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Haddix hoping to go 4-0 vs. EKU

Killtoppers90 — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 08:56:48 GMT

As Justin Haddix enters the final season of his college football career he can look back at a lot. Western Kentucky University has gone 24-13 since he was installed as the starting quarterback as a true freshman.

But there's one particular opponent he may enjoy beating more than all the others.

He'll attempt to beat Eastern Kentucky for the fourth time when the Hilltoppers (0-1) face the host Colonels (0-1) at 6 p.m. EDT tomorrow. Haddix, a former Breathitt County High School standout who grew up an Eastern fan, has plenty of motivation. Haddix had a scholarship offer rescinded by Eastern, which led him to Western.

It looks like WKU got the better of that deal, going to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs twice with him under center. Eastern hasn't seen the postseason since 1997.

But while Haddix says he does get some satisfaction out of beating an archrival, he played down having extra motivation for beating a program that spurned him.

"It would be nice," Haddix said of remaining unbeaten against the Colonels. "It's the next game on the schedule. We're ready to play. …. I'm happy I ended up where I did. Everything has worked out great for me. I want to stay healthy and have a good year. I have great teammates, and everybody supports me here. I love it here."

Haddix's statistics against Eastern aren't overwhelming. In three games, he has completed 55.7 percent of his passes for 492 yards and one touchdown, with one interception and three TD runs.

But Haddix has never been about statistics. He makes winning plays. In last year's game, Haddix threw a 17-yard completion on third-and-10 to help set up a game-winning field goal in a 23-21 victory.

In typical Haddix fashion, he handed off the credit to others.

He pointed out that Lerron Moore has been a huge factor against Eastern. Moore has totaled 409 rushing yards and four scores in those three games. Last season kicker Chris James went 3 for 3, including a 27-yarder as time expired.

"I have great players around me," Haddix said. "When you have Lerron Moore back there it makes it a lot easier on you. He makes big runs and big carries. It also helps to have a kicker like Chris James. If we get the ball in certain areas, he can score for us from there."

WKU coach David Elson said he's certain that Haddix will have extra motivation, but he added that playing a rivalry game creates plenty of motivation of its own.

Eastern is No. 23 in the I-AA poll, and Western is not ranked.

"Any kid who went through what he went though in the recruiting process, there's that competitive fire," Elson said of Haddix. "And it's Eastern. It's the Battle of the Bluegrass. With all of our seniors, we'd like to be able to say that they were successful against Eastern."

Michael Grant can be reached at (502) 582-4069.

Topper takedown, WKU roughed up by Bulldogs

Killtoppers90 — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 10:45:57 GMT

ATHENS, Ga. - Coming into its season opener, Western Kentucky knew it would need to avoid mistakes to stand a realistic chance of upsetting defending Southeastern Conference champion Georgia.

Five minutes and two costly mishaps later, the Hilltoppers found themselves down by two touchdowns en route to an ugly 48-12 loss.

“It's a loss and it's disappointing because you're only guaranteed 11 of these each year, but our guys know this is a different level. It is, there's no two ways about it,” WKU coach David Elson said. “We did our best and we'll learn from it.”

Although it may have looked like a dominating performance on the scoreboard, Georgia's offensive statistics left coach Mark Richt concerned as his team now looks to its conference opener next week at South Carolina. Known for their power running attack, the Bulldogs gained just 136 yards on 27 carries - with 41 of those coming on one run.

“The score doesn't necessarily mean the offense played well,” Richt said. “We've got to get better in all areas before we play South Carolina.”

The Hilltoppers' one and only break came on Tanner Siewert's first punt of the game, when Georgia's Mikey Henderson lost a handle on the ball going into the end zone after returning it 56 yards virtually untouched. As Henderson gathered the ball in, his foot was out of the back of the end zone. Although the play was initially ruled a touchdown, the Hilltoppers challenged the call and it was eventually overturned, giving WKU a touchback.

As fate would have it, however, Henderson wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Siewert boomed another long, high punt after WKU went three and out, which Henderson received and, like deja vu, returned back to the end zone, this time for a 67-yard score.

“It doesn't get much more frustrating than that,” Elson said. “A lot of guys came off the sidelines and said they just missed him, that they had him and just missed the tackle. We've got to get that corrected.”

Things went from bad to worse for the Hilltoppers the ensuing drive when halfback Lerron Moore fumbled as he tried to switch the ball to his outside hand on what looked to be a promising first-down carry. Georgia was quick to capitalize when quarterback Joe Tereshinski connected with tight end Mario Raley for an 18-yard touchdown on third and nine.

“It's just one of those things about playing smart. We always talk about how important turnovers are, especially that deep in your own end zone and especially against a team as good as Georgia,” Elson said.

Western Kentucky failed to earn a first down on its first seven offensive possessions, which resulted in excellent field position for Georgia throughout the first half. The Bulldogs' average starting field position was at the 50-yard line, while Western's was at its own 18.

