WKU HILLTOPPERS (1-1, 1-0 C-USA) vs. UofLÂ CARDINALSÂ (1-1, 0-0 ACC)
Saturday, September 14 | 3 p.m. CT | Nissan Stadium | Nashville, Tenn.
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Saturday, September 14 | 3 p.m. CT | Nissan Stadium | Nashville, Tenn.
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| WKU FOOTBALL TRAVELS TO MUSIC CITY TO FACE OFF AGAINST IN-STATE RIVAL The Hilltoppers are looking to end an 10-game losing streak in their head-to-head series vs. the Cardinals |
NOTING THE GAME
- In 2018, the Hilltoppers and Cardinals renewed a series that dates back to 1922 in the first of a three-game series beginning in 2018. The two teams had not met since 1998 on the gridiron and every game since 1955 (15 consecutive) have been played in Louisville. After a 20-17 loss at Cardinal Stadium last season, the Hilltoppers are seeking their first win in the series since 1975, a 21-17 victory.
- The 33rd all-time matchup between WKU and Louisville will be the first at a neutral site; the Hilltoppers are the designated home team. The Cardinals have an 18-4 advantage in Louisville, while WKU is 8-2 at home.
- The Cardinals are only the third active ACC member WKU has faced in program history. WKU is 2-0 vs. Miami (1930, 1931) prior to the creation of the ACC in 1953 and 0-1 against Virginia Tech (2008).
- In last season's matchup, WKU jumped out to a 14-0 lead over Louisville on a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Davis Shanley to tight end Kyle Fourtenbary at the 0:07 mark of the first quarter, then a three-yard touchdown rush by Shanley at the 12:40 mark of the second quarter. Facing a 14-6 deficit entering the fourth quarter, the Cardinals got a pair of touchdown runs by Dae Williams to clinch the 20-17 win. A 51-yard field goal attempt by Hilltopper kicker Ryan Nuss was pushed just wide right as time expired.
RED AND WHITE RETURNS TO NISSAN STADIUM
- This will be the third game all-time for WKU at Nissan Stadium, as the Hilltoppers have previously played Kentucky in 2013 (W, 35-26) and 2011 (L, 3-14).
- At the site previously named L.P. Field (from 2006-15), WKU defeated the Wildcats by a score of 35-26 in head coach Bobby Petrino's WKU coaching debut. Quarterback Brandon Doughty completed 27-of-34 passes for 271 yards and one touchdown and zero interceptions. The Hilltopper rushing attack of Antonio Andrews (20 carries for 99 yards and one touchdown), Leon Allen (10 carries for 92 yards and one touchdown) and Keshawn Simpson (eight carries for 34 yards and two touchdowns) compiled 216 yards and four touchdowns on 41 carries. The WKU defense compiled 10 tackles for loss, including three sacks. Defensive end Xavius Boyd led the team with 10 tackles, including three tackles for loss, and two sacks. Petrino was only with the Hilltoppers for the 2013 campaign, as WKU finished 8-4 that year.
- In 2011, kicker Casey Tinius made a 41-yard field goal at the 6:40 mark of the first quarter to give the Hilltoppers a 3-0 lead, but Kentucky scored the final 14 points of the game to secure the 14-3 win. Quarterback Kawaun Jakes completed only 9-of-27 passes for 93 yards, with zero touchdowns and four interceptions, while running back Bobby Rainey finished with 28 carries for 105 yards. Defensively, Derrius Brooks, Jared Clendenin and Vince Williams each intercepted Wildcat quarterback Morgan Newton.
WKU AMONG FBS LEADERS IN MANY CATEGORIES
Thru two games, Hilltoppers rank among the best in FBS in a handful of statistics:
- Punter John Haggerty ranks second (among players with seven-plus kicks) with a gross average of 50.9 yards.
- Tied for seventh in sacks allowed with only one of quarterback Steven Duncan.
- Running back Gaej Walker ranks 11th with 252 yards rushing and is tied for seventh with 46 carries.
- Tied for 14th in opponent third down conversions at a rate of only 25% (7-of-28).
- 16th in time of possession with an average of 34:10 per game.
- Tied for 20th in tackles for loss with 16.0 by the defense.
- 25th in rushing defense with an average of 85.5 yards allowed per game.
CORY MUNSON NAMED CONFERENCE USA SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
- The kicker was named C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week, it was announced on Monday. The freshman connected on field goals of 44 and 19 yards in the second half, which ultimately ended up being the difference in WKU's 20-14 victory at FIU to begin the 2019 C-USA season.
- Overall, Munson went 2-for-2 in field goal attempts and 2-for-2 on extra-point tries for eight points scored, had 3-of-4 kickoffs go into the end zone for touchbacks and perfectly executed a surprise onside kick in the first half to get the ball back to the Hilltoppers. The Warner Robins, Ga., native is currently only 1-of-11 true freshmen starting kickers on FBS teams.
- Munson is the first WKU player to be named C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week since returner Kylen Towner, when he returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and added a 32-yard punt return later in the Hilltoppers' 60-6 victory at Marshall on Nov. 26, 2016.
- He is the first WKU football player to earn C-USA weekly recognition of any kind since quarterback Mike White completed 39-of-54 passes for 485 yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions in the Hilltoppers' 41-38 triple-overtime win against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 17, 2017.
KYLE FOURTENBARYÂ NAMED HONORABLE MENTION JOHN MACKEY TE OF THE WEEK
- Tight end Kyle Fourtenbary was named honorable mention John Mackey Tight End of the Week, it was announced on Tuesday. The junior caught five passes for a career-high 74 yards in WKU's 20-14 victory at FIU to begin the Conference USA season.
- Fourtenbary – who was listed as 1-of-60 FBS players on the 2019 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List prior to the season – had receptions of 22, four, 10, 10 and 28 yards from quarterback Steven Duncan, all five of which went for first downs.
- It was the fourth time in the Opelika, Ala., native's career that he caught five or more passes in a game, and the 28-yard reception tied for the second-longest during his Hilltopper career. He now had 50 receptions for 476 yards and two touchdowns since his collegiate debut in 2017.
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