HERO Sports welcomes you to "Two-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 125 FCS programs, with two being released each day from June 18 to August 18 (with the final day having three in one day). Today we give you … Western Illinois.
[divider] MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Any Two FCS Teams [divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
WESTERN ILLINOIS (8-4 IN 2017)
MVFC (WIU was 4th in 2017)
COACH: Jared Elliott – 1st year (0-0 record)
2017 OFFENSE: 33.8 ppg. (17th in FCS)
2017 DEFENSE: 22.5 ppg. (37th in FCS)
SUM IT UP: The Leathernecks have been here before in recent years. A new head coach. Key losses from the preview season's senior class. And low expectations from those outside the program. Under first-year head coach Jared Elliott, who previously served as WIU's assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator, the Leathernecks hope to continue exceeding those outside expectations. They have just around 10 starters returning with an offensive line stung with losses and their go-to receiver and big-time leader on defense now in the NFL.
Those are big holes to fill, but the returning players create a lot of optimism. Quarterback Sean McGuire is a veteran presence as a senior. And running back Steve McShane and Max Norris combined for 1,238 and 12 touchdowns last year. Defensively, the Leathernecks have a solid core right up the middle with defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, linebacker Quentin Moon and safety Justin Fitzpatrick. This is always a hard-nosed team that embraces the underdog role.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: The Leathernecks return to the playoffs with a more favorable first-round draw. They will be challenged early with nonconference games against rejuvenated Big Sky powers Montana at home and Montana State on the road along with a game against FBS Illinois. Just going 2-1 there is going to be considered a huge win. Then it's on to the MVFC gauntlet with four of the first five games coming against teams looking to be in the playoff hunt. WIU began last season with a challenging front end of the schedule with three road nonconference games. It turned out just fine with a 3-0 record. The Leathernecks are going to need another gutsy start in 2018.
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BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: QB Sean McGuire (2,852 yards, 25 TDs, 7 INT.)
THE NEXT BEST: DT Khalen Saunders (Preseason All-American), RB Max Norris (656 yards, 5 TDs); RB Steve McShane (582 yards, 7 TDs); LB Quentin Moon (70 total tackles); S Justin Fitzpatrick (57 total tackles, 5 INT.)
TOP NEWCOMER: WR John Brunner (Butler CC transfer, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds)
DID YOU KNOW?: WIU is the only non-military institution in the nation with permission from the Department of the Navy to use the United States Marine Corps Official seal and mascot, the Bulldog.
THE QUOTE: "There's been a lot of really good give and take, and when I say that I mean there's been some good back and forth between our offense and defense which is what you want to see. It's been very competitive and that challenges each unit and each side of the ball to really respond. It hasn't been a lopsided camp where one unit has just outplayed the other." — Head Coach Jared Elliott said during preseason camp
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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
THE HASHTAG: #TRADITIONofTOUGH
FOOTBALL TWITTER: @WIUfootball
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NEXT: Top 5 Returning MVFC Linebackers
MORE MVFC PREVIEWS: Illinois State | Indiana State | Missouri State | NDSU | UNI | USD | SDSU | SIU