“I think we made them earn what they got in the first half, but working on 50 yards of field and the punt returns is just frustrating,” Elson said. “You've got to try and grind out some first downs against a team like this and get some field position, but we just couldn't do it.”

The first time WKU moved the chains came with 2:43 remaining in the first half, when Haddix connected with wideout Jake Gaebler on first down for a 12-yard gain. It was also the first time the Tops moved the ball past their own 30-yard line.

The Bulldogs' defense truly dominated WKU, holding the Tops to just 193 yards on 92 plays.

“The defense had a bunch of three and outs and we tip our hats to them,” Richt said. “They made big plays, but we made mistakes too.”

The only bright spot of the first half was WKU's final offensive possession, when Haddix led an eight play, 80-yard drive capped off when he found Curtis Hamilton wide open for a 17-yard touchdown. Haddix went 4-of-6 on the drive and finished 12-of-27 for the game with 126 yards and one interception.

Haddix was replaced by backup Brandon Smith in the fourth quarter and was seen leaving the field with an ice pack on his left ankle. Haddix did confirm he turned his ankle, but the severity of it was unknown.

After deferring the opening coin toss to the Bulldog offense, the Hilltopper offense was unable to carry over any momentum from the late second quarter score on their opening possession, as they were forced to the sidelines after three plays. Once again with good field position, Tereshinski marched the Bulldogs down to the 17-yard line before Brandon Coutu was successful on a 34-yard field goal, making it 34-7.

Later, Georgia's Danny Ware took the ball off right tackle and bounced it outside and down the sidelines for a 40-yard score. Coutu added the extra point to make it 41-7 as the Bulldog faithful began filtering out of Sanford Stadium.

The triple-threat backfield for the Bulldogs - Ware, Brown and Kregg Lumpkin - rushed for a combined 123 yards on 21 carries, led by Ware's 68 yards.

WKU place-kicker Chris James added a 45-yard field goal with less than four minutes to play.

Western returns to action Saturday as it takes on rival Eastern Kentucky in the Battle of the Bluegrass in Richmond. While his team is disappointed now Elson, knows they'll be plenty motivated when they return to practice in preparation for the Colonels.

“A loss is a loss and we're not going to enjoy it, and it is what it is there, but we're going to look at this film and I guarantee you we're going to see some things that we like,” Elson said. “I think we'll be able to take some confidence from that as well as learn from it and get some corrections made and then go into the Battle of the Bluegrass with the right frame of mind.”
Photos by Joe Imel/Daily News Georgia’s Quentin Moses sacks Western Kentucky quarterback Justin Haddix in the Hilltoppers’ 48-12 loss Saturday at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.

WKU Notebook - Defense holds its own against UGA

Killtoppers90 — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 10:49:04 GMT

ATHENS, Ga. - Although the scoreboard shows Georgia put up 48 points Saturday, the one thing it will not indicate is the overall effort of the Hilltopper defense.
Joe Imel/Daily News Western Kentucky defenders Blake Boyd (left) and Evan Brewer (right) make the stop on Georgia running back Thomas Brown on Saturday in Athens, Ga.

Placed in tough situations throughout the game, the WKU defense gave up just 295 yards of total offense.

With an average field position of their own 46-yard line, the Bulldogs were working with a short field all day. WKU was especially tough on third down, holding Georgia on seven of 11 attempts.

Though Georgia is considered one of the top running teams in the SEC behind the trio of Thomas Brown, Kregg Lumpkin and Danny Ware, the Toppers were able to hold them to just 136 yards on 27 carries.

Considering the fact the Hilltopper offense only earned 12 first downs, many of which came in the second half with the Bulldog starters long removed, the defense gave a respectful performance.
Western Kentucky’s Tanner Siewert punts the ball Saturday against Georgia.

“It is what it is, 48 points is 48 points and it's our job to rise up and get them stopped,” WKU head coach David Elson said. “I thought we kept them pretty well contained and did a good job against the run.”

The defense even got in on the scoring - kind of.

Georgia was flagged for a holding penalty in the end zone with just over 10 minutes to play, resulting in a safety.

With archrival Eastern Kentucky looming next week, Elson said the defense has something they can build on as they prepare for the Colonels.
Western Kentucky's Andre Lewis (left) and Jon Hedges trip of Georgia's Kregg Lumpkin Saturday in Athens, Ga.

Boyd shines in first start

Playing in his first game as a Hilltopper, linebacker Blake Boyd didn't wait long to make his first big play. Not even knowing he would be the starter until gameday, Boyd reassured his coaches and teammates when he tackled Georgia halfback Thomas Brown for a three-yard loss on the first play from scrimmage.

Although WKU's momentum was short-lived, the play will stick out as a proud moment for Boyd.

