Will County Gazette

An injury to a key player may have shown just what kind of strength Northwestern has this season.

Keith Watkins II, who was second among Wildcat cornerbacks in tackles in 2015, was hit with a season-ending knee injury during practice earlier this month. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald called Watkins' situation “an unfortunate loss,” but added that the team feels comfortable with moving Montre Hartage, who played in 13 games last season, up the cornerback ladder.

“A few years ago, we weren’t in a position where we had what I would call organizational depth, and we have that now,” Fitzgerald said in an email interview with the Will County Gazette. “It creates an exciting and competitive atmosphere because guys know that the guy behind them is pushing them to be better every day.”

That's a big part of what Fitzgerald called one of the most physically impressive defenses he's had in his 11 seasons in charge. That's no small feat, given that last year's defense was one of the best in the nation and the driving force behind Northwestern's 10-3 record and Outback Bowl bid.

On offense, the Wildcats have Justin Jackson, the conference's rushing-yards leader last season with 1,418 and a second-team all-conference pick. 

ILLINOIS

When looking at a football team for the first time, new Illinois head coach Lovie Smith said the first offensive position to look at is quarterback.

For the Illini (4-8 overall, 2-6 in Big Ten), that first look would be at senior Wes Lunt, who averaged 230.1 passing yards per game last season with 14 touchdown passes and six interceptions. This offseason, Lunt has been put on three awards-watch lists.

“Wes is very smart, has a strong arm, has earned the respect of his teammates and is a terrific leader,” Smith said in an email interview the Will County Gazette. “He and (quarterbacks coach Garrick) McGee work very well together, and I’m very confident Wes will do a great job of getting the ball where it needs to be.”

Lunt will be joined in the backfield by sophomore running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn, who had 842 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns in 2015.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS

When driving for a seventh-straight Mid-American Conference West Division title, it helps to have an first-team All-American on board.

The Huskies (8-6 overall, 6-2 in MAC) have one in junior cornerback Shawun Lurry, who led the Football Bowl Subdivision with nine interceptions last season. And Lurry will have a good group in front of him, too.

“Defensively, I'm really pleased with our defensive line,” Head Coach Rod Carey said. “I really am pleased with them and the progress they've made as far as coming together as a unit and a lot of bodies up there.”

Quarterback Drew Hare had 1,962 yards passing with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions, plus 375 rushing yards, before having his season cut short by a torn Achilles tendon. Carey said there are no lingering effects from the injury.

NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE

There's some bad news for North Central College opponents this season.

Junior running back Austin Breunig already has a terrific season under his belt: 1,186 yards rushing last season, a school-record 18 touchdowns, and first-team All-CCIW honors. Here's where's the bad news comes in: Head coach Jeff Thorne said Breunig has improved his change of direction and added about 10 pounds of muscle.

“He's an unbelievably strong man to begin with, and he only got stronger,” Thorne said.

The Cardinals (7-3 overall, 6-1 in CCIW) will have great depth in the backfield with the return of former first-team All-CCIW pick Oshayne Brown, who played just two games last season before being injured for the rest of the year.

The Cardinals' defense is led by two All-CCIW second-team linebackers in Tom Sora and Justin Sturrsma. The line should be deep, Thorne said, and the secondary should be healthy this year.

MORTHLAND

A new coach combines with the first varsity season in school history to make this already an interesting season in West Frankfort.

The Patriots had their first season of football in 2015, going 1-4-1. This year, they play a varsity slate of nine games.

The coach is Michael Popovich, who was head coach at Mt. Zion High School for three years and an offensive and recruiting coordinator for Army Sprint Football, reports MorthlandPatriots.com.

 “I definitely feel like there is a buzz around the program right now,” Popovich said in an email interview with the Will County Gazette. “Our staff did a nice job of bringing in some quality players to help make this transition a little smoother. It’s never easy getting a program off the ground, but I feel like we are headed in the right direction.”