"I think we've accomplished what we wanted to," head coach David Elson said. "We found some things out about our younger guys and about the guys that we think are going to be able to contribute. It's still a work in progress. Obviously, we will continue to fine tune and polish things up. I told them today that we needed to have a good mental practice and they really responded. They were very focused and attentive and we just need more of that consistently in practice and meetings. That will really help us come game day."
The Hilltoppers will hit the practice field for the last practice of the preseason tonight at 3:45 p.m before participating in Family Fun Day on Saturday. After Topper Walk and an autograph session, the Hilltoppers will kick-off for the mock game at 6:30 p.m.
"We are going to do a dry run for more of what a home game will be like for us," Elson said. "We're going to put the uniforms on, that's one thing that we wanted to do, and just go through that routine. We aren't going to take it quite as seriously and we're going to have some fun with it being Family Fun Day with the fans. Normally on game day, we don't go through Topper Walk and then have an autograph session. It's really more of, quite honestly, a relaxed day to take them through the routine as close as we can and get them ready for that 6:30 p.m. kick-off time for South Florida. We'll see how they respond to some things and in different situations with the officials here. We're not looking to grind out a 100 play scrimmage or anything like that. We'll be cautious and try to work on some timing and tempo and let them get a feel for the uniform with the lights on."
WKU, the newest of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision Members, is eligible for a post-season bowl berth and the Sun Belt Conference championship in 2009. The Hilltoppers open the 2009 season at Tennessee on September 5 at 11:21 a.m., and opens the home portion of its schedule the following week against South Florida at 6:30 p.m.
WKU’s 511-337-30 all-time record in 90 seasons of football equates to a .600 winning percentage, ranking 26th among all 120 Division I Football Bowl Subdivision schools and tops in the Sun Belt Conference. WKU’s 948 APR in football is also higher than all other Sun Belt Conference programs.
Hilltopper Spotlight
Name: James Rusin
Q: What is your favorite activity outside your current sport?
A: During the summer I like to work.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: My Dad’s steak
Q: What is the last book you have read?
A: Boots on the Ground By Dusk
Q: What is your favorite spring break destination?
A: Panama City, Fla.
Q: What was your favorite cartoon character when you were a child?
A: Batman
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: The Deadliest Warrior
Q: If you could have dinner with any person in history, who would it be and why?
A: Pat Tillman because when he died and gave his life for his country that meant a lot to me.
Q: What are your plans after your playing days are over here at WKU?
A: Find a job or a graduate assistant position somewhere.
Q: What is your proudest moment in sports?
A: The first game that I played on WKU’s field against Indiana State during my redshirt freshman season. Q: Who is your all-time favorite sports personality? A: John Elway Q: Other than WKU, who is your favorite team? A: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Q: Who is your favorite singer or music group? A: Killswitch Engage Q: What is the best movie you have ever seen? A: The Crow Q: Who is the most influential person in your life? A: My Father because he taught me everything that I know. He is the hardest worker that I have ever met. Everything that I do is because of him.