“I had real good feel for what play they were going to run first play and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” Boyd said.

The redshirt freshman, who transferred from Louisville, finished the game with a team and game-high seven tackles.

Before the game, Boyd replace.

Siewert has busy day

Heading into the preseason camp, WKU junior punter Tanner Siewert found himself in a battle with freshman Jeremy Moore. A lack of consistency concerned the WKU coaches as Siewert's numbers fluctuated last season, especially toward the end of the year.

Siewert got off on the right foot Saturday as his first four punts went for an average of 46.5 yards.

“I was really proud of Tanner. It might be the best I've ever seen him kick it,” Elson said.

After the Bulldogs returned the first two kicks to the end zone - one nullified after a fumble through the end zone - Siewert's strategy of just kicking it long and high turned into kicking it away and toward the sidelines. By day's end, Siewert had an average of 39.5 yards per kick on 10 attempts.

Although Elson was pleased to see his punter kick the ball well, he says the competition is still open, especially if Siewert doesn't show the consistency the Toppers are looking for.

“Quite honestly, we were very concerned about Tanner going into the game as far as getting the consistency with the punts,” Elson said. “He started off early booming it and we just didn't get down and cover.”

Trench Notes

WKU junior wide receiver Curtis Hamilton proved why he's the frontrunner to be quarterback Justin Haddix's top target this season by tying his career high with four receptions and falling just six yards shy of his high with 71 yards. Hamilton caught a 17-yard bullet from Haddix right before halftime for the Tops' one and only touchdown.

Hamilton came into the season as the Tops' leading returning receiver after Maurice Perkins graduated and Chris Jackson did not return, despite having eligibility.

“Now it's my turn. Last year we had Mo Perk, so now it's me. We have good chemistry so I think we're going to do really good this year,” Hamilton said.

Making his first career start, WKU sophomore cornerback Travis Watters got his first collegiate interception when he plucked a deep Joe Tereshinski pass out of the air.

After catching the ball, Watters was unable to keep his balance and return it despite having plenty of running room to work with.

Watters finished the game with two tackles and two passes broken up. He was flagged for a questionable pass interference call in the end zone during the first half that set up a first-and-goal from the 2-yard line.

True freshman Tyrell Hayden came in relief of senior running back Lerron Moore in the fourth quarter and had 10 carries, including a nice off-tackle run for 17 yards. His 48 yards were enough to make him the team's leading rusher.

Injury Report

Haddix walked off the field with an ice pack on his left ankle.

Elson was unable to comment on Haddix's condition because the senior quarterback was whisked off to treatment after the team was dismissed from the locker room.

Other than Haddix, no Hilltoppers were injured.

“That's another positive that comes out of it, that you get out of it without any major injuries,” Elson said.

Hey Killtopper

isualum — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 18:31:02 GMT

I noticed our coach's son now plays at ISU and had played for WKU. Tony West is his name and he is a Tailback, did he play much at WKU and was he any good??

And what are the odds that WKU will really move up in FB??

Haddix Leads WKU Offense To Three Second-Quarter Touchdowns In Final Scrimmage

Killtoppers90 — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 08:51:16 GMT

Bowling Green, Ky. — Western Kentucky University quarterback Justin Haddix has pleased the coaching staff with his performance and the decisions he has made throughout preseason camp. Following Thursday’s final scrimmage at L.T. Smith Stadium/Jimmy Feix Field, there should be no reason for that evaluation to change.
Haddix threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns — completing 13-of-20 pass attempts — as the offense piled up 245 yards through the air en route to recording five scores.

“Justin really looks smooth and in complete control of what he is doing,” said WKU head coach David Elson. “He’s a coach on the field for us — I think you can have something special when the players on the field are able to almost read your mind as far as what you want, and Justin can do that.

“There’s no question that Justin’s performance in camp has helped us. You’re always concerned any time the offense gains a yard, but the better our offense is during the camp then the better our defense will be during the season. That’s the way we have approached it.”

K.J. Black was 3-of-5 passing for 44 yards and Brandon C. Smith added 38 yards while connecting on 2-of-3 attempts.

Haddix led the first-team offense on three scoring drives in the second quarter, beginning with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Jessie Quinn on the first play of the period to cap an 11-play, 70-yard march. He completed 4-of-5 passes on the possession for 58 yards, hitting Curtis Hamilton twice — that included a 28-yard gain down the right sideline with the offense facing 3rd-and-11 from its own 40-yard line.

The first-team offense took over on the defense’s 46-yard line to begin its next possession, which culminated with a Tyrell Hayden 3-yard touchdown run on 3rd-and-goal. Hayden rushed for 15 yards on the drive, while Haddix completed an 18-yard pass to Jake Gaebler and also scrambled 13 yards for a first down.

