W. Illinois will be YSU's toughest test of the season

& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;By PETE MOLLICA & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Western Illinois coach Don Patterson says this year's Leathernecks team could end up being the best he's had in his five years.
That's a scary thought, considering WIU is coming off an 11-2 season in which the Leathernecks won their fifth Gateway Conference title and advanced to the Division I-AA national semifinals.
Western Illinois avenged that final loss last week with a 33-28 defeat of conference rival and defending national champion Western Kentucky. The Leathernecks trailed 21-7 late in the second quarter of that game.
The season's only defeat for WIU (4-1, 1-0 Gateway) was to LSU, 35-7.
"This team has the potential to be the best we've had here," said Patterson. "But we certainly didn't play like it last Saturday.
"It we can take care of the football a little better we have a chance to repeat as champions," he said.
In five games Western Illinois has turned the football over 16 times, including 10 lost fumbles.
Michna leads offense
The Leathernecks are led by senior quarterback Russ Michna (6-foot-3, 230 pounds), who was the Gateway Conference offensive player of the year in 2002.
He has completed 63-of-116 passes for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns. He's also been intercepted six times, but three of those came against LSU.
"His interceptions against LSU weren't really interceptions, but more like takeaways by the defensive secondary," Patterson said.
Michna's receivers are led by senior flanker Terrence Hall (6-0, 180) and junior split end James Norris (5-8, 170), both with 18 receptions. Hall and sophomore split end Reggie Gray (5-11, 170) both have three touchdowns.
Sophomore Travis Glasford (5-11, 190) has rushed for 386 yards on 87 carries and scored seven touchdowns. The Leathernecks have scored 14 times on the ground.
The offensive line is a big one, led by senior Jason Baksas (6-8, 290), redshirt freshman Chad Walker (6-5, 310) and junior Fred Layne (6-4, 295).
"The Gateway Conference is like murderers row," said Patterson. "Every week it's a battle for survival. We've got four teams ranked in the top 12 in the country. You win the Gateway and the playoffs seem a lot easier."
Russell top defender
The Leathernecks are led on defense by Buck Buchanan Award candidate Lee Russell (6-0, 230), a linebacker.
Russell was first team All-Gateway Conference last season and was named to the Sports Network All-America team. He has 49 tackles, including nine for losses, this season.
Phil Archer (6-2, 245), a middle linebacker, leads the Leathernecks with 55 tackles. Eight of them are for losses, and he's recovered two fumbles.
Western Illinois is struggling in special teams. Junior Justin Langan (5-11, 180) earned All-America honors last year and set a single-season I-AA record for most points by a kicker (116).
But this year Langan is 1-of-5 in field goals and has missed two extra points.
"He has a new holder and a new snapper and LSU blocked one of his field goal attempts," said Patterson.
Patterson said YSU looks as good as ever this year.
"They are playing very well and beat a good Southwest Missouri State team last week. We expect a real battle down there," he said.
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;mollica@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;