WKU (3-3, 0-2 C-USA) at Middle Tennessee (3-3, 0-2 C-USA)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 15
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. CT
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Floyd Stadium)
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: WKLX (SAM 100.7 FM) and WWKU (ESPN Radio 102.7 FM) in Bowling Green
Social: @WKUFootball | @WKUSports
Game Notes: WKU | Middle Tennessee
Game Day Information: Live Stats
NOTES AND QUOTES
- Located approximately 100 miles apart, Western Kentucky University and Middle Tennessee State University are natural, regional rivals, not to mention Conference USA rivals. Since 2007, the Hilltoppers and Blue Raiders have met every year with the exception of 2013. There are 71 meetings between the two schools all time.
- By beating Middle Tennessee 48-21 in last season's matchup, Western Kentucky evened the all-time series with the Blue Raiders at a count of 35-35-1. MTSU had a sizeable lead in the series, but the Tops have been dominant as of late, winning six of the last seven meetings to tie things up at 35 wins apiece. The two schools played to a 7-7 tie in 1925, and Saturday's game will break the series tie.
- The Rivalry between the Hilltoppers and Blue Raiders has been tightly contested as eight of the last 11 meetings have been decided by one score or less. There was also a stretch from 2011-2017 where four games were decided in overtime. Two of those games went to double overtime and the other two were triple-overtime thrillers. Of those four overtime games, WKU won three of them.
- Neither WKU or MTSU has won four-consecutive games in the 100 Miles of Hate Rivalry since the Blue Raiders won five in a row from 1981-85. The Hilltoppers last won four in a row in the series from 1973-76. The longest streak in the series belongs to WKU after it won seven-consecutive games from 1928-1935. WKU will look to win its fourth straight versus MTSU on Saturday.
- In last year's version of 100 Miles of Hate, the Western Kentucky defense came away with six interceptions, and also recovered a fumble. MTSU and WKU ended up finishing that season first and second in the nation, respectively, in total takeaways. This year, the Hilltopper defense is currently second in the nation in forced turnovers with a total of 15 so far. Nine of those 15 turnovers have been interceptions, which places the WKU defense seventh in the nation for interceptions.
- A season ago, after losing a one-score game to UTSA, WKU went on to win seven-consecutive games and earn a place in the Conference USA Championship game. That streak began with a road win the following week at Old Dominion. This year's version of the Hilltoppers will hope to replicate last year's success after a tough defeat against the Roadrunners.
-Tyson Helton on this week's game at MTSU
"You know, again, they're doing some good things. They're a big zone run football team and like I said they mix in the quarterback run game and you know really their MO right now is go fast, spread you out, go sideline to sideline, have all different route concepts that you have to cover and all those things so when it comes to the run game. It's kind of like us you know that the box is right you know, I mean they're looking for the five man box and looking to get the angles for the offensive line and so you know that's helped them and they utilize the run game well."
-Helton on stopping MTSU's run game
"First up front, they've got a really good front, you know, they're playing four down front, they're very multiple with what they do but they get after you with their front four. And their pressure packages are good, you know. They know how to attack your pass protections, you know. They understand if you're going to make five down calls and you can see how they utilize those pressures and so yeah. They know what they're doing and that's why they're having success on getting sacks and getting and getting some turnovers, getting to the quarterback to throw them the football. It will be a great test for the offensive line, you know, we're going to have to be at the top of our game."
-Helton on the MTSU defense
LAST TIME OUT
The Hilltoppers traveled to UTSA and fell, 31-28, in a hard-fought matchup that came down to the final possession. WKU was driving on its final possession but could not convert on a crucial fourth down attempt to keep the game alive. Austin Reed threw for 373 yards and two touchdowns, while adding another on the ground, and Derrick Smith led the defensive effort with 10 tackles, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE
The Blue Raiders enter Saturday's rivalry showdown with an identical 3-3 record, but an 0-2 mark in conference play. MTSU owns wins over Colorado State, Tennessee State and Miami so far this season. Chase Cunningham quarterbacks Middle Tennessee with 1,564 yards and nine touchdowns on a 66.6 completion percentage this season. His top target is Jaylin Lane, who has 469 yards and two touchdowns on 30 catches. Defensively, Teldrick Ross leads the team with 47 tackles.
SERIES HISTORY
The Hilltoppers and Blue Raiders are deadlocked at 35-35-1 in the series. WKU has won three-straight meetings and six of the last seven.
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