GAME AND TEAM NOTES
• WKU's team captains for the game were A.J. Brathwaite, Jr., Jeremy Darvin and Cole Spencer.• There was an attendance of 18,405 in S.B. Ballard Stadium for the 6:05 p.m. ET kick off.
• WKU improved to 5-1 all-time against Old Dominion, including 3-0 in Norfolk. The teams began playing in 2014 when the Hilltoppers joined Conference USA and have played one per year since.
• WKU held Old Dominion to 3 points, the fewest for the Monarchs since Oct. 14, 2017 in a 35-3 loss at Marshall. It was the fewest points allowed by the Hilltoppers since Oct. 29, 2016 in a 52-3 win at Florida Atlantic.
• WKU held a 13-3 lead going into the fourth quarter and kept Old Dominion scoreless in the final frame. It was the fourth consecutive game in which the Hilltoppers held their opponent scoreless in the fourth quarter, the first time the defense has accomplished the feat dating back to at least 2007.
• WKU held Old Dominion to 160 total yards of offense, the first time a Hilltopper defense has held an opponent to under 200 total yards since Nov. 11, 2015 in a 63-7 win at FIU (168). It was the fifth-fewest total yards allowed by a WKU defense since 2007.
• WKU improved to 13-7 while wearing white jersey tops and red pants, dating back to 2013. The Hilltoppers also wore the combination earlier this season in their 20-13 victory at FIU.
PLAYER NOTES
TY STOREY
• Completed 21-of-28 attempts for 193 yards passing, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
• Completed passes to nine different WKU receivers, including a game high 7 to Jahcour Pearson.
• Had chunk completions to Pearson for 25 yards and Quin Jernighan for a game-high 29 yards.
• Carried 8 times for 12 yards (31 gain, 19 lost), including a long rush of 15.
GAEJ WALKER
• Carried 25 times for 114 yards (120 gain, 6 lost), with 1 touchdown and 1 fumble lost.
• Had a chunk run of 25 yards in the third quarter, the longest since his 68-yard touchdown run vs. Central Arkansas on the first carry of his career in the season opener.
• Leads the Hilltoppers with 4 rushing touchdowns this season.
JAHCOUR PEARSON
• Caught 7 passes for 67 yards, both of which led WKU. The 7 receptions tied a career high, which he set vs. Central Arkansas in the season opener.
• Leads the Hilltoppers with 28 receptions for 291 yards for the season. Came into the 2019 campaign with 20 receptions for 172 yards in 2017 and 2018 combined.
JOSHUA SIMON
• Caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ty Storey in the fourth quarter to extend WKU's lead to 20-3.
• Leads the Hilltoppers with 4 touchdowns this season. Of his 8 receptions, 4 have been for scores.
Ta'CORIAN DARDEN
• Had the 6th interception of his WKU career in the second quarter, leading to a Hilltopper touchdown.
• Also added 4 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 pass breakup.
DeANGELO MALONE
• Recorded a career high 3 sacks (for 26 yards lost), becoming the first WKU defender to reach that for a single-game mark since Nick Dawson-Brents in the 2016 Boca Raton Bowl.
• Is only the 4th different Hilltopper since 2007 to record a 3-plus sack game (Quanterus Smith three times, Dawson-Brents and Nick Holt) and the sixth such performance overall in that time frame.
• Recorded 4 tackles for loss overall (for 30 yards lost), pushing his 2019 total to 13.0, tied for the most by a WKU player in a single-season since 2014 (Keith Brown in 2016).
• Pushed his season sack total to 7.0. Came into the 2019 campaign with 7.5 sacks in 2017 and 2018 combined.
• Also led WKU with 9 tackles (6 solo, 3 assisted) and 3 quarterback hurries. For the 2019 campaign, he leads the Hilltoppers with 46 tackles and 6 quarterback hurries.
KYLE BAILEY
• The defending Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week recorded 8 tackles (7 solo, 1 assisted), including 1 tackle for loss and 1 quarterback hurry.
• Pushed his season total to 42 tackles, ranking second on WKU to only DeAngelo Malone.
DAMON LOWE
• Recorded a career-high 8 tackles (5 solo, 3 assisted) and 1 pass breakup.
• Was called for a targeting penalty in the third quarter while attempting to make a tackle across the middle. Will have to miss the first half of WKU's upcoming game vs. Army.
