Interviews: RB Appleberry, Jr. | RB Samuel
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU Football finished out practice Tuesday evening as the Hilltoppers prepare for a Saturday, Oct. 27 game against Conference USA opponent FIU. Kick off for the Homecoming game at Houchens-Smith Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT and it will be broadcasted on beIN Sports.
Coming off one of the best offensive games in the Mike Sanford Era, the Hilltoppers look to continue this success going into this weekend's game against the Panthers. WKU rushed for 207 yards behind the strength of the offensive line last Saturday against Old Dominion, a season-high for the young group of running backs.
"That was probably the best performance I'd seen from them so far, we were able to run the ball very well, consistently, and that's what we need from them going forward," redshirt freshman running back Joshua Samuel said on the performance of his offensive line last week.
Samuel led the way with 87 yards on 15 carries, while Gino Appleberry, Jr. added 80 yards and two touchdowns.
Over the past three years, the Hilltoppers have won two out of three against the Panthers with wins of 63-7 in 2015 and 49-21 in 2016. WKU looks to rebound off last year's 41-17 loss on Nov. 24 in Miami, Fla.
"Discipline, that's pretty much all it's going to come down to. Discipline and the ability to finish," Appleberry said on what it's going to take to win on Saturday.
WKU looks to continue their success running the football as redshirt senior running back D'Andre Ferby is healthy and has been cleared to play this week against FIU.
"Will he go out there and play 80 snaps? That wouldn't be fair to him, that wouldn't be fair to any part of coming back," Sanford said during his Monday press conference. "Just proud of him, his rehab process and how much he attacked it. He looks great. He wants to play. He's got a look in his eye of a guy that wants to go make an impact and win a football game."
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