Aug. 9, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Head coach Jack Harbaugh, assistant coaches David Elson and Keven Lightner, and four Western Kentucky University football players participated Friday as the program played host to its third annual Media Day at the Downing University Center and L.T. Smith Stadium/Jimmy Feix Field.
After a brief lunch, seniors Sherrod Coates, Derek Forster, Jason Michael and Patrick Reynolds joined the coaching staff in addressing the media prior to the start of the afternoon practice session.
"I want to thank everyone for being here, we appreciate the support in anticipation of the 2002 season," Harbaugh opened. "We are excited and pleased with what's going after three practices with the varsity. It's now our second year in the Gateway Conference and there are only two teams on the schedule which we didn't play last year, so it's like we've been around the block.
"People notice that we graduated a lot of skill players, but there are many experienced players coming back too," he continued. "Even though we lost two quarterbacks and two running backs, I'm excited about our prospects at those positions. Although there will never be another secondary on the Hill at the same time to match the athletic ability and skill of the players we lost, our linebacking corps has the chance to be as significant a unit in 2003. We are also fortunate to return all of our skill spots on special teams."
The Hilltoppers return five starters and eight letterwinners - including preseason all-Gateway chioces Buster Ashley, Chris Price and Daniel Withrow - on an offensive line that helped WKU average more than 300 rushing yards per game, a figure that led the conference and ranked second in the nation. Michael started nine games as a freshman in 1999, throwing for 565 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 384 yards and another four scores.
"I'm excited about the upcoming season, and have been since we watched everyone fly around in spring practice," said Lightner, in his second year on the Hill as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. "Our new offense isn't as dramatic a change as some people think. We are still a big, strong and physical group up front, so we're just looking to find a way to take advantage of teams that stack players on the line of scrimmage against us."
WKU has six starters back on a defense that led the Gateway in rushing, passing, total and scoring defense in the Toppers' first season in the league. Coates, Reynolds and junior Erik Dandy are preseason all-conference selections as Western has back seven linemen in addition to three of its four starting linebackers this year. The Hilltoppers were ranked second nationally in scoring and total defense a year ago, and led the country in scoring defense in 2000.
"Our expectations for the defense are high because of what the group has done over the last three years," said Elson, in his seventh season at Western and second year as defensive coordinator. "They've set a standard statistically as one of the best units in Division I-AA football, and this year's team wants to live up to that. Our continuity on the staff means a lot, and it helps when we have our top six starters back up front."
The Hilltoppers will have two practices Saturday, maintaining that schedule Monday through Friday next week in preparation for the team's first scrimmage, scheduled for Aug. 17.
- WKU -
