MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois opened fall practice on Friday afternoon (Aug. 5) with a two hour workout in helmets only at the practice fields. The Leathernecks have another practice session to work through before the team is able to wear shoulder pads.With more than three months having passed since the Bruce Craddock Memorial Spring Game, Western returned to action with a healthy squad. Running backs Caulton Ray and Bryce Flowers missed most of spring recovering from injuries but both backs, who combined for nearly 1,900 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, were at 100 percent. The receivers was another group hard hit by injuries last spring, but all were back and going full strength.
After missing spring drills, junior defensive back Tyler West was back practicing with the team. In fact, he made a break on a pass during 1-on-1 drills and came up with an interception. He led Western last year with three interceptions.
The Leathernecks return to practice on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 6), scheduled for 2:45-5 p.m.
NEW FACES ARRIVE: In addition to the signees from last February, Western welcomed some new names during the summer. Senior Emeka Nwankwo joined the Leathernecks after finishing at Notre Dame. He will have one year of eligibility remaining and will challenge for a starting role at nose tackle... Sophomore wide receiver Myles Daughtry comes to Western after playing his freshman year at New Mexico. He was one of three in Lobos program history to return a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown... Martinez Davis joins Western after spending a year at Air Force Prep. The defensive back will have four years remaining... Senior Darryl Johnson, who was with the team for the first half of 2010, rejoined the squad. He moved from defensive end to outside linebacker... Sophomore Michael Famiglietti spent his freshman year at Western Michigan. He will challenge for the starting spot at long snapper.
FALL CAMP PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
August 6 2:45-5 p.m.
August 7 2:45-5 p.m. (shells)
August 8 Media Day at 10 a.m., 2:45-5 p.m.
August 9 2:45-5 p.m. (full pads)
August 10 9-11 a.m.; 6-7:45 p.m.
August 11 2:45-5 p.m.
August 12 9-11 a.m.; 6-7:45 p.m.
August 13 10-11:45 a.m.
August 15 9-11 a.m.; 6-7:45 p.m.
August 16 2:45-5 p.m.
August 17 9-11 a.m.; 6-7:45 p.m.
August 18 2:45-5 p.m.
August 19 9-11 a.m.; 6-7:45 p.m.
August 20 9:30-11 a.m. Move in Day
August 22 First Day of Classes
