|
|
|
Freshman
 
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 5/9/2008 8:34:42 AM
Posts: 44,
Visits: 115
|
|
I think we've done this before, but I can't remember. My list is probably a little different than before, but looking back at my time of watching Western Football these are the ten guys that stick out in my mind. Keep in mind my lists only comprises of players I've watched play so we're looking at guys from 1998 - present.
10.) Stacy Coleman, WR - The Western Illinois flanker was one of the more exciting players I had the pleasure to watch. He could beat you with his catches in the middle of the field, his catches way down the field, and then could catch you off guard with a reverse run. I believe he still holds the record for most receiving yards at Huskie Stadium.
9.) Herb Donaldson, RB - He's still got time to move up this list, but he's been a great back on some not-so-great teams. I really don't even know how he has done it over the past couple seasons considering most defenses know he's going to be getting the ball a ton and for the most part Western hasn't had much of a passing attack in his tenure at Western. He'll be a Walter Payton Award candidate again this year and maybe, just maybe, he wins it this year as he has his best supporting cast going into 2008. Arkansas beware.
8.) Travis Washington, DB - This guy did everything - Just ask WIU PA Announcer Duane Roche. There was a game a few years ago where Roche named Travis Washington as the player who had a run, a tackle, and a kick...This led me to believe Mr. Roche was a robot who was breaking down. Anyway those events were not of Mr. Washington's, but it did seem like Travis did everything. The guy just had a nose for the football. He'd force fumbles, pick the ball of, scoop up fubles balls, for scores, and yes block the occasional punt or field goal. The guy was a playmaker.
7.) Lee Russell, LB - Undersized, not amazingly fast, but he had deceivingly great closing speed. This is one of those guys who wasn't naturally talented, but maybe worked harder than anyone else on the team. Lee was the heart of the defense from the time he was a starter until he graduated from the team. You never once, ever, saw Russell dog a play. He played the game the way it was supposed to be played.
6.) Aaron Stecker, RB - I'm sure most of you are shocked I have him this low. I just didn't get to see as much of him as I could have (I didn't go to school at WIU in '97). However, when I did go down there to cover the "Necks during the '97 playoffs for a local TV station he was a blast to watch. He looked like the oldest kid on the block playing against the rest of the neighborhood kids. Everytime he got the handoff you knew you better have the camera rolling because he might just break one for 80 yards.
5.) Will Peterson, DB - I refuse to refer to him as Will James on this board. Peterson only played a one year for Western, but in those few games he did he was a shut down corner. Over confident, some may say cocky, but you could see the love for the game on his face. QB's tried their best not to throw in his direction and if they did there was a good chance the ball was going to be batted down, if not picked off. The Michigan transfer had a troubled past, and in some circles people say that did follow him to Western. If he had been able to play the entire season and playoffs it makes you wonder if he could have made a difference early on in that game against Lehigh. I'd be a fool not to mention another reason he was personally one of my favorite players is because he talked to my camera before and after every game entertaining me the entire day. I could have done a whole NFL Films type show on just Will Peterson's goofy comments throughout his short stay.
4.) Russ Michna, QB - In my opinion, he's the best QB of all-time in Western's history - though I've read some major heat on his play recently on some stupid guy's blog from a few years ago. I didn't get it. Anyway, he was the type of QB that not only the offense loved to play for, but the defense equally respected the guy as well. He was a much more patient and accurate thrower than the QB before him (Sam Clemons). He also ran the play action better and the guy could run the ball and I don't mean just run. He surprisingly was snake like in his running style and, if necessary, could take out a defender with a direct blow - which always made me nervous. I'm actually watching the game against Eastern right now and he still has had me say "Wow" and other things I won't post a few times. I also think he left Western with something like a 5-1 TD to INT ratio. El Dee 3 might be able to let me know if that is correct or not.
3.) Charles Tharp, RB  - I just loved watching this guy. He reminded me of Terrell Davis in the sense of the way he would use those huge cutbacks to get 25 yard gains. The guy would literally run 40-50 some yards for his 25 yard gain. He also could catch the ball as well as anybody on the team. Maybe I'd consider more of a Marshall Faulk/Terrell Davis hybrid for DI-AA football. He certainly wasn't overpowering, but knew how to make guys miss. He always found the endzone and was rarely denied that opportunity to reach pay dirt. The Hawaii transfer was also a great interview and very down to earth. He came to Western not to get playing time, but to feel part of a team. He said there just wasn't any kind of team atmosphere at all when he was at Hawaii. To prove that point he led the team in rushing as a freshman at Hawaii, so he would have most likely had a shot at being a top player in his conference. Instead he did that here in the Gateway.
2.) Edgerton Hartwell, LB - An absolute beast. What else can you say about Eddie Hartwell. He was one of the nicest guys off the field; chilled, soft spoken, and always laughing. Once that uniform went on that all changed. He had those Mike Singletary eyes and it was his vision that carried this undersized NFL linebacker to have staying power in the league. Hartwell did everything that was needed for Brian Van Gorder's defense back in those days. He could pick a ball off, stuff a run, and sack the quarterback. He will go down as one of the greatest in Western's history, but unfortunately his final game was that blow out loss to Lehigh. God I hated that game.
