2, 300), and #74 Matt Muetterties (6-4, 295).  Waddell was a two year starter at Grambling State and was a HERO Sports Sophomore All-American.  Outside of him however, there are only two other starts, both of which come from Michael Ross. 

Defense

The WIU defense appears to be the group that has been hit by COVID the hardest.  The WIU broadcast team vs. Missouri State named that the defensive line in particular had been decimated by the virus. WIU has played a 3-4 defense for years and still does.  It is interesting, and maybe helpful, that the Jacks are opening their season with three straight games against an odd front.  In their loss last week, WIU forced four turnovers but surrendered 433 yards and allowed 15.4 yards per completion!  WIU chooses to blitz and play an attacking and aggressive style that does leave them vulnerable to the big play.

Up front WIU trots out #95 Brandon Frazier (6-3, 280) at nose tackle and is flanked by #97 CJ Hunt (6-2, 275) and #90 Malik Burns (6-3, 235).  This trio all were originally FBS signees at Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, and Temple.  Hunt had 4 tackles and 1 sack while Frazier and Burns had just 1 tackle. #23 Eryk Preston (6-4, 255) is the BUCK and will appear mostly as a OLB but at times will stick his hand in the dirt if they give a 4-3 look.   He had 2 tackles for loss and a sack against MSU.  True freshman #99 Michael Webb Jr. (6-0, 315) #98 Daniel Carson (6-4, 290), #91 Ronald Cherry (6-3, 290) all appeared in a reserve roll with Cherry being credited for two stops.  These are some big men that eat up blocks and allow the linebackers to flow and make plays!  This is certainly more of a traditional 3-4 defensive line than what the Jacks faced against UND last week.   

The linebackers again play very fast. #49 Herschel Blankenship (6-0, 225) led the team in tackles in week one with 10 from his inside backer position.  Next to him was true freshman #17 Juan DelaCruz (6-2, 220) who finished with one stop.  Off the edge, #13 Greg Benton Jr (6-1, 230) had 7 stops including the 75 yard fumble return for touchdown.  In addition he had 2 quarterback hits and a pass breakup.  Him and Eryk Preston form a nice tandem for the Leathernecks. #0 Jalen Powe (6-0, 215) appears on the roster as a defensive back but started the game at inside linebacker.  He finished with 2 tackles.                 

The secondary is young at corner but experienced at safety with #14 Braylen Brooks (5-10, 165)  and #21 Joseph Thompson (5-11, 165) at cornerback and #41 Michael Lawson (5-10, 185) and #40 Justin Nutof (5-10, 180) at safety.  Brooks, a freshman, and Thompson, a sophomore made strong debuts.  Brooks finished with 7 tackles and 1 INT while Thompson had 5 tackles including 1.5 TFL.  Of note, Brooks was the Texas 6A high school defensive player of the year.  Lawson, a transfer from Lamar, was an All-Southland Conference selection as both a defensive back and punt returner.  In his lone season at Lamar, he had 94 tackles and five interceptions.  Against MO State he had 7 tackles.  Nutof is WIU's leading returning tackler from 2019 when he had 46 tackles.  On Saturday he had 8 tackles and an INT. #31 Ziare Williams (6-2, 180) appeared in a reserve role where he had 2 tackles.     

Special Teams

The WIU special teams appeared really solid on Saturday.  There punt and kick coverage was really good and their kickers appeared confident.  The place kicking duties belonged to #45 Mason Laramie (6-2, 215).  He made a 45 yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter and all of his extra points.  WIU also appears to be trying to pin opponents within their 25 yard line as he averaged just 59 yards per kickoff attempt, had no touchbacks, and kicked one out of bounds when they were attempting to force the return man into the corner. #89 Adam Fellner (6-4, 250) punted the ball 6 times for a 42.8 yard average with a long of 50.  There wasn't much room for returns as their return team worked in unison.  

The punt and kick return duties belonged to the aforementioned Tony Tate.  The Jackrabbits will have to be sound in their responsibilities.  Tate only had 2 yards on his two punt return attempts but did break off a 37 yard kick return early in the game.    

Prediction

Jacks 30- WIU 17

How to Watch

ESPN+

Go Jacks!

Matt