With just over two minutes remaining in the second period, Haddix led the offense down the field until he found Gaebler for a 17-yard scoring completion 18 seconds before the break. He accounted for all 86 yards of the 10-play possession that began on the 14-yard line, hitting 6-of-8 attempts for 82 yards while adding a 4-yard carry. Gaebler accounted for half of the completions and 40 yards receiving on the drive.

“I thought the two-minute drill was really good for us,” Elson said. “It revealed some things on defense that we can do better.”

Gaebler had five catches for 95 yards to pace the receiving corps, as Hamilton caught four passes for 57 yards and Kareem Garibaldi added four receptions for 46 yards. Quinn collected 42 yards on a pair of catches.

The defense fared much better against the run, though, allowing 84 yards on 47 attempts. Darvis McBride and Clay Stephens posted six stops each to pace WKU, while Rashad Etheridge added five stops. Both Blake Boyd and Ross ****ens were credited with both a sack and a tackle for loss to help the defense record nine stops behind the line of scrimmage.

The unit also caused a pair of fumbles. Orlando Misaalefua’s hit on Hayden knocked the ball loose as Brandon Mason picked it up and returned it 69 yards for a score in the second period. Jon Hedges also recovered a Garibaldi fumble in the second half.

“I think we kept it simple today, that was the key,” Elson said. “No matter what time of year it is, when we get to game day it has to be second nature for our guys. We have to be able to turn them loose and not put so much on them that they are thinking and become hesitant. We have proven that when we have a clear mind, we can be a pretty good defensive football team.”

The day ended with Black leading the third-team offense on a pair of touchdown marches that he ended with runs from 7 and 3 yards out. He moved the group 58 yards in 10 plays for the first score, hitting Garibaldi twice for 27 yards. The second possession — which was aided by a pair of personal foul calls — concluded with Black’s 3-yard bootleg to the left after Ronnie Letcher’s 11-yard gain gave the offense 1st-and-goal from the 8-yard line.

Hayden’s 50 yards on 15 carries led the Toppers’ running backs, while Letcher gained 31 yards on nine attempts and Philip Bates rushed nine times for another 21 yards.

“We approached it the way that I wanted to, our guys came out with a businesslike attitude — I thought we were focused,” said Elson. “It’s always tough when you go against each other and you’re on the same sideline. Early on the offense struggled, but they got in a groove. It’s a tough measuring stick because we’re not tackling Lerron [Moore].”

The Hilltoppers open the regular season Saturday, Sept. 2, with an 11:30 p.m. (CDT) start at I-A Georgia, with the game televised regionally by Lincoln Financial Sports.

Big Plays Help WKU Offense Control Second Half Of Football Scrimmage

Killtoppers90 — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 08:04:08 GMT

Justin Haddix threw for 144 yards, including two long touchdown passes, Saturday in the Toppers' first full scrimmage of preseason camp.

Bowling Green, Ky. — At Western Kentucky University’s annual Football Media Day earlier this month, offensive coordinator T.J. Weist talked about how explosive the Hilltopper offense can be in 2006. Saturday, Justin Haddix and Brandon C. Smith displayed why Weist is confident in his unit’s ability.
The duo threw three touchdown passes of 35 yards or more while combining to record 229 yards through the air in WKU’s first full scrimmage of preseason camp at L.T. Smith Stadium/Jimmy Feix Field.

“Justin is playing like a senior quarterback, he’s taking command of our offense,” said Topper head coach David Elson. “You can tell that he feels like he is in control. Justin is making very good decisions.

“I feel really good about our offense,” he continued. “I was telling our staff the other night that we are a tough offense to defend with all of our weapons.”

Haddix opened the scoring just before halftime when, with the offense starting at its own 45-yard line, he completed back-to-back passes to Jared Holland and Curtis Hamilton — the second was a 42-yard scoring play on a post pattern.

The offense struck again midway through the second half with 35-yard touchdown passes on consecutive plays. First, Haddix connected with Jessie Quinn down the right sideline before Smith found Seth Tamme on a crossing route just shy of the goal line.

Haddix completed 12-of-21 passes for 144 yards, and Smith was 6-of-9 for another 85. K.J. Black added 61 yards through the air on 5-of-7 passing while leading the third-team unit. Tamme led all receivers with eight catches for 118 yards, while Quinn added six receptions for 66 yards and Hamilton posted three for 58.

The finish overshadowed a strong start by the defense, which gave up just four first downs and 77 yards on the first five series. In fact, the offense managed just 93 yards on the ground in the scrimmage.

Brandon Mason, splitting time with the first- and second-team units, paced the defense with seven stops, with Jon Hedges adding five tackles. Evan Brewer, L.J. Harbison, Clint Mitchell and Ben Sowders added four stops each as the defense posted 11 tackles for loss including five sacks.

“Overall, I thought the defense was better, but we gave up some big pass plays and that’s a concern,” Elson said. “Obviously we still have a lot of work to do, but we are coming along.”

