After struggling to post three points in the first half of Saturday’s scrimmage at L.T. Smith Stadium/Jimmy Feix Field, the Western Kentucky University offense rebounded after a brief intermission to put together four scoring drives — two for touchdowns — to close out the event.
“The defense came out ready to go, they really got after it and played well early,” Hilltopper head coach David Elson said. “I was proud of the way our offense came back in the second half. They were able to sustain a few drives.”
The Topper defense allowed just one first down on the first four series of the scrimmage, ending that drive at their 23-yard line when Jon Hedges and Marion Rumph combined to stop Philip Bates on 4th-and-1. After Chris James kicked a 25-yard field goal to end a march that started from midfield, the defense did not allow a point on the final four possessions before the break. That included stopping a drive at its 16-yard line when Dan Cline stuffed Brandon C. Smith on another 4th-and-1 play.
Hedges — who led all players with 12 stops (eight solo) — then intercepted Justin Haddix’ screen pass and ran it back to the offense’s 1-yard line. The offense would not get past its 25-yard line before the intermission.
Rumph added nine tackles for the first-team, and both Dusty Bear and Jimmy Caldwell were credited with six. Brandon Mason and Ricky Watkins led the second unit with eight tackles apiece, while Rashad Etheridge, L.J. Harbison and Clay Stephens each chipped in with five stops.
Before the break, the offense managed to post 83 yards on 42 snaps.
“We know we are capable of playing that well if we come out with focus and intensity,” Elson said. “But, we need to do that since we are not overly talented. I think we have the ability, when we’re all playing together and playing hard, to be a great defensive unit.”
After the intermission, though, the unit responded with a six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive as Bates reached the end zone from 6 yards out after starting out left and then cutting back to find the right pylon. In addition to a 16-yard gain for a first down, Haddix found Curtis Hamilton for 36 yards down the right sideline to set up the score.
The second-team then marched to the defense’s 11-yard line before a personal foul call forced it to settle for a 48-yard field goal from James.
The offense penetrated as far as the defense’s 30-yard line on four of its last six possessions as James tacked on a 33-yard field goal and Smith hit Jared Holland for a touchdown. After the break, the group recorded 327 yards on 63 plays.
The highlight for the defense following the intermission came when Travis Watters picked off a Haddix pass and returned it 41 yards. Watters added five stops, including 1.5 for loss, and a pass defensed.
With the trio of Lerron Moore, Stephen Willis and Andrew McCloud out with injury, Bates paced the Toppers with 101 yards on 24 carries while Craig Lanham ran for 67 yards on 14 attempts — all in the second half.
Jessie Quinn recorded six receptions for 52 yards, with both Hamilton and Holland adding four catches each. Hamilton paced WKU’s receivers with 70 yards. Ross Cassity caught three passes for another 19 as Haddix finished 11-of-22 passing for 124 yards and Smith completed 8-of-12 attempts for another 85.
“The injuries definitely restricted our playbook, we were limited with some of the things we wanted to do,” said Elson. WKU was also missing Jake Gaebler, who has led the Topper receiving corps in several scrimmages this month.
The Hilltoppers — who return to practice Monday at 4 p.m. (CDT) at Smith Stadium — will close out spring practice with the Red-White game Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m.
