X Days until 2017 Leatherneck Football

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Camp Ellis would be the answer even though I from everything I gathered grant only had a team in 43 and they beat U of I great lakes won the 1919 rose bowl with 3 future hall of famers with the most notable being george halas along with jimmy conzelman and paddy driscoll who played for the chicago cubs and bears.
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Yesterday was #43 on our countdown. No currently #43's on the roster, but here's some from the past:
Bob Damon................................. 1966
Allen Jongsma............................. 1970
Steven Carpenter...................1976-79
Thad Freeman........................1980-81
Dan Shelby.................................. 1984
Victor Perrin................................. 1987
Kevin Fleury................................ 1989
Eric Amdal................................... 1991
Danny Magalei............................ 1992
Lee Russell.............................2000-03
J.J. Raffelson..........................2012-14

Dan Shelby was a Second Team All-Conference and AP Honorable Mention LB in 1984.

Danny Magalei was a Second Team All-Conference D-Lineman in 1993.

Lee Russell was a LB who was the conference "Freshman of the Year", Second Team All-Conference, and on the All-Newcomer Team in 2000. In 2001 he was Second Team All-Conference and a FB Gazette Honorable Mention. In 2002, he was First Team All-Conference and Sports Network Third Team. Finally, in 2003, he was First Team All-Conference, First Team Academic All-Conference, Sports Network First Team, AP Second Team, College Sports Television First Team, College Sporting News First Team, and Dopke.com Second Team.
Russell shows up in the Leatherneck Record Book for the following:
  • Team's Interceptions Leader in 2002 with 4 (2 returned for TDs)
  • Team's Tackle Leader in 2003 with 146 total tackles
  • 1st (tied) for Interceptions for TDs in a season (2 in 2002)
  • 3rd (tied) for Solo Tackles in a Season (102 in 2003)
  • 8th for Solo Tackles in a season (97 in 2002)
  • 10th (tied) for Tackles for Loss in a season (20 in 2003)
  • 2nd (tied) for Blocked Kicks in a season (3 in 2003)
  • 1st (tied) for Safeties in a season (2 in 2002)
  • 6th (tied) for Forced Fumbles in a season (4 in 2002)
  • 1st (tied) for Fumble Recoveries in a season (4 in 2003)
  • 1st for Defensive Scoring in a season (16 points in 2002)
  • 1st for Solo Tackles in a career (317)
  • 7th for Assisted Tackles in a career (163)
  • 2nd for Total Tackles in a career (480)
  • 2nd for Tackles for Loss in a career (58)
  • 8th (tied) for Sacks in a career (16)
  • 2nd (tied) for Blocked Kicks in a career (4)
  • 1st (tied) for Safeties in a career (2)
  • 2nd (tied) for Forced Fumbles in a career (10)
  • 1st for Fumble Recoveries in a career (10)
  • 3rd (tied) for Defensive Scoring in a career (16 points)
Amazingly, and unlike nearly everyone listed around him in the record books, he was never signed to an NFL contract and eventually returned to Western as a Linebackers coach for 2005 and 2006.

J.J. Raffelson led the team in tackles in 2012 with 105. He was on the conference All-Newcomer team that year, as well as an All-Conference Honorable Mention. He was plagued by injuries throughout his sophomore (6 games) and junior (9 games) seasons, and due to complications from elbow injury surgery, was unable to play his final year as a Leatherneck.
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Today is #42...
#42 Myles Spearman is a Senior Defensive Back from Surprise, AZ (one of the last two of our "AZ recruiting connection")
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Myles is a Biology major who played in 5 games in 2014, finishing with 18 tackles, and all 13 games in 2015, finishing with 35 tackles and 2 interceptions. Due to an injury sustained in the off-season, he missed last season (not sure if eligible for medical redshirt/6th year).

