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2025 OVC-BIG SOUTH OFFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR (COACHES): Cason Carswell (QB, Fr.), Western Illinois,...After starting the season as the backup, the true freshman Carswell saw his first major action in the third game of the season, entering the contest against Eastern Illinois and completing 16-of-22 passes and throwing two touchdowns. He earned his first career start the following week against nationally ranked Tennessee Tech, completed 34-of-48 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns and earning OVC-Big South Freshman of the Week honors. He repeated the honor a week later, passing for 327 yards against UT Martin. He would throw for a season-high 375 yards against Charleston Southern on October 18. Seven times during the year he tossed two touchdowns in a game, including the season finale when he threw for two and ran for another in a road win over Gardner-Webb. In 10 games he passed for 2,054 yards and 16 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He ranked 20th nationally (and fourth among freshmen) in completions/game (18.7) and 43rd nationally in passing touchdowns. - OVC-Big South Football

(DS#999 QB) Fr/2029

QB Cason Carswell, Western Illinois
News Source: OVC-Big South Football
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11/24/25 - Justin Buckner, Fr/2029, Western Illinois, 5-11, 205 (DS#999 OLB) + More +

WEEK 13 OVC-BIG SOUTH CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Justin Buckner, OLB, 5-11, 205, Fr., Chicago, Ill., Western Illinois,...Buckner made eight tackles (6 solo), including 1.5 sacks (for -10 yards) and had a quarterback hurry as Western Illinois closed out the 2025 season with a 29-24 win at Gardner-Webb, marking the team's third win in its last four games. His full sack came in the third quarter with the Runnin' Bulldogs in Leatherneck territory and pushed them back over midfield. It led to a punt and five plays later WIU scored to increase its advantage to 29-10. Others Nominated: Anthony Paulk, Charleston Southern. - OVC-Big South Football

(DS#999 OLB) Fr/2029

OLB Justin Buckner, Western Illinois
News Source: OVC-Big South Football
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11/20/25 - Don Paul Keith, Fr/2029, Western Illinois, 6-1, 180 (DS#999 CB) + More +

WEEK 11 OVC-BIG SOUTH CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Don Paul Keith, DB, 6-1, 180, Fr., River Rouge, Mich., Western Illinois,...Made the key play in Western Illinois' 24-21 come-from-behind victory over Lindenwood, recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter that led to the game-winning touchdown. With the Leathernecks trailing 21-16 with less than three minutes to play, Lindenwood muffed WIU's punt, and Keith recovered it at the Lions' 37-yard line. Four plays later Western scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown. The freshman also added three solo tackles and two pass breakups. - OVC-Big South Football

(DS#999 CB) Fr/2029

CB Don Paul Keith, Western Illinois
News Source: OVC-Big South Football
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11/20/25 - Markell Holman, Jr/2027, Western Illinois, 6-1, 205 (DS#999 RB) + More +

WEEK 11 OVC-BIG SOUTH OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Markell Holman, RB, 6-1, 205, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., Western Illinois,...Holman rushed for 172 yards (71 in the fourth quarter) and a touchdown and added a two-point conversion score as Western Illinois scored 14 points in the final 7:07 of the game to come-from-behind and beat Lindenwood 24-21. On the team's first drive of the fourth quarter he carried the ball five times for 55 yards and added an 11-yard catch; he capped that drive with a 27-yard touchdown to trim the margin to 21-16. After WIU took the lead later in the quarter, he caught the two-point conversion pass to cap the scoring. Holman averaged 6.9 yards per carry for the game. It marked his third 100-plus yard rushing game of the season, which is tied for the most in the Association; he leads the Association in rushing (808 yards). Others Nominated: Cole Pennington, Gardner-Webb; Steve Hall, Lindenwood; Jax Leatherwood, Southeast Missouri; Kekoa Visperas, Tennessee Tech; Chris Franklin, UT Martin. - OVC-Big South Football

(DS#999 RB) Jr/2027

RB Markell Holman, Western Illinois
News Source: OVC-Big South Football
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11/20/25 - Joe Edwards, Fr/2029, Western Illinois, 6-2, 215 (DS#999 OLB) + More +

WEEK 9 OVC-BIG SOUTH CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Joe Edwards, LB, 6-2, 215, Fr., Downers Grove, Ill., Western Illinois,...Edwards only played three snaps but made two key fourth quarter plays as Western Illinois won its first Conference game of the season, 17-16 at Tennessee State. He recorded sacks on the final two plays of the game, preventing the Tigers from scoring to preserve the one-point victory. Others Nominated: Zack Simmons-Brown, Tennessee State. - OVC-Big South Football

