Interviews: OL Coach Woods | OL Pate | OL Witt
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — In WKU Football's 28-20 win over Ball State last week, the young offensive line helped the team rush for a season-high 192 yards. Coming off their first win of the season, the Hilltoppers want to keep the same momentum heading into conference play against Marshall on Saturday night.
"I thought winning last week was huge, we were really desperate for a win, we just needed something to gain momentum heading into conference play this week," offensive lineman Miles Pate said.
WKU begins its eight-game Conference USA schedule against the Thundering Herd, who currently sits at 2-1 on the season.
"First thing that stands out to me is their athleticism," offensive line coach TJ Woods said of the Marshall defense. "They play hard, they're aggressive, they have an aggressive style of defense. It will be a good challenge for us, both physically and mentally."
The 2018 offensive line is growing together without a single senior, featuring four sophomores and one junior in the starting five. WKU's 2018 starting five entering the season was also one of only three offensive lines in the nation to have all five position starters earning their first career starts at their position.
"I think the O-line is playing pretty well, we're pretty cohesive now. We just have to keep working, and the win definitely helped build our confidence going into conference play," offensive lineman Tyler Witt said. "The last drive, last week against Ball State, we were gashing them for 10 yards per carry."
Witt also mentioned how head coach Mike Sanford wanted to call more run plays to get the offensive line in a rhythm up front, which pushed the Hilltoppers to their first victory of the season with a 28-20 win over Ball State.
Against the Cardinals, WKU posted 192 rushing yards on 40 carries, with 150 coming in the second half. This marked the most rushing yards the Hilltoppers have produced during any of Sanford's first 17 games in charge of the program.
Coach Sanford also had some positive words for his offensive linemen during Monday's press conference, "Those guys are coming together, they're having a next-man-up mentality, and they know whoever steps in there is going to have that same level of care factor and toughness as they have as a starting five, and we're going to need that as we go on."
WKU will continue preparation on Wednesday and Thursday before Marshall comes to The Hill on Saturday night. The game between the Hilltoppers and Thundering Herd kicks off at 6:30 p.m CT at Houchens-Smith Stadium.
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