KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The first WMU Football Press conference was held today, as the media was able to pick the brain of head coach Bill Cubit and senior center Kevin Galeher about the upcoming Week one game against the Illinois Fighting Illini.

This was the first chance to get a feel for the Broncos as they head off to face Illinois this Saturday. As the questions continue to swirl about if the Broncos can beat the Illini, the coaches and players understand the task that is ahead.

"The players realize what's in front of them and what it is going to be like," said Cubit.

A weakness that some may think for the Broncos this season will be the defense and some asked whether or not the defense can present a challenge to dual-threat quarterback Nathan Scheelhause of Illinois. Though the defense has its challenge ahead of them, Cubit is confident in his group on defense.

"We have more leaders over on defense than we've ever had before," said Cubit.

The Illinois defense who got to quarterback Alex Carder last year will present a challenge for the offensive line for WMU this year as the Illini defensive line will be better with Illinois defensive man Michael Buchanan and Jonathan Brown.

"They're big and fast and will be even better this year," said Galeher. "We compare him (Buchanan) to Paul Hazel, just bigger."

The offensive line will surely be put to the test on Saturday and with the option of rotating in seven different offensive linemen, the offensive line is in good shape.

"Our depth is big for us," said Galeher. "If one man goes down, we can have somebody come right in and be fine."

The first week of the football season is underway and with press conferences and the pressure to succeed, when WMU finally hits the field on Saturday, it's almost a sense of relief.

"Everybody is focused on Illinois," said Gaheler. "We have all the right leaders in all the right positions."

Below is a replay of today's WMU Football Press Luncheon Live Chat