(DS#999 OLB) Fr/2029

OLB Joe Edwards, Western Illinois
News Source: OVC-Big South Football
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11/08/25 - Cason Carswell, Fr/2029, Western Illinois, 6-2, 190 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Cason Carswell threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Alex Williams with 1:21 remaining and Western Illinois scored the final 17 points to beat Lindenwood 24-21 on Saturday. It was all Western Illinois (3-7, 2-4 OVC-Big South Association) after Nate Glantz threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Rico Bond to put Lindenwood (4-6, 3-3) ahead 21-7 with 7:05 left in the third quarter. Antonio Chadha kicked a 41-yard field goal with 19 seconds left in the period to start the Leathernecks' rally. Markell Holman scored on a 27-yard run and Western Illinois trailed 21-16 after the two-point try failed. Jacques Wyatt muffed a punt that was recovered by the Leathernecks' Don Paul Keith at the Lions' 37-yard line. Carswell's game-winning throw came four plays later. He passed to Holman for a successful two-point try and a three-point lead.

Lindenwood used eight-play drives to score touchdowns on their first two possessions to build a 14-0 lead after one quarter. Glantz had a 2-yard touchdown toss to Jalen Smith to cap a 75-yard drive to begin the game. Steve Hall followed with a 6-yard touchdown run to end an 80-yard drive. Western Illinois cut it to 14-7 at halftime with the lone score of the second quarter - a 17-yard touchdown pass from Carswell to Brandon Lanier. Carswell completed half of his 34 passes for 175 yards. Holman rushed 25 times for 172 yards. Glantz totaled 216 yards on 20-for-31 passing with two interceptions for the Lions. Hall rushed 21 times for 148 yards. - AP College Football

(DS#999 QB) Fr/2029

QB Cason Carswell, Western Illinois
News Source: AP College Football
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10/25/25 - Cason Carswell, Fr/2029, Western Illinois, 6-2, 190 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Carson Carswell connected with Demari Davis for a 40-yard touchdown as Western Illinois earned its first conference win over Tennessee St., 17-16 on Saturday afternoon. Davis' touchdown came in the second quarter for the Leathernecks (2-7, 1-4 OVC Big South) to take the lead, 14-10. Carswell found Davis wide open on the right side for his only reception of the game, and Davis walked the score in. Carswell finished the day 14 of 31, with 133 passing yards. Tennessee St. (2-6, 0-4) quarterback Byron McNair threw for 187 yards and one touchdown - an 8-yard pass to Connor Ruth in the second quarter. McNair and backup quarterback Caleb McCreary each recorded interceptions. Tigers kicker Freddy Perez went 3 of 5, hitting field goals from 48, 25 and 41 yards out. - AP College Football

(DS#999 QB) Fr/2029

QB Cason Carswell, Western Illinois
News Source: AP College Football
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10/14/25 - Cason Carswell, Fr/2029, Western Illinois, 6-2, 190 (DS#999 QB) + More +

WEEK 6 OVC-BIG SOUTH FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Cason Carswell, QB, 6-3, 190, Fr., Mason, Mich., Western Illinois,...In his first career start, Carswell completed 34-of-48 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns against No. 9 ranked Tennessee Tech. The freshman had a 23-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to give the Leathernecks the lead and added a 36-yarder in the second quarter. Others Nominated: Anthony Paulk, Charleston Southern; Connor Wolf, Eastern Illinois; Rico Bond, Lindenwood. - OVC-Big South Football

(DS#999 QB) Fr/2029

QB Cason Carswell, Western Illinois
News Source: OVC-Big South Football
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10/14/25 - Cason Carswell, Fr/2029, Western Illinois, 6-2, 190 (DS#999 QB) + More +

WEEK 7 OVC-BIG SOUTH CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Cason Carswell, QB, 6-3, 190, Fr., Mason, Mich., Western Illinois,...Carswell earned the honor for the second-straight week after passing for 327 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Western Illinois came up just short at UT Martin. In his second career start, the freshman completed 21-of-30 passes without an interception and also had four carries for five yards. At the end of the game, with his team down one point, he drove the Leathernecks 45 yards in seven plays, before the team's potential game-winning field goal was blocked. Others Nominated: Anthony Paulk, Charleston Southern; Zamaryion Farmer-McCray, UT Martin. - OVC-Big South Football

(DS#999 QB) Fr/2029

QB Cason Carswell, Western Illinois
News Source: OVC-Big South Football
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09/30/25 - Antonio Chadha, rJr/2027, Western Illinois, 5-08, 200 (DS#999 K) + More +

