With the upcoming game, The Houstonian had an opportunity to talk with the sports editor from the Western Courier, Bill Welt. Who covers Western Illinois football team.
The Houstonian: What style of offense should the Bearkats look out for against the Leathernecks?
Bill Welt: They are primarily a running team. Hopefully this year they will try and even it out.
TH: What about your quarterback?
BW: Matt Barr is the starting quarterback. He is a third year starter. He redshirted his freshman year and has started ever since.
TH: And Running back?
BW: Dre Gibss will be filling the spot this year. He is taking over for Herb Donaldson who almost rushed for 2000 yards last year.
TH: How about your defense?
BW: We have a balanced defense, our linebackers and defensive line are the strength of the team. Especially the linebackers; Kyle Glazier led the team in tackles last year and he is returning to anchor the team.
TH: As far as big threats go what should fans look for?
BW: We don’t have any real weapons on special teams but as far as maybe a deep threat goes Lito Senatus is a 6 ft. 3 in. wide receiver that poses a third down threat.
TH: How do you guys typically stack up in your conference?
BW: We are normally middle of the pack. We went 6-5 last year and playing in the Missouri Valley football conference it really is a battle between Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois.
TH: What kind of surprises should we be prepared for?
BW: Wil Lunt is a red shirt freshman and he broke the Illinois record for passing in high school. I really was shocked that we were able to recruit him here so we are pretty sexcited about him. So if Barr has a bad game I mean a really bad game you could see him come off the bench.
TH: And lastly as far as coaching goes, how do the Leathenecks match up against Coach Whitten?
BW: Well our head coach has been coaching this team for quite a while he is in his eleventh season here. He is also nearing in on the winningest record in Western Illinois history. He has taken the team to the playoffs quite a few times and is looking to have a really good season this year.