Nov. 29, 2013
WKU Notes | Arkansas State Notes
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Game Day Central
BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-WKU looks to set FBS program history on Saturday, going for their eighth regular season victory, as they host Sun Belt Conference foe Arkansas State on Senior Day at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is set for 3 p.m. CT and the game will be aired on ESPN3 with Dan Gutowsky and Forrest Connoly on the call.
The game can also be heard on the IMG Hilltopper Sports Network with Randy Lee, Leo Peckenpaugh and Terry Obee relaying the action.
The game will feature a pair of 7-4 overall teams with Arkansas State holding a lead in the conference race, going 5-1 so far on the year. Both teams enter the contest with spotless records in the month of November, WKU going 3-0 and the Red Wolves going 4-0.
Both the Hilltoppers and Red Wolves have been tough on the road at conference opponents over the past three seasons. WKU has gone 10-2 while Arkansas State is a perfect 10-0 since the start of the 2011 season.
Series notes aside, the game will feature two of the most dynamic offenses in the SBC, with WKU ranking No. 2 overall in total offense (463.3) while Arkansas State ranks No. 5 (418.5). Defensively, the Tops, as they have the majority of the season, lead the conference in overall total defense and rank No. 15 nationally, surrendering just 339.5 yards per game. The Red Wolves also rank No. 5 in overall total defense, allowing 419.1 yards per game.
Over their three-game winning streak, the WKU defense is holding opponents to just 17.3 points per game and 295.7 yards per game. They have also intercepted six passes and are allowing fewer than four yards per rush. Offensively, the Tops are scoring inside the redzone at a 93-percent clip while doubling up their opponents, scoring 34.3 yards per game.
While the eight-win mark is the goal, a pair of Hilltoppers have a chance to do something no other team has accomplished this season, set the school's single season passing and rushing record in the same year. Quarterback Brandon Doughty needs 136 yards to set the single-season school record at 2,738 while running back Antonio Andrews needs just 117 yards on the ground to break his own school record, set last season. Andrews could also become just the 11th player in FBS history to rush for 1,700 yards in back-to-back seasons with 89 yards.
Additionally, Andrews needs just 42 all-purpose yards to pass Jeremy Maclin and set a new FBS for all-purpose yards over a two-year span.
Standing in their way defensively for the Red Wolves is linebacker Qushaun Lee, the conference's No. 2 tackler, and defensive tackle Ryan Carrethers. Lee is one of just two players in the league to have over 100 tackles at this point while Carrethers's eight tackles for loss are a team-best.
Offensively for Arkansas State, quarterback Adam Kennedy is the engine that makes the machine go. Kennedy is completing 69.3-percent (208 of 300) for 2,282 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He is also the team's second leading rusher, adding 509 yards on the ground. Kennedy also gives ASU three of the league's top three rushers as Michael Gordon and David Oku pace the Red Wolves at running back.