Tied for 1.) Mike Scifres, P - If you didn't go to Western Illinois or never saw a game when Scifres was there you probably just dismissed my entire list now. However if you did see this guy play you know exactly why he is here. And for me, I saw some of his greatest moments with my own eyes. I'm reminded of the greatest punt I've ever seen in one of the greatest games I've ever seen when Mike launched a punt from one endzone to the other. The ball was so high that it disappeared in the sky from my sight. Unfortunately the punt was only credited with a 89 yard punt...oh yea, it's a Gateway record still. And then there was one of the coolest moments for me as a broadcasting student at WIU. The year, 2000. The place, The Unidome. The kick, a 56-yard field goal as time expired which was the winning score for the 'Necks and that win gave the 'Necks the Gateway title. That football...it camera as I stood directly behind the goal post. It didn't faze me. I went running with my camera into the big pile of celebrating players. I think that has to be the best sports moment I've seen live. One last thing on Mike, he hit opposing kick returners like a linebacker if they came to him.
Tied for 1.) Frisman Jackson, QB, WR - The best athlete Western Illinois has ever had in my stay by far. He could do it all. He was extremely fast, tall, elusive, a strong thrower, and could make some acrobatic catches. He played where ever Coach Don Patterson needed him to play...and he did it well. He was Western's version of the human highlight reel. Every game he played in he left his mark with something spectacular. He was also a very smart guy on and off the field and has been known to get into big political and philosophical discussions on road trips. It was unfortunate he had some injury issues in the NFL, because I think he could have still been playing today. I'm surprised he didn't play basketball at Western. God knows we could have used him.
So there's my ten, err, eleven. I 'd love to read everyone elses or get ripped on for some of my choices.
"I like that song, Mr. Sacrifice" - Coach Patterson
|
|
|
|
|
Freshman
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 5/9/2008 8:34:42 AM
Posts: 44,
Visits: 115
|
|
I just realized I was the one that started a thread like this a couple years ago. Oh well, my thoughts weren't put together like this before. 
"I like that song, Mr. Sacrifice" - Coach Patterson
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 4:54:21 PM
Posts: 574,
Visits: 658
|
|
I would add: Mike Wagner- four Super Bowl rings with the Steelers, Bryan Cox, and Rodney Harrison. These guys not only proved themselves at WESTERN, but also in the NFL. They must be included as some of the best football players to ever come out of WESTERN. IMHO
|
|
|
|
|
Freshman
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 5/9/2008 8:34:42 AM
Posts: 44,
Visits: 115
|
|
Leatherface, I appreciate the feedback, but just so you know this isn't "The Greatest Players from Western Football Thread" nor is is "The Most Successful Leathernecks to go to the NFL Thread." It's just a "My Favorite Players" thread. I can name numerous better players. I can't say I have seen Harrison play one snap at Western. Hard for him to be my favorite.
"I like that song, Mr. Sacrifice" - Coach Patterson
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 4:54:21 PM
Posts: 574,
Visits: 658
|
|
I understood your list. I just threw out some additional names some folks would remember, as ageneral reply.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:35:25 AM
Posts: 57,
Visits: 538
|
|
I know he predates the list, but I have to put Paul Singer out there. I am still upset over that 1988 playoff loss to Western Kentucky after the second half comeback, and I was 9 
I hate Western Kentucky because of that game. The sledgehammer bowl was just icing on the cake.
|
|
|
|
|
Freshman
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 1:32:34 PM
Posts: 45,
Visits: 83
|
|
As a Huskie fan i remember Frisman Jackson. He wanted to play QB but we wanted him to play WR. He transfers to WIU so he can play QB but still ends up being converted to WR.
__________________________________________________
2001, 2002, 2004, & 2005 MAC West Football Champions
2 bowl games in last 4 years
9 consecutive seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher (#1 in the nation)
NIU Dog Pound Forum
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 6:17:27 PM
Posts: 180,
Visits: 1,908
|
|
NIU_Huskies (5/3/2008)
As a Huskie fan i remember Frisman Jackson. He wanted to play QB but we wanted him to play WR. He transfers to WIU so he can play QB but still ends up being converted to WR.
Frisman actually got a shot at QB when Sam Clemons left the first game of the season with an injury in 2000 against Missouri. After a loss there, he went on to win all five games that he started. He had a cannon for an arm and I had heard that he could throw it 85 yards. Sometimes, he just didn't know where it was going. I'll never forget a run that he had against SIU. It looked like he was going down but he spun out of a tackle and ran for a 70 plus yard TD.
Our mission is simple: We will challenge you to be a winner in all that you do. Because we're not just teaching lessons for football...we're teaching you lessons for life.
Coach Don Patterson
|
|
|
| | |