Other #42's we've had:
Dwight Sellers........................1959-61
Ron Hartman..........................1961-62
Bruce Gebhardt........................... 1969
Daryl Schuette........................1976-78
Bob Niemi...............................1981-84
Armie Gasbarro......................1985-89
Lamar McGriggs.......................... 1990
Jim Hagedorn.............................. 1991
Avery Scott.................................. 1993
Aaron Franklin............................. 1995
Ed Josephs.............................1996-97
Karim Ross.................................. 1998
Antwian Davis.........................1999-00
Matt Yellin...............................2002-05
Heaven Desir............................... 2004
Mike Garoppolo......................2007-08
Ryan Carleton........................ 2010-11

Dwight Sellers was inducted into the Leatherneck HOF as part of the 1959 undefeated football team.

Bruce Gebhardt was, following his time at Western, an FBI agent who worked his way up until he was appointed Deputy Director of the FBI from 2002-2004. In 1976, he was awarded the FBI Medal of Valor (the FBI's highest honor for heroism) for actions taken during a plane hijacking at the Denver Airport in 1976: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_J._Gebhardt

Armie Gasbarro was the team's tackle leader in 1988 (130) and 1989 (131). He was a First Team All-Conference LB in both of those years, was an AP Honorable Mention in '88 and Sporting News First Team in '89). He was a 6th round draft pick the NFL's World League of American Football in 1991. Gasbarro has been coaching baseball for the last decade and is in his first season with Top Tier's high school program as the head coach of the Top Tier - Czerwinski 15u team.

Lamar McGriggs was a Second Team All-Conference DB in 1990. He is 10th (tied) on the list for most passes broken up in a season (11 in 1990), 6th (tied) for forced fumbles in a season (4 in 1990), and 1st (tied) for fumble recoveries in a season (4 in 1990). He was drafted in the 8th round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the NY Giants. He played two seasons with the Giants and two seasons with the Vikings. Following that, he played for 9 years in the CFL for various teams, earning CFL East All-Star recognition in 1996 and winning a Grey Cup championship in 1999 with the Hamlton Tiger-Cats. It looks like McGriggs had an interesting route to Western, starting at Arizona Western College as a freshman in '86, transferring to Ellsworth (IA) Junior College, but not being able to play football due to not being granted a release from AZ Western. He then went to Oklahoma State where he played for at least one year (possibly two) and finally finished his senior year as a Leatherneck in 1990.

Aaron Franklin was an Academic All-Conference NB in 1995.

Ed Josephs was an All-Conference Honorable Mention RB in 1997.

Mike Garoppolo was a LB who played in 29 games over 3 years, starting in all 11 games his senior year. He is the older brother of former EIU star and current backup QB for the New England Patriots, Jimmy Garoppolo.
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41 Days away from the kickoff of Leatherneck Football in 2017

#41 on the current roster is Joe Turk, a Junior Running Back from Missouri City, Texas
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Joe started his college football career at the University of Central Florida, where he played in 9 games as a true freshman. He transferred to Western and played in all 11 games last season at Tight End, catching 6 passes for 31 yards and 1 TD (doesn't sound like much, but that's more catches and more yardage than all of our TE's did the previous year). This year, it looks like he's moved to running back.
Joe has two uncles who played in the NFL (both for 14+ seasons) and a brother who played for 4 years for Notre Dame. He is an Elementary Education major.

Other #41's in Leatherneck History include:
Dennis Hanson............................ 1969
Mike Moore.............................1970-71
George Rock..........................1974-76
Kevin Perkins.........................1982-84
Robert Lindsey.......................1997-98
Reggie Hardy.............................. 2001
Charlie Bodiford......................2002-03
Malik Jackson.............................. 2004
David Beaver..........................2005-07
Mike Garoppolo...................... 2010-11
Nikko Watson........................ 2013, 15

Kevin Perkins was the team's rushing leader in 1983, running for 587 yards (53.4 ypg) and 2 TDs, and was the team's punt return leader in 1984, returning 13 kicks for 80 yards (6.2 per return).

Mike Garoppolo was discussed in yesterday's post on #42's.

