This is the most improved team in the Sun Belt
Conference along with ULM. But I have to give it to the Hilltoppers for their
back to back wins over SEC Kentucky and C-USA Southern Miss.
The Hilltoppers is responding and playing well, and has
become a real competitive team in the division 1 play. Coach Willie Taggert has
shown that he can turn around a ailing program.
Western
Kentucky's offensive line paved the way for 369 yards rushing on Saturday night
as the Hilltoppers beat Southern Mississippi 42-17.
Antonio
Andrews accounted for 136 rushing yards, 74 receiving yards and two
touchdowns in the victory. Freshman Leon Allen rushed for 132 yards
and a touchdown on 11 carries. It was the 28th time Western Kentucky has had
two 100-yard rushers, and the first time since 2008.
"Whenever
you can get two 100-yard rushers, (the offensive line) is doing a great
job," coach Willie Taggart said. "Those guys were physical, and they
kept coming off the sideline saying, `Coach, keep running it."
Western
Kentucky is 3-1 for the first time since 2008. Southern Miss is 0-3 for the
first time since 1976.
The
Hilltoppers amassed 560 yards of total offense while playing in front of a
crowd of 23,252 -- the biggest in school history.
Southern
Miss came back with a 13-yard touchdown pass by third-string quarterback Lloyd
to Tyre Bracken. Western Kentucky standout safety Jonathan Dowling was
ejected from the game after hitting Bracken in the head after the catch.
Per
Sun Belt Conference rules, Dowling must sit out the next game, which is a Sun
Belt opener against defending league champ Arkansas State on Saturday night in
Jonesboro, Ark.
I
expect this to be a awesome conference game in Jonesboro, AR has Coach Taggart
and Malzahn debut their new offenses. I expect this to be a high scoring game. Can
I get 42+ combine points or more?
Top Performers
Passing: K.
Jakes (WKU) - 172 YDS, 3 TD
Rushing: A.
Andrews (WKU) - 15 CAR, 136 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving: A.
Andrews (WKU) - 4 REC, 74 YDS, 1 TD
