#8 Western Illinois

Bob Nielson will be looking to turn things around
in Macomb.
(Photo: GoLeathernecks.com)

If you're a fan of Western Illinois, last year was a very long football season. Opponents scored an average of 28.3 points against the Leathernecks while Western could only muster a dismal average of 9.7 points per game. Throughout the season, Western was outscored 311-107. That was an awful, awful season. However, in 2013 there really is hope.

Western Illinois welcomes a new head coach. If you are unfamiliar with Bob Nielson, let me introduce you. Nielson has been a head coach since 1989. He started off at small Ripon College in Wisconsin. He spent two seasons there: first season 2-9-1, second season 7-2. After Ripon he left to take a job at Wartburg College in Iowa. He spent five seasons with the Knights. His first two were mediocre, finishing 6-4 and 5-5; his last three--9-2 (playoffs), 10-2 (playoffs), and 9-1. After his five seasons at Wartburg he moved back to college and took over the team at Wisconsin Eau-Claire. Again, he took over a team made significant improvement. He spent three seasons at Wisconsin Eau-Claire: 1996: (5-5), 1997: (7-3), and 1998: (10-3, playoffs). After three short seasons with Wisconsin Eau-Claire he took over at Minnesota-Duluth where he had his most success as a head coach. Nielson has posted a 170-59-1 head coaching record. I'll let you examine what he has done:

The biggest task ahead of Nielson will be turning around the Leatherneck passing game. Last year, Western threw the ball for just 1176 yards and only 2 TDs and 13 INTs. Yes, last year Western Illinois only had 2 passing touchdowns the entire season. Sophomore QB, Hayden Northern is slated to be the starter coming football season. Last year Northern threw for 321 yards, 0 TDs & 6 INTs. The running game should help out the development of the passing this year. Nikko Watson will take over the starting RB position after two solid seasons behind Caulton Ray. The big question mark will be whether or not the offensive line will continue to develop. Last year tackle, Sam Kachanuk, missed most of the season due to to injury. In 2011 he started the last two games. He, along with Jimmy Holtschlag and Jeff Lindsey, will provide leadership on the offensive line. 

Defensively, Martinez Davis and David McDaniel return at defensive back--between the two of them

Western Illinois Leathernecks 2013 Schedule

they have 9 interceptions, two returned for TDs. Western loses only one of its top tacklers (Theon Dixone) the rest, LB J.J. Raffelson, DB Jonathon Rollins, LB Devon Butler, LB Kevin Kintzel, and LB Luke Venegoni all return and should provide a solid base to a much improved Western Illinois defense.

The 2013 schedule should be favorable for Western Illinois. Although they have two FBS games--weak ones--their other non-conference games, Hampton & Quincy, are winnable games that should provide confidence early one. Of course, I said this exact same thing last season when Western faced Butler & Indianapolis. Western needs to beat South Dakota and Missouri State to keep themselves out of the bottom of the MVFC. I feel that with new leadership and the experience Bob Nielson brings to Macomb Western should make massive strives this season and get themselves out of a 2-year slump.