It was an
explosive day in Bowling Green that resulted in a showcase of talent, as new Head
coach Bobby Petrino watch his new team prepare for what could be their
championship year in football and second bowl appearance in FBS history.
Behind 509
total yards of offense, including 314 yards passing from junior quarterback Brandon
Doughty, the WKU Red Team took down the White Team 42-3 in front of an
estimated 6,500 fans at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on Saturday in
the annual Spring Game.
The Red
Team, comprised of the first team-offense and the first-team defense, accounted
for a total of 357 yards through the air, while churning out 152 yards rushing
on 27 carries, averaging more than five yards per rush, while limiting the
White Team to 159 yards of total offense.
Western
Kentucky wide receivers Willie McNeal and tight end Mitchell
Henry proved to be lethal for the Red Team, as the duo combined for 209
yards receiving on 13 catches and five touchdown grabs. McNeal has a good day
as he hauled in seven catches for 115 yards and three scores, while Henry had
94 yards receiving on six catches and two touchdowns. Henry was one of three
total tight ends to catch multiple passes on Saturday, as his Red Team
counterpart Tyler Higbee caught three passes for 73 yards and a touchdown,
while White Team tight end Tim Gorski had three catches for 36 yards.
Head coach
Petrino has put together a staff to assist him getting this explosion to happen
with the Hilltoppers. Looking into the fall and to who will lead the team to
their victories was something to watch on yesterday.
All eyes
were on the three WKU quarterbacks on Saturday, as Doughty led the Red Team,
while James Mauro played primarily on the White Team and Damarcus
Smith split reps with both the Red and the White team. Doughty finished
his day 23-of-35 for 314 yards and five touchdowns, with three of the touchdown
passes going to Willie McNeal. Mauro threw for 107 yards on 8-of-18
passing, while Smith totaled 83 yards passing on 6-of-16 passing with one
touchdown.
Not only did
the offense score and perform well, the defense rocked along to be impressive
to. "I thought defensively we did a nice job," WKU head coach Bobby
Petrino said.
We will wait
and see who Coach Bobby Petrino name as starting quarterback this fall, as
expected if nothing happens I expect him to name Brandon Doughty as starting
quarterback.