Nikko Watson was a RB who was the team's rushing leader in 2012 (660 yards, 60 ypg, 1 TD) and in 2015 (1196 yards, 108.7 ypg, 14 TDs). He was also the team's scoring leader in 2015 with 14 TDs accounting for 84 total points. In 2011, he was on the conference All-Newcomer team and in 2015 was First Team All-Conference. He is currently listed in the Leatherneck Record Books for:
  • #7 for rushing attempts in a season (262 in 2015)
  • #11 for yards in a season (1196 in 2015)
  • #10 for yards per game in a season (108.73 in 2015)
  • #6 (tied) for touchdowns in a season (14 in 2015)
  • #6 (tied) for 100+ yard games in a season (7 in 2017)
  • #7 (tied) for fewest games to 1,000+ yards (9 games in 2015)
  • #11 for fewest carries to 1000+ yards (208 carries in 2015)
  • #5 for most rushing yards in a quarter (115 in the 2nd Quarter against South Dakota State in 2011)
  • #4 for career rushing attempts (655)
  • #5 for career rushing yards (2,844)
  • #6 for career rushing TDs (23)
  • #5 (tied) for career 100+ yard games (13)
  • #10 for career all-purpose yards (2,844)
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40 days....
#40 is Sophomore Linebacker CJ Weydeman
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CJ Joined the team in 2015 as a walk-on and was redshirted that season. He didn't see any game action in 2016. He is from Chicago, IL

Other #40's in our history include:
Angelo Vallijo..........................1961-64
Bill Henderson........................1964-66
Charles Gosnell........................... 1969
Randy Vernetti........................1971-73
Brian Spotts............................1976-77
Kevin Murray..........................1982-83
Kevin Akers............................1986-89
Byron Benion............................... 1996
Will Barnes.............................1997-98
Wendell Davidson...................2001-02
Jim Kirmess................................. 2003
Nathaniel Mack............................ 2004
Jerome Bennett......................2005-07
Mike Harmon.......................... 2009-11
Justin Johnson............................ 2013
Frankie Santoro........................... 2014

Charles Gosnell was a (now retired) gym teacher at Macomb High when I was going through school.

Brian Spotts was discussed in the post about #57's: http://www.leathernecknation.net/forum/ ... 175#p16175

Byron Benion has the 6th longest fumble return in Leatherneck history, with a 40 yard pickup against Northern Illinois in '99.

Jerome Bennett was the team's tackle leader in 2006 with 102 tackles. He shows up as having the 3rd best performance in a game for assisted tackles (15 against UNI in 2007) and 6th (tied) in a game for total tackles (21 in the same game). He's tied for 2nd with the most forced fumbles in a season with 5 in 2006 and tied for 2nd for forced fumbles in a career with 10. In 2005, he was on the conference All-Newcomer team. Bennett was named Second Team All-Conference and FB Gazette Honorable Mention in 2006 and was an All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2007.

Mike Harmon was a Second Team Academic All-Conference FB in 2011.
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Sunday was 39 on our countdown
#39 is Junior Linebacker Quentin Moon
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Quentin is a Kinesiology Major from Indianapolis, IN. He played in all 13 games his freshman year, racking up 26 tackles, breaking up a pass, and forcing a fumble. Last season, as a sophomore, he had 88 tackles in 11 games, 6 for loss including 2 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He was also just named a preseason all-conference honorable mention.

Other Leathernecks who have worn #39 include:
Jim Kriecha.............................1969-70
Dave Smith.............................1976-78
Pat Bayers..............................1979-82
John McCue................................ 1987
Ben Williams...........................1988-89
Mike Wollbrink........................1995-96
Jason Visny............................2000-01
Jon Kowalyshen.......................... 2002
Bradley Vance............................. 2003
Piana Lukabu.............................. 2005
Mike Stieren...........................2007-08
Charlie Jouett.............................. 2010
Larry Harris.............................2012-15

Pat Bayers was a First Team All-Conference LB in 1981 and 1982. He was also an AP All-American Honorable Mention in '81 and Chicago Sports First Team in '82. He's in the Leatherneck record books for a few different things, including the longest return of a missed FG...89 yards (a I-AA/FCS record) against Youngstown State in '82, 1st (tied) in solo tackles in a game and 4th (tied) for total tackles in a game with 18 solo and 24 total against Illinois State in '81. He's 6th...twice (he's tied with himself) for most solo tackles in a season with 99 in both 81 and 82. He is 3rd for solo tackles and total tackles in a career with 261 solo and 409 total. Bayers is also tied for 5th most fumble recoveries in a career with 5. He was the team's tackle leader in '81 and '82.