Andrew McCloud was the Hilltoppers’ leading rusher after finishing with 68 yards on 17 carries. Tyrell Hayden recorded 31 yards on 10 attempts, while Lerron Moore rushed six times for 22 yards while playing just two series.

Chris James kicked a 36-yard field goal late in the second half for the only other points of the day. Tanner Siewert had one punt roll for 52 yards and Jeremy Moore averaged 40.5 yards per punt on four kicks. That included a 50-yard effort in the first half, and a 38-yard punt on his final kick in the second half that Dennis Mitchell downed inside the 1-yard line.

“I thought we accomplished what we wanted to as far as the number of plays we ran and the special teams work we got done,” said Elson. “There was good effort on both sides of the ball. You always like to look at the film before you make any true evaluation of the scrimmage.

“The thing that is tough right now is figuring where we are at because of injuries. We realize that it’s a part of camp, but it is always a factor.”

The Hilltoppers will have Sunday off for the second straight week, then return to the field for two practice sessions Monday. WKU will workout at 8:20 a.m. (CDT) and 6:40 p.m., then will conclude Tuesday’s 2:40 p.m. practice with it’s final mini-scrimmage of preseason camp.

WKU Mini-Scrimmage

Killtoppers90 — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 06:41:50 GMT

OFFENSE IN CONTROL AT FIRST MINI-SCRIMMAGE

Western Kentucky University’s first football mini-scrimmage of preseason camp Tuesday at L.T. Smith Stadium/Jimmy Feix Field saw the offense control play in the red zone after going through third-down drills. Justin Haddix completed 9-of-11 pass attempts for four touchdowns as the first-team offense scored on every possession during the second drill. Curtis Hamilton caught two short scoring passes, Chris Brunemann was the recipient of a 4-yard touchdown catch and Haddix found Rannen Roberson in the back right corner of the end zone from 24 yards out on the first red zone drive. “I was really impressed with the offense,” said WKU head coach David Elson. “You can just tell that Justin has a real command of our offense, he’s executing very well along with the rest of the group. I told the team afterward that the better our offense is, the better our defense will be. “The defense has a lot of work to do, but I see the things that we need to see behind the scenes that show that we have the makings of a very good group. They just need to continue to improve.”

WKU's Prez wants open talk abput move to 1-A

Killtoppers90 — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:06:18 GMT

Ransdell addresses critics
WKU to hold forums on move to I-A football
By BRIAN WHITE, The Daily News, bwhite@bgdailynews.com/783-3243
Thursday, August 17, 2006 1:30 PM CDT

The president of Western Kentucky University addressed criticism of his focus on fundraising and construction and described plans for the future this morning at his annual speech to faculty and staff.

The university has $541 million in current and ongoing construction projects, both at the school's main campus in Bowling Green and at satellite campuses in Owensboro, Elizabethtown and Franklin, President Gary Ransdell said.

And since he began as president in 1997, the school's endowment has grown dramatically, up to $86 million as of June 30 this year.

Ransdell said his emphasis on those areas had drawn criticism from some faculty and staff who have said that “the job of president involves more than just raising money and building buildings.”

“I have thought a lot about that statement,” Ransdell said to a mostly packed Van Meter Auditorium. “It is true to a degree, but, to get to the heart of the job description, I would add three things. Defining and sustaining a vision for the university, leading a strategic plan and dealing with internal and external politics.”

But in the end, “it will indeed come down to raising public and private money and building and renovating buildings,” he said.

“If I am not doing those two things, then I am not playing to my strengths, and WKU is not getting its money's worth,” Ransdell said.

Raising money allows Western to pursue its goals, fund the work of the faculty and improve what the campus offers in terms of facilities and resources, he said. It is the president who can raise the funds and support for a university to be better, Ransdell said.

“I cannot, however, help you teach and conduct research in your respective disciplines,” he said. “I cannot personally strengthen our academic quality. It is my job to ensure that we have a campus capable and an environment suitable enough for you to build a strong academic community. It is you who will achieve our vision.”

Ransdell asked the employees to “trust me to do what I do well. I am going to trust you to do what you do well.”

In addition to continuing construction, Western will have discussions about the football program and put an emphasis both on academic programs for highly talented students and on programs that serve the community, Ransdell said.

[highlight=#ffff11]For several years, there has been some talk about Western's football program upgrading from Division I-AA to I-A, the most challenging level of college football.

“This is an important matter which warrants an open, objective campus dialogue,” Ransdell said. “I will conduct several forums this fall devoted to this discussion.”[/highlight]

The university's honors program is preparing for a major expansion in size and mission, he said. Honors Director Craig Cobane is examining ways to do this, so that the program will be “capable of attracting many of our state's and our nation's best students,” Ransdell said.

