PICKS APLENTY: Hilltopper Defense Intercepts MTSU Six Times in 48-21 Win

Saturday, November 6

Bowling Green, KY

2:30 PM

Western Kentucky University

5-4 , 4-1

Middle Tennessee

4-5 , 2-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Middle Tennessee

WKU

Photo by: Steve Roberts, WKU Athletics

PICKS APLENTY: Hilltopper Defense Intercepts MTSU Six Times in 48-21 Win

11/6/2021 8:20:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Postgame Interviews: HC Helton | WR Sterns and QB Zappe | DT Darvin and DB Bishop

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU Football's defense forced seven turnovers – including six interceptions – in a 48-21 victory over rival Middle Tennessee on Saturday. The Hilltoppers have now defeated the Blue Raiders six of the past seven seasons.

The six interceptions were the most by WKU in the program's FBS Era (since 2009), only one behind the all-time record of seven, which the Hilltoppers have achieved on two occasions in the program's 103-season history. Beanie Bishop led the way with two – including a 43-yard pick six in the first quarter – while Demetrius Cain, Kahlef Hailassie, Jaden Hunter and Davion Williams had one apiece.

On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Bailey Zappe and wide receiver Jerreth Sterns had yet another productive day. Zappe completed 29-of-50 passes (58%) for 281 yards, with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also added an eight-yard touchdown rush in the third quarter for his second-straight five-score game.

Sterns had 11 receptions for 110 yards, his sixth-straight double-digit catch game and his seventh 100-yard performance of the year. In the second quarter – with his sixth reception of the game – Sterns reached 99 for the campaign, which passed Taywan Taylor's 98 catches in 2016 to set a new WKU single-season program record.

After MTSU opened the game with a touchdown drive, the Hilltoppers responded with 21 straight points. The run was capped by Bishop's interception return for touchdown, WKU's first since Eli Brown's vs. FIU in the team's final home game of 2020.

The Blue Raiders scored a touchdown at 9:08 of the second quarter to bring the score within 21-14, then WKU went on a 27-0 run over the next 17 minutes, culminating in a 43-yard Brayden Narveson field goal with 7:38 left in the third quarter. The Hilltoppers' lead stood at 48-14, and only allowed one touchdown the rest of the game for the 48-21 final score.

With the team's fourth-consecutive win, WKU improved to 5-4 overall and 4-1 in Conference USA play, while MTSU dropped to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in C-USA games. The Hilltoppers are tied with Marshall (5-4 overall and 4-1 in C-USA) for first in the league's East Division.

Next up, WKU travels to Houston, Texas, on Saturday, November 13, for a 1 p.m. matchup at Rice. The Owls have lost back-to-back overtime contests against North Texas and Charlotte to drop to 3-6 overall and 2-3 in C-USA action.

Postgame Quotes

Head coach Tyson Helton
Opening statement, discussing the turnover margin:
"Well, that was all the difference. We kind of flipped the script on them, going into this game that's all we talked about all week. They're leading the country in creating turnovers and then we go out there and we got seven. That was a fantastic job by our defense and really it was easy offensively most of the night because where the ball position was on the field. The defense did just a fantastic job, and it was just great to see because we were focusing all week on protecting the ball and not giving them the ball and then we came away with seven turnovers which was awesome."

When asked what makes Jerreth Sterns special after breaking the WKU record:
"Players make plays, you know, and some guys have the IT factor. It's not about being the biggest guy, it's about being a playmaker. When the lights turn on, he shows up and he balls out and that's what you're supposed to do. He has a passion for the game, he's the hardest working guy out there. But he really owns his craft and all those little details he focuses on those things, and he elevates the players around him. The other receivers play extremely well because he elevates their play as well, so it's just good to see him week in and week out. And then tonight he broke three or four tackles that should have been tackles for loss, but he turns them in to positive plays. So, all those good things add up at the end of the game and you can look back and say that's why we win because our players show up and make those plays."

When asked if he felt this was another complete team win:
"I did, but I think it was more of a defensive domination tonight. Seven turnovers is outstanding, so offensively where we were getting the ball is more like don't screw it up. You'll go out there and score points if you don't screw it up, so that made it a very easy night for us offensively and that's what you want to have at the end of the day. If you ask what the perfect game is, I would say the defense goes out there and totally dominates that way because it makes it easy on your offense. When you have a really good offense, the pressure isn't on them to go out and score every time. And when you get defensive scores like we did tonight that was huge. We just talk all the time about stacking wins and just keep stacking those little wins up and good things are going to happen. As long as we stay in control of our own destiny that's all that matters."

Graduate senior quarterback Bailey Zappe
On how it feels to play in this Hilltopper offense:
"It's a blast to score points, let me tell you. It's awesome. Going into this game, Middle Tennessee, I believe they were the number one defense in causing turnovers. We watch film, they're able to cause turnovers on quarterbacks, teams, and offenses that they try to compare to us. To be able to not give them those turnovers like everybody else did and be able to play fundamentally sound and play like we play. Even though there were some mistakes here and there, we'll clean that up tomorrow. But overall, it's fun to play in this offense. I've been playing in it for four years. I have a lot better guys around me now here and it's fun."

Junior wide receiver Jerreth Sterns
On breaking WKU's single-season receptions record:
"It means a lot, but I can't do it without Bailey over here. I don't want to say that because he's feeling himself, but I can't do it without Bailey. The other receivers we have, they're just phenomenal playmakers. It just makes it easier on me, and then obviously, the o-line, giving Bailey time to do what he does. But it's just a tribute to everyone else around me, so it's a blessing."

Redshirt senior defensive tackle Jeremy Darvin
On the defense being able to pressure the quarterback:
"These last few weeks have been super fun because like you said, a lot of times to begin the season we were in a hole a lot, so teams were coming out and running the ball on us. We can defend the run as pretty well, but obviously you want to pin your ears back and get to the pass rusher. So you know, offense coming out and starting strong, and defense starting strong as well, that puts teams behind a lot and we have a bunch of guys that can get to that pass rusher, both inside and out. So any time we get that opportunity, we all just cherish on them, feed on it. Pass rush and coverage go hand in hand, so it was good to see the front end and back end have success today."

Redshirt sophomore defensive back Beanie Bishop
On preparing and taking advantage of his opportunities:
"I think it's just going into it with proper preparation. Just practicing the same way every day, working hard, staying humble, trying to just do the things that I'm supposed to do and being where I'm supposed to be. God blessed me and put me in those situations to show what I'm capable of, and once I got the ball, just show how much of an athlete I am."