WEEK 5 OVC-BIG SOUTH SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Antonio Chadha, K, 5-9, 200, Jr., Bryn Mawr, Pa., Western Illinois,...Chadha was perfect on five kicks in Western Illinois' game with Eastern Illinois on Saturday. The junior connected from 35, 49 and 22 yards on field goals and was 2-of-2 in PATs. He also had five kickoffs, two of which went for touchbacks. Chadha has missed only one field goal (a 48-yarder at Northwestern) this season and ranks 17th nationally in field goal percentage (85.7%). Others Nominated: Drew Schiller, Eastern Illinois; Spencer Ashby, Tennessee Tech; Cade Hechter, UT Martin. - OVC-Big South Football

(DS#999 K) rJr/2027

K Antonio Chadha, Western Illinois
News Source: OVC-Big South Football
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09/23/25 - Antonio Chadha, rJr/2027, Western Illinois, 5-08, 200 (DS#999 K) + More +

WEEK 4 OVC-BIG SOUTH SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Antonio Chadha, K, 5-9, 200, Jr., Bryn Mawr, Pa., Western Illinois,...Chadha was perfect on his kick attempts in a high scoring game at Eastern Washington. The sophomore connected on a 39-yard in the first quarter and was 4-of-4 on point after attempts. Chadha also had six kickoffs, four of which went for touchbacks. Others Nominated: Anthony Lowe, Gardner-Webb. - OVC-Big South Football

(DS#999 K) rJr/2027

K Antonio Chadha, Western Illinois
News Source: OVC-Big South Football
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09/14/25 - Chris Irvin, Sr/2026, Western Illinois, 6-2, 215 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Chris Irvin threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns and Western Illinois rebounded with a vengeance and beat Valparaiso 51-30 on Saturday. Western Illinois started the season against Big Ten opponents Illinois - then ranked No. 9 and now 12 - and Northwestern. The two combined to outscore the Leathernecks (1-2) 94-10.

Five of Irvin's 13 completions - in 20 attempts - went to Demari Davis who had 106 yards receiving and a touchdown. Irvin also threw touchdowns to Brandon Lanier and Alex Williams. Western Illinois led 28-3 at the halftime. With the contest well in hand, Valparaiso (1-2) scored 20 points in the fourth quarter. Caron Tyler threw for 137 yards and a touchdown for the Beacons and Ryan Ricketti ran a kickoff back 100 yards for a touchdown for Valparaiso. - AP College Football

(DS#999 QB) Sr/2026

QB Chris Irvin, Western Illinois
News Source: AP College Football
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12/01/22 - Mason Laramie, rSr/2023, Western Illinois, 6-2, 217 (DS#43 K) + More +

2022 ALL-MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: PK Mason Laramie,...A big season came with big honors for Western Illinois wide receiver Naseim Brantley, who was named Newcomer of the Year in the Missouri Valley Football Conference as well as being named First-Team All-Conference at wide receiver on Monday. Along with Brantley, Juan DelaCruz, T.J. Limehouse and Mason Laramie were also honored, getting honorable mention all-conference honors. - Western Illinois Football

(DS#43 K) rSr/2023

K Mason Laramie, Western Illinois
News Source: Western Illinois Football
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12/01/22 - Juan DelaCruz, rSr/2025, Western Illinois, 6-2, 240 (DS#999 ILB) + More +

2022 ALL-MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: LB Juan DelaCruz,...A big season came with big honors for Western Illinois wide receiver Naseim Brantley, who was named Newcomer of the Year in the Missouri Valley Football Conference as well as being named First-Team All-Conference at wide receiver on Monday. Along with Brantley, Juan DelaCruz, T.J. Limehouse and Mason Laramie were also honored, getting honorable mention all-conference honors. - Western Illinois Football

(DS#999 ILB) rSr/2025

ILB Juan DelaCruz, Western Illinois
News Source: Western Illinois Football
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12/01/22 - T.J. Limehouse, rSr/2023, Western Illinois, 5-10, 190 (DS#77 SS) + More +

2022 ALL-MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: DB T.J. Limehouse,...A big season came with big honors for Western Illinois wide receiver Naseim Brantley, who was named Newcomer of the Year in the Missouri Valley Football Conference as well as being named First-Team All-Conference at wide receiver on Monday. Along with Brantley, Juan DelaCruz, T.J. Limehouse and Mason Laramie were also honored, getting honorable mention all-conference honors. - Western Illinois Football

(DS#77 SS) rSr/2023

SS T.J. Limehouse, Western Illinois
News Source: Western Illinois Football
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