Cobane is studying other programs and what lies in the future for honors students, Ransdell said.

“Like Wayne Gretzky skated to where the puck will be, I want Craig to anticipate where the best honors programs will be in 10 years and move us in that direction,” Ransdell said.

It is important that research done at Western be used to serve the community, Ransdell said. This is done both through commercialization of some areas and in meeting needs that are not traditionally well-served in rural communities, he said.

Some of Western's science researchers are using their disciplines to sell services like power-plant emissions monitoring to companies in the region, rather than simply doing research in a lab. This is important as a revenue source, as a teaching tool for students and as a way for Western to contribute to regional development, Ransdell said.

“We are learning more and more how to take existing knowledge in our classrooms and laboratories and apply it to the identification and solving of the problems of those people and in those communities,” he said.

Western also provides free services, mainly in health care, to the region through the newly opened Clinical Education Complex - a center for treatment of mental and physical disabilities in children - and through the school's rural mobile health units, which provide health and dental screenings around the area.

Both programs will be receiving additional funding to extend their reach, Ransdell said.

Western must think big to achieve its goals, Ransdell said, and become what is described in the university's slogan: “A leading American university with international reach.”

“Martin Luther King did not proclaim that ‘I have a plan,” Ransdell said. “He said, ‘I have a dream.' Our dreams our modest compared to his. They may not change the course of humankind, but they will change the course of a university.”

WKU's Moore chasing rushing record, coach

Killtoppers90 — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 19:19:23 GMT

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Western Kentucky University's all-time rushing leader isn't protective of his football record. In fact, Willie Taggart uses his mark of 3,997 yards as motivation for the man who likely will eclipse him this fall.

Lerron Moore needs only 493 yards to surpass the mark of Taggart, now the assistant head coach for the Hilltoppers. The senior tailback should be plenty motivated since Taggart has been whispering in his ear about the record since Moore was a freshman.

"From Day One I've been challenging him," Taggart said. "I always tell him every year, 'I think you'll break the record.' I've always challenged him to go get it. He's a great back. When I came in, I wasn't thinking about the record. I had a lot of guys tell me, 'You should do it. Break the record.' So I encourage him. The rushing record belongs to a running back. It's not supposed to be a quarterback."

Taggart, who starred at quarterback for Western from 1995-98, accumulated his yards while leading an option attack. Moore does it the old-fashioned way. In 33 games he has amassed 3,505 yards and scored 34 touchdowns. And with Taggart constantly motivating him, Moore will be well-aware of his progress this season.

"Coach Taggart is definitely an inspiration," said Moore, who currently ranks fifth on the school's all-time rushing list. "He wants me to get the record and just bury the record. He wants me to take it so that nobody else can have that record. It would mean that I was successful in my career here. It means I came to play every day and that I was very successful."

But can he remain healthy? Moore has battled nagging injuries the past two seasons, keeping him from matching his freshman-season marks of 1,490 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged a career-best 6.0 yards per carry last season, but a shoulder injury derailed what could have been a career year after he had compiled 759 yards and six TDs through six games.

The injury suffered against Western Illinois limited him over a three-game span and forced him to miss the 23-20 double-overtime loss to Northern Iowa. He returned in the Gateway Conference finale at Youngstown State and looked like his old self in the season-ending loss at Florida International, rushing for 181 yards and two scores. He finished the season with 1,037 yards and 10 TDs.

Moore battled hamstring problems as a sophomore but seems confident that his injury bug is behind him. He praised Brad Ohrt, the team's strength and conditioning coach.

"He's done a tremendous job of coming in and getting us ready conditioningwise," Moore said. "I really don't see any problems for this year. Knock on wood. Hopefully I'll have good luck on my side."

Defenses might even see more of Moore this season.

"We'd like to be able to use him more as a weapon in the passing game," offensive coordinator T.J. Weist said of Moore, who has nine career catches.

But it's rushing yards that Western fans will be following most, starting with the season opener at Georgia on Sept. 2.

"It matters," Moore said of the record. "I would be lying if I said it didn't. That's a huge accomplishment. But like I said, if I got 1 yard and we got a national championship, that would be a great season-ending, career-ending thing for me. Coach Taggart, he set the bar. For me to be able to pass him would be awesome."

Michael Grant can be reached at (502) 582-4069.
WESTERN'S ALL-TIME

RUSHING LEADERS

Player (years) Yds.
Willie Taggart (1995-98) 3,997
Antwan Floyd (1993-96) 3,775
Joe Arnold (1985-88) 3,570
****ie Moore (1965-68) 3,560
Lerron Moore (2003-) 3,505

WKU holds first practice of season

Killtoppers90 — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 21:45:44 GMT

By NORM HANEY, The Daily News, nhaney@bgdailynews.com/783-3271
Tuesday, August 8, 2006 12:09 PM CDT

By the time the Western Kentucky football team suits up for its season opener at Georgia on Sept. 2, there's not much anyone will remember about Monday's first practice.

