By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Norm Eash’s 2015 Titans will be long on experience and – he hopes – short on memory.
Illinois Wesleyan looks to rebound from a forgettable 4-6 season, the program’s first losing campaign since 2006 as it opens the 2015 season at Franklin (Ind.) on Saturday.
Eash, who begins his 29th season as IWU coach, said he expects the Grizzlies will remember their 2014 visit to Bloomington well when the Titans handed them a 42-35 defeat.
“I know we surprised them,” Eash said. “They came here thinking last year they were going to beat us and they left kind of stunned. They have a long memory.”
Eash expects this year’s Titan team to be much stronger after a series of injuries and illnesses decimated the 2014 club. Thirteen players who started on offense last year have returned.
Senior receiver Artie Checchin, who led IWU in receptions (49), receiving yards (800) and receiving touchdowns (7) said the Titans can’t take anything for granted this season.
“My senior class has been a part of a lot of different kinds of seasons,” Checchin said. “We’ve been through it all together and we know what it takes to win games.”
Senior defensive back Kevin Slawkowski said the team has to avoid looking ahead.
“Last year I think we got caught up in that,” Checchin said. “That prepared us for this year.”
ISU also returns 11 starters on defense, including defensive back Tyrell Bolden who is using an injury redshirt to return as a fifth-year senior.
Along with the returning starters, Eash is counting on contributions from several key transfers; running back Maurice Shoemaker (Central Michigan) and linebacker Tyler Fahey, who did not play football in his two years at Indiana after earning All-State accolades at Maine South.
The Grizzlies are the five-time defending Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference champions. Franklin returns eight starters on offense and six on defense from last year’s 8-3 club, and is expected to debt a new quarterback, sophomore Chase Burton.
Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. WJBC.com will have the broadcast.
