By DON O'BRIEN
Herald-Whig Sports Editor

Bill Terlisner has the motivation for his team in his hip pocket.

The last time Terlisner and his Quincy University football team took the short trip north to Macomb to face Western Illinois, the Hawks nearly pulled off an upset for the ages.

The Hawks almost had their Appalachian State-like moment in 2004 when they held a 24-21 lead over WIU, an NCAA Division I-AA team. QU, a dual member of the NCAA Division II and NAIA ranks, hadn't seen a winning season for nearly a decade and were predicted to get drubbed by the Leathernecks.

WIU running back Alex Douglas helped turn the tide against his hometown's school, breaking loose for a 51-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter that put WIU back in control as it went on to claim a 38-31 victory.

In prepping his team for Saturday's 6 p.m. rematch with the Leathernecks at Hanson Field, Terlisner didn't bring up the near miss.

"We haven't mentioned that game at all," said Terlisner, who begins his ninth season in charge of the Hawks. "That game's so far in the past, it doesn't matter."

No current Hawks played in that game. However, several seniors on this year's team were serving their redshirt freshmen season. The near miss is a motivator for them.

"It proved that you have a shot no matter what," said senior defensive back Dustin Keevan, one of three seniors who were part of the team at the time.

Keevan spent that night back home near St. Louis, trying frantically to get updates on the game after learning the Hawks were leading at half by reading the crawl of scores on ESPN.

Linebacker Tony Donatucci was in Macomb, sitting in the stands trying to figure out if seeing was believing.

"To be honest, it kind of surprised me," Donatucci said. "We knew how good they were, and it's always tough going up to play a higher division. We just came out and kept going. Defense got some turnovers and we drove the ball down. I thought, 'Holy (smoke),' we might win."

Keevan and Donatucci will spearhead a defense going up against a WIU offense that gave the Leathernecks a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter of their opener last week at Arkansas. Like the Leathernecks did against QU in 2004, the Razorbacks rallied to avoid a major upset.

Some similarities exist between the 2004 Hawks and the 2008 version. That 2004 bunch featured a young offensive line and transfer at quarterback in Pittfield native Dan Riley. Saturday night will be the debut for Illinois State transfer Sam Donatucci -- Tony Donatucci's younger brother -- at quarterback for QU.

The 2004 Hawks' defense was led by veteran linebacker Tim Bliefnick. The 2008 version will have senior linebacker Jake Zsuppon in charge. This current Hawks team is expected to have an experienced defense carry the load for much of the season, just like in 2004.

The game is one of two this season the Hawks will play against Division I-AA foes this season. QU will open its home schedule next week against NAIA power St. Francis (Ind.) before heading to Central Arkansas the following week.

And this QU team will try its best to do what that 2004 team couldn't quite do -- pull off the upset.

"I think we have a shot," Tony Donatucci said. "If we can force some turnovers and keep going after the ball, it could be a ballgame."

-- dobrien@whig.com/221-3365