Other than getting used to the heat, the first practice serves no real purpose. It does allow everyone on the team to convene for the first time. For some, it means learning new terminology, as well as starting to bond with new teammates and coaches.

Maybe most importantly, it's the official start to the season. From now on out, it's eat, sleep and drink football for at least the next 15-plus weeks - which the Tops hope will be more, because that would mean a trip to the playoffs.

“We were all excited to get back. We've been anxious to get back out here, but really, quite honestly, we'll be more excited to get the pads on,” WKU coach David Elson said. “It's a good process to get out here and get some mental reps and get the young guys some reps here early to see what they can do.”

One thing that may have made concentrating a little more difficult than normal was the sweltering heat, which was well into the 90s. One of the more noticeable traits of practicing in the heat is mistakes, which come along with fatigue. While players may not have been hauling in every pass or stepping to the right spots, Elson said he was pleased by the end of practice with the way his team performed.

“It was warm, that was my first thought,” Elson said. “We were sloppy early - had a lot of dropped passes. It was first day jitters and we weren't focused at times. I think maybe we were trying too hard at times, but it seemed like it got better as the day went along.”

The Hilltoppers will not go full contact until Saturday. They first have to meet the NCAA requirement of five single practices without full contact, which means they will go two more practices in helmets and shorts and then two in helmets and shoulder pads.

Before the hitting begins, however, it's primarily about getting everyone mentally prepared to be in the right places and react the right way once they get there. For senior linebacker Jon Hedges, he feels it's partially his responsibility to make sure the younger and veteran players alike are doing just that and doing it with the right attitude.

“It was kind of hot, but we pushed through it. We were real talkative, so overall I thought it was good,” Hedges said. “First day of practice we want to see all the seniors be leaders and be vocal and help the freshman and newcomers.”

But at the end of the day, everyone is just happy to finally get the season started. After losing their final four games of the season last year, most of the veteran players had already been putting in a full day's work throughout the summer in preparation for the upcoming season. So now that it's finally here, it's time to really get down to business.

“It's a great feeling,” junior wideout Curtis Hamilton said. “I've been working hard all summer just to get to this point, so now that it's here we just have to keep working hard.”

Toppers set to open camp

Killtoppers90 — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 18:13:11 GMT

Toppers set to open training camp

By NORM HANEY, The Daily News, nhaney@bgdailynews.com/783-3271

Saturday, August 5, 2006 10:48 PM CDT

As Western Kentucky players prepare to report for training camp this week, there will be a sense of urgency surrounding the team and a feeling of unfinished business after a disappointing 6-5 record last year, which saw the Hilltoppers drop their final four games and miss the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

As the players filter into Bowling Green, there are five questions that need to be addressed first and foremost if Western is to return to form.

1. How is Western going to replace five defensive starters from its front seven?

Although the WKU coaching staff seemed confident coming out of spring practice the holes on the defensive line and at outside linebacker were answered, those continue to be areas that needs fixing.

“I think we have a chance to get back to where we were defensively,” WKU coach David Elson said. “We've got guys that have game-time experience and have had some starts. There's more experience there than what it looks like, so I think we have a chance to be pretty good there.”

One player who was highly regarded heading into spring practice but was unable to play because of injury is Louisville transfer Blake Boyd. When WKU announced its signees in the spring, Boyd seemed to generate the most excitement, but after suffering a shoulder injury in a four-wheeling accident, he was unable to participate the entire spring.

Boyd and seniors Johnathan Carter and Sam Sexton are the front-runners to replace all-Gateway performers Deion Holts and Brandon Smith. In the 3-4 the outside linebackers are the superstars, asked to rush the passer, run down plays from sideline to sideline and cover running backs out of the backfield.

The down linemen performed well this spring in ends Dusty Bear and Evan Brewer as well as nose guard Chris Walker. All three should provide a good push up the middle.

The Hilltoppers have always used a lot of lineman in order to keep people fresh for four quarters. Both defensive end Josh Johnson and nose guard Ross ****ens challenged for starting spots in the spring and should find themselves somewhere in the rotation. Jon Belcher, a sophomore transfer from Ball State, came in late, but caught on quickly and showed some explosiveness.

2. Where will the Hilltoppers get production at wide receiver?

With Maurice Perkins lost to graduation and the unexpected loss of Chris Jackson, who left the team before spring practice, the Hilltoppers find themselves without their two leading receivers from last season.

Junior Curtis Hamilton returns as the only proven commodity at wideout, leaving many wondering where the production will come from in the passing game.

Redshirt freshman Jake Gaebler may have been the biggest surprise of the spring. Gaebler - who's only 5-foot-11, 185 pounds - may not be the biggest or faster receiver in I-AA, but his ability to run routes, sure hands and fearlessness across the middle may make him senior quarterback Justin Haddix's favorite target.

