2005 Western Illinois Football Season Preview
A look into WIU's first season of Division I-A play
As the 2005 NCAA season gets closer, Western Illinois is preparing for its first taste of Division I-A play. While they do not yet have a conference to call home, the team is ready to take on some new opponents and start to build the foundation of a squad at NCAA's highest level.
One of the bigger storylines of the 2005 roster? It has a heavy senior presence. Of the 46 players on the Leatherneck roster, a whopping 31 of them are seniors, leaving just nine juniors, six sophomores, and zero freshmen to return next season.
Head coach Don Patterson knows there will be a tough road ahead, but trusts in his program.
"We may not have the depth that some of these bigger schools have, but our roster has a lot of football experience," said Patterson, who previously served various roles with Iowa before taking his first head coaching job with WIU. "As for the future, we are hopeful that we will be able to bring in some solid groups of recruits over the next couple of years."
There certainly will be some change as the 'Necks will field nearly a different roster entirely next season, but for 2005, the upperclassmen should help get Western Illinois through what looks to be a tough season.
| Western Illinois Leathernecks Depth Chart - 2005 |
| Regular Offense |
| STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH |
| WR | Terrence Hall (Sr.) | Marco Thomas (R-So.) | David Akers (Sr.) | |
| TE | Jermaine High (Sr.) | Randall Moore (R-So.) | | |
| LT | Jeff Goldstone (R-Sr.) | Quartez Moore (R-Jr.) | | |
| LG | Jason Baksas (Sr.) | Frank Melchert (R-Sr.) | | |
| C | Ryan Solie (R-Sr.) | Chris Newby (Sr.) | | |
| RG | Fred Layne (Sr.) | Dusty Wyllie (R-Sr.) | | |
| RT | Perry Cox (R-Jr.) | Quartez Moore (R-Jr.) | | |
| WR | Reggie Gray (Jr.) | Kendall Gant (Sr.) | | |
| QB | Russ Michna (R-Sr.) | Steve LaFalce (Sr.) | Zach Wells (R-Jr.) | |
| FB | Nick Christian (Sr.) | | | |
| HB | Travis Glasford (Jr.) | Attley Lawson (R-Sr.) | Charles Hayden (Sr.) | |
| Base 4-3 Defense |
| STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH |
| LDE | Mike Tetzel (Sr.) | Charlie Bodiford (R-Sr.) | | |
| LDT | Mike O'Brien (Sr.) | Jon Warren (Sr.) | | |
| RDT | Brett Rocchietti (Jr.) | Erik Dillon (Sr.) | | |
| RDE | Johnson Brave (R-Sr.) | Alfred Conley (R-Sr.) | | |
| WLB | Lee Russell (Sr.) | Pat Crosby (R-Sr.) | | |
| MLB | Jason Riddle (Sr.) | Drew Kocsis (Jr.) | | |
| SLB | Wyatt Green (R-Jr.) | Shannon Fitzhugh (R-Sr.) | | |
| CB | Victor Campbell (R-Sr.) | Fu'ad Khaleel (R-So.) | | |
| SS | Travis Washington (Sr.) | Orlando Baylark (R-So.) | | |
| FS | James Wright (R-So.) | | | |
| CB | Vinceson Campbell (R-Sr.) | Kyle Gares (R-So.) | | |
| Special Teams |
| STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH |
| K | Justin Langan (R-Sr.) | | | |
| P | Aaron Kimpton (Jr.) | | | |
| PR | Terrence Hall (Sr.) | Victor Campbell (R-Sr.) | | |
| KR | Terrence Hall (Sr.) | Victor Campbell (R-Sr.) | | |
| LS | Chris Newby (Sr.) | | | |
On a relatively weak roster, there are a few players that will stand out and be impact players for the Leathernecks this season.
Senior
QB Russ Michna is one of WIU's better quarterbacks in recent memory. The two-time All-Gateway Conference First Team selection should give the 'Necks some stable play at the position as they try to find their quarterback of the future. Junior
HB Travis Glasford is easily the biggest playmaker on offense. He will give WIU a rushing attack they can rely on and is one of the few players they will have the following season as well. The fastest player on the roster, senior
WR Terrence Hall, will be the surefire #1 WR for the 2005 season. The 6'0" wideout doesn't have blazing speed, but his sure hands will make him a reliable target for Michna.
On the defensive side of the ball, there aren't as many stars, but senior
DT Mike O'Brien is unquestionably the best defender. His 6'3", 280 lb. frame helps stuff the run up the middle and push the pocket back on the opposing quarterback.
Cornerbacks Victor and Vinceson Campbell bring veteran leadership to the younger secondary, as they are the #1 and #2 corners. Slot corner
CB Fu'ad Khaleel, a redshirt sophomore, is one of the more intriguing young players on the roster who will look to contribute to the future as WIU builds up a competitive squad in Division I-A.
2005 Western Illinois Football Schedule
8/27 | at #19 Arizona State | 8:00 pm
9/10 | at Wisconsin | 12:30 pm
9/17 | vs. Toledo | 12:30 pm
9/24 | vs. Western Michigan | 12:30 pm
10/1 | at Bowling Green | 6:00 pm
10/8 | at Maryland | 12:30 pm
10/15 | vs. Kent State | 6:00 pm
10/22 | at North Texas | 6:00 pm
10/29 | vs. Miami (OH) University | 6:00 pm
11/5 | at Appalachian State (I-AA) | 8:00 pm
11/19 | at Navy | 12:30 pm
11/26 | vs. Illinois State (I-AA) - WIU/ISU Rivalry Game | 8:00 pm
With Western Illinois spending its first Division I-A season as an independent, it will play a schedule featuring two games against I-AA opponents, including its yearly game against former conference rival Illinois State that will continue even through WIU's transition. The Leathernecks will also play five MAC schools, one PAC-10 school, one Sun Belt school, one ACC school, one Big Ten school, and a fellow independent (Navy). The schedule features five home contests and seven road trips.
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Author's Note: With a senior-loaded roster and no freshmen, this dynasty may have a rough start. I decided to stick with this initial roster and see where things go, as I am up for the challenge!