POST-GAME QUOTES
"Again just outstanding by the defense, I mean I can't say enough about it. Really was a great team win, to be quite honest with you. The offense did some really good things overall. We struggled in the first half, not necessarily moving the ball but just doing the right things. We came out in the second half and I thought offensively really answered the call. Had a long drive for over seven minutes when we needed to get it. So I was really proud of the offense and how they responded. But again, defense was outstanding, can't say enough about them."
On how the defense has been able to be so successful...
"First off they're well-coached, the defensive staff does a great job. They're playing with a lot of confidence and they believe in each other, they believe in this team. I've been on a lot of football teams, but never one this close, that believes they can go out there and accomplish a lot of things. Very, very proud to be their head football coach."
On offensive balance and success in the second half...
"It was very good balance tonight. I thought we controlled the ball well, I thought the offensive line did a great job in the run game and Gaej [Walker] ran hard against a really good defense. I thought we had control of the drives for the most part, we allowed our guys to be in good positions [to be successful]. Those two drives that hurt us, we just have to finish them."
On if it was one of their better defensive performances of the season:
"Every week we're just getting better and better. We've looked very good defensively – I'm excited for our future."
On how it feels to be 3-0 in conference play:
"It's just a blessing, but we can't be dependent on that record. We've just got to keep working and getting better each week."
Freshman tight end Joshua Simon
On being undefeated in conference play:
"It feels pretty good knowing we're 3-0, we had a lot of outside doubt coming into this season. But, we've got to continue to work – it doesn't end here. In about 48 hours this win won't mean anything, we've got to get ready for the next one."
On his touchdown catch:
"I knew I had to make a play there, with the missed touchdown earlier – I had an opportunity to make a play and was just off a little bit. So, when I got that next opportunity I made the best of it."
Graduate senior quarterback Ty Storey
On the final touchdown drive putting the game away:
"That drive was big. After that drive we definitely felt better about it. But, it was one of those nights where we shot ourselves in the foot a little too much – it seemed like we were driving and then there'd be a mistake. But we showed promise, if we can clean that stuff up we can get where we want to. With our defense and the way they're playing, if we can get where we want to offensively we're going to be a good team."
On being able to lean on the defense while the offense is working to find a rhythm:
"Knowing you have a defense like we do is definitely a really good feeling. We still have to go out there and put up points, but those guys having our back is big-time. Like I said, if we keep working and getting this offense rolling – and we've shown at times where it is like that – we've just got to get more consistent about it."
Redshirt senior nickelback Ta'Corian Darden
On why the defense has been playing so well:
"There's been great leadership and everybody on our defense knows that they have to do their job. We have a motto; whatever it takes. Do whatever it takes to get the win. That's what every single position is doing and we're coming together as a team and making plays and just having fun out there."
On his interception:
"The receiver came to my zone, which was the flats, and I just shot it. Right before I made the tackle I knew that he'd tipped it and I saw the ball and I just put my hands out for the ball and kind of hit him also – so it was kind of two things there. I just tried to hold on to the ball and my teammates came and helped me get out of the pile and we just celebrated after."
TY STOREY
• Completed 21-of-28 attempts for 193 yards passing, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
• Completed passes to nine different WKU receivers, including a game high 7 to Jahcour Pearson.
• Had chunk completions to Pearson for 25 yards and Quin Jernighan for a game-high 29 yards.
• Carried 8 times for 12 yards (31 gain, 19 lost), including a long rush of 15.
GAEJ WALKER
• Carried 25 times for 114 yards (120 gain, 6 lost), with 1 touchdown and 1 fumble lost.
• Had a chunk run of 25 yards in the third quarter, the longest since his 68-yard touchdown run vs. Central Arkansas on the first carry of his career in the season opener.
• Leads the Hilltoppers with 4 rushing touchdowns this season.
JAHCOUR PEARSON
• Caught 7 passes for 67 yards, both of which led WKU. The 7 receptions tied a career high, which he set vs. Central Arkansas in the season opener.
• Leads the Hilltoppers with 28 receptions for 291 yards for the season. Came into the 2019 campaign with 20 receptions for 172 yards in 2017 and 2018 combined.
JOSHUA SIMON
• Caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ty Storey in the fourth quarter to extend WKU's lead to 20-3.
• Leads the Hilltoppers with 4 touchdowns this season. Of his 8 receptions, 4 have been for scores.
Ta'CORIAN DARDEN
• Had the 6th interception of his WKU career in the second quarter, leading to a Hilltopper touchdown.
• Also added 4 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 pass breakup.
DeANGELO MALONE
• Recorded a career high 3 sacks (for 26 yards lost), becoming the first WKU defender to reach that for a single-game mark since Nick Dawson-Brents in the 2016 Boca Raton Bowl.
