W. Illinois seeks first conference win

The Leathernecks lost to Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Western Illinois head coach Don Patterson praised his defensive unit last week after a 34-24 loss to No. 1 ranked Southern Illinois.
The improved Leathernecks will try for their first Gateway Conference victory on Saturday when they visit Youngstown State's Stambaugh Stadium for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
Western Illinois (2-4) lost its only other Gateway game, falling to Northern Iowa 41-24 two weeks ago.
"I was proud of the way my defense battled out there last Saturday," Patterson said. "They played inspired football and that's contagious. I saw some fanatical effort out there."
The Leathernecks gave up 348 yards to the Salukis, but that was almost 100 yards under their season average. Overall, Western had a 372-348 edge in yardage.
"But [Southern Illinois] answered our challenge and that's what championship teams do," Patterson said.
Patterson knows that things don't get any easier this week when his Leathernecks trek to Youngstown.
"They might be playing the best football of anybody in our conference right now," Patterson said of the Penguins. "They are running the ball like they did back in the mid-'90s when they were collecting national championships."
Scoring machine
Offense hasn't been a problem for the Leathernecks this season as they are averaging 403.3 yards per game and 32.7 points.
But they are giving up 410.3 yards and 38.3 points and have lost 13 fumbles and have had seven passes intercepted.
The Leathernecks opened the season against Division I-A Toledo and were pounded 62-14.
They also allowed 63 points against I-AA Stephen F. Austin in a 63-36 loss, while their two victories were at home against Northern Colorado, 28-23, and Iowa Wesleyan, 70-7.
Offensive leader
Junior quarterback Steve LaFalce has been the leader of the offense. The 6-foot-1-inch, 210 pounder has completed 102-of-154 passes for 1,255 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
His top receiver is senior Reggie Gray (5-11, 170) who has caught 37 passes for 389 yards and three touchdowns, while junior wide receiver Marco Thomas (6-1, 175) has 23 catches for 447 yards and three TDs.
Gray is also the punt return and kickoff return specialist for the Leathernecks along with freshman Paul Anderson.
The running game is led by senior All-Gateway standout Travis Glasford. The 5-11, 190 pounder has rushed for 500 yards on 106 carries and five touchdowns and he's also caught 19 passes including one for a touchdown.
Defensively, linebacker Will Bailey (6-2, 230, Sr.) is the leader with 43 tackles, including five for losses, while free safety Trokon Tompo (6-2, 210, Fr.) has seven tackles for losses.
The placekicker is freshman Taylor Rowan, who has made only 2-of-5 field goals. His longest was 47 yards.
Punter Kris Coffee, a junior, has averaged 37.6 yards on 28 punts and has had one blocked.
mollica@vindy.com