WKU Game Notes
FAU Game Notes
Sun Belt Conference Weekly Notes
Monday Press Conference Transcript
Press Conference Audio - Coach Taggart
Press Conference Audio - Bobby Rainey, Thomas Majors and Mychal Patterson
The Western Kentucky University football team plays its second straight home game on Saturday, hosting Florida Atlantic at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Both teams come in with 1-3 records in Sun Belt Conference games. WKU is looking for its first-ever win over the Owls. FAU picked up a 29-23 victory last season in Boca Raton.
Rainey Nears 1,000-Yard Season - Two weeks ago at Louisiana-Lafayette, junior running back Bobby Rainey eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards for his career. With another 100-yard effort last week against North Texas, he finds himself just 62 yards away from the first 1,000-yard season of his career. There is a good chance that milestone could come this week based on Rainey's performances this season. He has not rushed for less than 64 yards in any of WKU's first eight games. The Griffin, Ga., product is looking put up the 14th 1,000-yard season in WKU football history, and the first since Tyrell Hayden rushed for 1,134 yards in 2007.
Merrick Steps In - Redshirt freshman kicker Monte Merrick attempted the first two field goals of his career last week against North Texas, and was good on both tries. His makes from 37 yards and 46 yards accounted for all of WKU's scoring against the Mean Green. Heading into those two tries, the Hilltoppers had been just 4-of-10 on field goals for the season, and just 1 of 7 from beyond 30 yards. Merrick also averaged 64.7 yards on three kickoffs.
Young Leads The Way Again - For the second time in four Sun Belt Conference games, redshirt freshman safety Kiante Young was WKU's leading tackler when he tied for game-high honors with nine stops against North Texas. Young also led the way with a career-best 13 tackles in the league opener at Florida International. In fact, WKU's top three tacklers last week were all members of the secondary as Arius Wright and Ryan Beard each finished with seven tackles.
Brakefield Booms Another - Punter Hendrix Brakefield set a new career-long against North Texas when he boomed a 62-yard punt at the end of the first half. He also was credited with a 60-yard kick earlier in the season against Indiana.
Coley Plays Big Again - Freshman tight end Demetrius Coley played an important roll in the Hilltopper passing game for the season straight week. The Bay Minette, Ala., product got his first career start against North Texas hauling in a pair of catches for 23 yards. Coupled with his performance at Louisiana-Lafayette, Coley has averaged 48.5 receiving yards per game in the last two outings - second most on the team over that span. His 24.2 yards per reception in two games is a team best.