• Is only the 4th different Hilltopper since 2007 to record a 3-plus sack game (Quanterus Smith three times, Dawson-Brents and Nick Holt) and the sixth such performance overall in that time frame.
• Recorded 4 tackles for loss overall (for 30 yards lost), pushing his 2019 total to 13.0, tied for the most by a WKU player in a single-season since 2014 (Keith Brown in 2016).
• Pushed his season sack total to 7.0. Came into the 2019 campaign with 7.5 sacks in 2017 and 2018 combined.
• Also led WKU with 9 tackles (6 solo, 3 assisted) and 3 quarterback hurries. For the 2019 campaign, he leads the Hilltoppers with 46 tackles and 6 quarterback hurries.
KYLE BAILEY
• The defending Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week recorded 8 tackles (7 solo, 1 assisted), including 1 tackle for loss and 1 quarterback hurry.
• Pushed his season total to 42 tackles, ranking second on WKU to only DeAngelo Malone.
DAMON LOWE
• Recorded a career-high 8 tackles (5 solo, 3 assisted) and 1 pass breakup.
• Was called for a targeting penalty in the third quarter while attempting to make a tackle across the middle. Will have to miss the first half of WKU's upcoming game vs. Army.
POST-GAME QUOTES
WKU HEAD COACH TYSON HELTON
Opening statement..."Again just outstanding by the defense, I mean I can't say enough about it. Really was a great team win, to be quite honest with you. The offense did some really good things overall. We struggled in the first half, not necessarily moving the ball but just doing the right things. We came out in the second half and I thought offensively really answered the call. Had a long drive for over seven minutes when we needed to get it. So I was really proud of the offense and how they responded. But again, defense was outstanding, can't say enough about them."
On how the defense has been able to be so successful...
"First off they're well-coached, the defensive staff does a great job. They're playing with a lot of confidence and they believe in each other, they believe in this team. I've been on a lot of football teams, but never one this close, that believes they can go out there and accomplish a lot of things. Very, very proud to be their head football coach."
On offensive balance and success in the second half...
"It was very good balance tonight. I thought we controlled the ball well, I thought the offensive line did a great job in the run game and Gaej [Walker] ran hard against a really good defense. I thought we had control of the drives for the most part, we allowed our guys to be in good positions [to be successful]. Those two drives that hurt us, we just have to finish them."
HILLTOPPER PLAYERS
Junior defensive end DeAngelo MaloneOn if it was one of their better defensive performances of the season:
"Every week we're just getting better and better. We've looked very good defensively – I'm excited for our future."
On how it feels to be 3-0 in conference play:
"It's just a blessing, but we can't be dependent on that record. We've just got to keep working and getting better each week."
Freshman tight end Joshua Simon
On being undefeated in conference play:
"It feels pretty good knowing we're 3-0, we had a lot of outside doubt coming into this season. But, we've got to continue to work – it doesn't end here. In about 48 hours this win won't mean anything, we've got to get ready for the next one."
On his touchdown catch:
"I knew I had to make a play there, with the missed touchdown earlier – I had an opportunity to make a play and was just off a little bit. So, when I got that next opportunity I made the best of it."
Graduate senior quarterback Ty Storey
On the final touchdown drive putting the game away:
"That drive was big. After that drive we definitely felt better about it. But, it was one of those nights where we shot ourselves in the foot a little too much – it seemed like we were driving and then there'd be a mistake. But we showed promise, if we can clean that stuff up we can get where we want to. With our defense and the way they're playing, if we can get where we want to offensively we're going to be a good team."
On being able to lean on the defense while the offense is working to find a rhythm:
"Knowing you have a defense like we do is definitely a really good feeling. We still have to go out there and put up points, but those guys having our back is big-time. Like I said, if we keep working and getting this offense rolling – and we've shown at times where it is like that – we've just got to get more consistent about it."
Redshirt senior nickelback Ta'Corian Darden
On why the defense has been playing so well:
"There's been great leadership and everybody on our defense knows that they have to do their job. We have a motto; whatever it takes. Do whatever it takes to get the win. That's what every single position is doing and we're coming together as a team and making plays and just having fun out there."
On his interception:
"The receiver came to my zone, which was the flats, and I just shot it. Right before I made the tackle I knew that he'd tipped it and I saw the ball and I just put my hands out for the ball and kind of hit him also – so it was kind of two things there. I just tried to hold on to the ball and my teammates came and helped me get out of the pile and we just celebrated after."
