WKU Game Notes
ULM Game Notes
Sun Belt Conference Weekly Notes
Monday Press Conference Transcript
Press Conference Audio - Coach Taggart
Press Conference Audio - Bobby Rainey; Jared Clendenin
After 29 days between home games, the Western Kentucky University football team returns to Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium Saturday when they host Sun Belt Conference foe Louisiana-Monroe at 6 p.m. (CDT). Saturday's game will also be Hilltopper Pride Day in conjunction with Parents and Family Weekend.
All attendees at the game will be able to purchase an unlimited number of hot dogs and Pepsi fountain drinks for $1 each at the 10 Centerplate operated concession stands. Sonic will also offer hot dogs and small drinks for $1 each.
All general admission tickets for adults and youth will be $6. This will enable an adult and child to purchase a ticket to the game, a hot dog and a Pepsi for $16. A family of four will be able to attend the game and have a hot dog and Pepsi for $32. The $1 prices for hot dogs and Pepsi fountain drinks are good for the entire game, there is no per person limit. Reserved bleacher seats are $15.
Young Plays Like Veteran - Making just his second career start at FIU, redshirt freshman safety Kiante Young played like a seasoned veteran, collecting a game-high 13 tackles against the Panthers. That was 10 more stops than his previous high this season, and actually was six more stops than he had recorded in the first four games combined. That performance came one game after Young recorded his first career interception at South Florida. His 13 tackles were the most by a Hilltopper this season, and the most since Orlando Misaalefua also had 13 stops against Louisiana-Lafayette on Oct. 17, 2009.
Air Assault - After WKU's first four touchdowns of the season came either via the run game or special teams, five of the last six - and six of the last nine - scores have come through the air. WKU had just 11 passing touchdowns in all of 2009. For different Hilltoppers have caught WKU's six touchdowns, including two each from Marcus Vasquez and Jack Doyle. Dexter Haynes caught his first career touchdown at FIU - a 53-yard pass. It was WKU's longest touchdown reception since David Wolke hooked up with Jake Gaebler on a 62-yard scoring pass against North Texas on Nov. 1, 2008.
Defense Getting Off The Field - After struggling on third down through the first three games, the Hilltopper defense has done a much better job getting on the field in the last two contests. Opponents converted 67.6 percent of their third-down opportunities (23 of 34). However, both South Florida and Florida International combined to go just 6-for-19 on third-down chances.
D In Control In Second Half - After surrendering 243 yards and 21 points to Florida International in the first half of last Saturday's game, the WKU defense turned things around after halftime. That also included just one scoring drive that spanned 33 yards after a WKU turnover.
Rainey Passes 600 Yards - Thanks to his 94 rushing yards on 28 carries at FIU, junior running back Bobby Rainey went over 600 rushing yards for the season, entering this week's contest with 602 yards on the ground through five games - an average of 120.4 yards per game. That ranks 10th nationally and best in the Sun Belt Conference. He also enters this week's game with an even 1,800 career rushing yards.
So Close - While it has not come out on top, WKU has found itself within striking distance of a win in each of its last four Sun Belt Conference games dating back to last season. In fact, the average point differential in each of those four contests is just five points. Prior to last Saturday's seven-point loss at FIU, the Toppers closed the 2009 league schedule with a three-point setback at ULM, a six-point loss at Florida Atlantic and a four-point home loss at Arkansas State.
Controlling The Clock - The Hilltoppers have won the time-of-possession battle in three of their five games so far this season, including holding the ball for a season-high 34:37 last week at FIU. WKU had the ball for 30 minutes or more just five times in the entire 2009 season. On the year, the Toppers are averaging 31:04 of offense per game.
WKU To Play 900th Game Saturday - When the Hilltoppers take the field at home against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday, it will mark the 900th game in the history of WKU football. Entering the game, the Toppers hold a 511-354-31 all-time record (scores are not available for three games played during the 1916 campaign). Those 900 games have come against 132 different opponents dating back to the first game in 1913.
Streak reached 100 - Despite the Hilltoppers' recent struggles, an impressive streak has remained intact for the ninth season in 2010. WKU has not been held scoreless in a game since a 14-0 home loss to Western Illinois on Sept. 14, 2002. The streak reached 100 games last Saturday when Kawaun Jakes and Jack Doyle hooked up on a six-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. That is also the longest streak without being shut out of any team in the Sun Belt Conference. The previous record for consecutive games scoring was 88, set between the 1965 and 1973 seasons. After being blanked by the Leathernecks, the Hilltoppers dropped just one more game in that '02 campaign as they went on to capture the I-AA National Championship.