John McCue was the team's kickoff return leader in 1984 with 13 taken back for an average of 21.2 yards per return. He also has the 5th longest fumble return, taking back one 47 yards against Central Missouri in 1983.

Jon Kowalyshen was named to the conference All-Newcomer team in 2002. He also was Second Team All-Conference in 2003. He's tied for 7th most sacks in a season with 11 in 2003, and shows up tied for 5th for sacks in a career with 17.

Piana Lukabu was named to the conference All-Newcomer team in 2005 and Second Team All-Conference in the same year.

Mike Stieren was a Second Team All-Conference DL in 2010.
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And today is #38, who is Senior Defensive Back David Griffith
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David is an Exercise Science major from Avon, IN. He has played in all 36 games so far in his Leatherneck career beginning as a true freshman. He has started in 26 of those games. He's had 162 total tackles in that time, including 8 for loss (1 sack), 13 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 5 interceptions.

Other #38's include:
Noria Lee Steward..................1962-65
Greg Lawson............................... 1976
Rod Anderson.........................1977-80
Rich Westen...........................1987-90
Brian Ceaser..........................1999-02
Aaron Kimpton........................2003-04
Trokon Tompo.........................2006-09
Nikko Watson......................... 2011-12
J.C. Baker.................................... 2013
David Griffith...........................2014-15

Noria Steward was inducted into the Leatherneck HOF in 1975. Steward is one of the top yardage and scoring RB's in Leatherneck history. Until the last 20 years and the advent of RBs such as Herb Donaldson, Travis Glasford, and Aaron Stecker, was pretty much on top of the Leatherneck Record Books. He still ranks 6th overall in career yardage with 2,421 yards, 8th (tied) for career attempts with 462, 5th for career TDs with 27, 9th for career all-purpose yards with 3,095, and 9th for career points with 188. He also is tied for 2nd for the longest run in Leatherneck history with an 86-yarder against Drake in 1964.

Greg Lawson (no relation ;) ) was a RB drafted in the 1978 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, although it doesn't appear that he ended up playing any regular season games with them.

Rod Anderson was an All-Conference and AP Honorable Mention DB in 1979 and 1980.

Rich Westen is one of the many members of the Westen family to be involved in Leatherneck Football.

Brian Ceaser was a Second Team All-Conference and FB Gazette First Team Defensive Lineman in 2002. He is #5 (tied) on the list for tackles for loss in a season with 24.

Trokon Tompo has an awesome name...and was named to the conference All-Newcomer team in 2005.

Nikko Watson was already discussed in the earlier #41 post.

J.C. Baker Led the team in rushing yards in 2013 and 2014, going over 1000 yards in both seasons (10th and 12th best seasons in Leatherneck history). Both seasons, he had over 5 yards per carry (8th and 9th best) and his 7 100+ yard games in 2013 put him at 6th (tied) for the most in a season. His career 462 attempts ties him at #8 in the Leatherneck record books with the previously mentioned Noria Steward. He is #7 on the list for career yards with 2,414 and 5th (tied) for career 100+ yard games with 13...all while only playing for two years for the Leathernecks (the only players to do better in only 2 years were Charles Tharp and Aaron Stecker). Baker was an All-Conference Honorable Mention in both 2013 (also on the All-Newcomer team) and 2014.
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Today is 37....

#37 is Sophomore Linebacker Zach Glisan
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Zach is a finance major from Abingdon, IL
He played in four games on special teams last season as a redshirt freshman.

Other #37's in Leatherneck history include:
Blake Loveless............................ 1973
Mark Gartland.............................. 1984
Jim Hagedorn.........................1988-90
Rodney Harrison....................1991-93
Aaron Franklin............................. 1994
Ryan Taylor.................................. 1997
Kyle Gares..............................2003-06
Austin Hammer............................ 2007
Larry Shelton............................... 2008
Ethan Bachinski......................2010-13
Drew Patterson............................ 2015

Rodney Harrison, despite having a rather "cold" relationship with Western, is still one of the most talented DB's in Leatherneck history. In 1992 he was named AP Second Team, Sports Network Second Team, and First Team All-Conference. He was again First Team All-Conference in 1993, in addition to being named to the AP, AFCA, Kodak, Sports Network, and FB Gazette First Teams. His records as a Leatherneck include 4th longest fumble return (49 yards for a TD against Eastern Illinois in '92), 1st in total tackles in a game (28 against Western Kentucky in '93), 6th (tied) for blocked kicks in a season with 2 as a freshman in '91. He was the team's tackle leader in 1993. Harrison was drafted in 1994 NFL Draft in the 5th round by the San Diego Chargers and ended up playing 9 years with the Chargers and then 6 years with the Patriots. He was twice named to the Pro Bowl, twice won Super Bowl rings, and was on both SD's and NE's 50th Anniversary Teams. He finished his NFL career with 1,205 tackles, 30.5 sacks, 34 interceptions, and 11 forced fumbles. Following his playing career, he was hired as a commentator on NBC's Football Night in America.

Aaron Franklin was an Academic All-Conference Honorable Mention NB in 1995.

Ryan Taylor received a conference defensive player of the week award in October of 1998.
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leatherneckcountry
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ST_Lawson wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2017 4:18 pm Today is 37....

#37 is Sophomore Linebacker Zach Glisan
Image
Zach is a finance major from Abingdon, IL
He played in four games on special teams last season as a redshirt freshman.

Other #37's in Leatherneck history include:
Blake Loveless............................ 1973
Mark Gartland.............................. 1984
Jim Hagedorn.........................1988-90
Rodney Harrison....................1991-93
Aaron Franklin............................. 1994
Ryan Taylor.................................. 1997
Kyle Gares..............................2003-06
Austin Hammer............................ 2007
Larry Shelton............................... 2008
Ethan Bachinski......................2010-13
Drew Patterson............................ 2015

Rodney Harrison, despite having a rather "cold" relationship with Western, is still one of the most talented DB's in Leatherneck history. In 1992 he was named AP Second Team, Sports Network Second Team, and First Team All-Conference. He was again First Team All-Conference in 1993, in addition to being named to the AP, AFCA, Kodak, Sports Network, and FB Gazette First Teams. His records as a Leatherneck include 4th longest fumble return (49 yards for a TD against Eastern Illinois in '92), 1st in total tackles in a game (28 against Western Kentucky in '93), 6th (tied) for blocked kicks in a season with 2 as a freshman in '91. He was the team's tackle leader in 1993. Harrison was drafted in 1994 NFL Draft in the 5th round by the San Diego Chargers and ended up playing 9 years with the Chargers and then 6 years with the Patriots. He was twice named to the Pro Bowl, twice won Super Bowl rings, and was on both SD's and NE's 50th Anniversary Teams. He finished his NFL career with 1,205 tackles, 30.5 sacks, 34 interceptions, and 11 forced fumbles. Following his playing career, he was hired as a commentator on NBC's Football Night in America.

Aaron Franklin was an Academic All-Conference Honorable Mention NB in 1995.

Ryan Taylor received a conference defensive player of the week award in October of 1998.
It's crazy to think that he is a junior now he was one of the ball boys for the basketball team when I was in High School making me feel old.
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leatherneckcountry wrote: It's crazy to think that he is a junior now he was one of the ball boys for the basketball team when I was in High School making me feel old.
All these guys make me feel old (and I'm still pretty young compared to many on this board). I just try not to look at the years they were born. At this point there's still a few players on the team born before I graduated HS, but it's fewer every year, of course. Brett Taylor was born right before my junior year in HS, and Sean McGuire was born during my Senior year, but when Steve Mcshane was born, I'd already performed at 2 home games as a Marching Leatherneck.


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