Sophomore Jamison Link was a late arrival at spring practice after being medically cleared from a neck injury. Multiple acrobatic catches this spring showed sophomore Jessie Quinn has big-play ability.

Haddix said that work this spring and throughout the summer has helped iron out some of the kinks and he feels he's developed solid chemistry with the group.

“If you see something you have to go tell them to do this or do that. I'm just trying to help them with my experience,” Haddix said. “I'm just trying to do what some of those older guys did for me and now I'm in a position where I can try and help them.”

3. Will Haddix take his game to the next level?

One of the first head-turning decisions of the Elson era came when he announced Haddix as the team's starter heading into his first collegiate game at home against Union College. That spring the Toppers felt unsure of who would be calling the signals. It looked like they would go to converted wide receiver Casey Rooney, but they quickly reversed once the team reported for camp the following summer.

“We have a ton of confidence in Justin,” Elson said. “We just need to let Justin be Justin and let him go be the competitor he is and let him play the game and let it all hang out there. When he does that I think he's one of the best in the country.”

Obviously starting a true freshman comes with its fair share of headaches, but there is also a clear advantage as well. Entering his fourth year having started every game of his Hilltopper career, Haddix should be ready to put his experience to use and take the offense to another level. Over the past three years Haddix's numbers have stayed fairly consistent, not really improving or falling. In fact, he attempted just seven more passes last year than he did as a freshman, throwing for just 17 more yards and two more touchdowns while tossing three more interceptions.

Haddix is anxious to get the season started and at the same time sad to see his time on the Hill winding down.

“I can't wait for the season to start. This is my last year and it's all went by fast. I'm getting ready to start my last camp and I want to go out on top,” Haddix said. “I just want to go out there and be a leader for the team and not let things bring us down and keep everybody up and hopefully go out on top this year.”

4. Who will be the impact freshman?

Coaches never go into a season wanting to depend heavily on freshmen, and Western Kentucky is no different. That does not mean, however, that none is capable of contributing right away.

While the coaching staff is confident with the receiving core in place, Boyle County's Seth Tamme comes in having shown good speed and dependable hands in high school, which earned him first-team all-state honors. He left Boyle County as the school's all-time leader in receptions (177), receiving yards (3,205) and touchdown catches (39).

Safety Orlando Misaalefua of Fort Campbell backed out of a verbal commitment with Louisville to play for the Toppers, which shows he's a well-respected talent who many believed could have played at the I-A level.

He was the MVP his senior season on a team that featured UK freshman and last year's Mr. Football Micah Johnson. Although Marion Rumph is the unquestioned starter at free safety, the WKU defense is looking for a playmaker at strong safety. Misaalefua could be just that.

Up front, both sides of the ball should get a boost from newcomers who should provide depth at areas that always need replenished. On the offensive side, Derrick Elder (6-2, 310) of St. Xavier is physically ready to play college ball right now.

As a three-year starter for the Tigers, he's also experienced and well-coached.

Defensively, Munir Muwwakki and Robert Dark come to the Hill from junior colleges and should help push the players who are already here and give them some added depth in the rotation.

Like all freshmen and newcomers, however, it's never clear how good or bad a player is until he's suited up and dodging live bullets. So, time will tell if any of these or someone not mentioned will provide a boost on Saturday.

5. Will the WKU special teams bounce back from a disappointing season and be a strength?

Last season the WKU special teams units had their share of ups and downs. Junior kicker Chris James enters the season listed as a preseason All-American candidate, and for good reason. James provided some of last season's most memorable moments, which included game-winning kicks against Eastern Kentucky and Illinois State. Those were the highs.

The lows came at critical times for the Hilltoppers. A blocked punt and failed fake punt at home against Southern Illinois played a big role in the Hilltoppers' 31-20 loss, which was the beginning of the team's four-game losing streak to end the season.

A 70-yard punt return with just over seven minutes to play by Northern Iowa's Johnny Gray helped tie up the game in the Tops' 23-20 double-overtime loss. Later in the same game a UNI offsides penalty with three seconds in regulation gave James a second opportunity after missing a 37-yard field goal, only to see the 32-yarder that followed get blocked.

Maybe the most embarrassing moment came in WKU's 38-28 win at Indiana State, when the Sycamores were able to pull off two fake punts and a fake field goal.

Punter Tanner Siewart was inconsistent last season, ending with an average of 37.4 yards per kick.

Senior return man Dennis Mitchell has shown flashes of greatness during his time at WKU. He hopes to take it up a notch this season and be both a vocal leader and an example on the field.

“I have really high expectations,” Mitchell said. “I'm trying to be more vocal and let people know when they've got to step it up. “I'm ready to make some plays this year. It's my last go around, so I have to.”

Ex Notre Dame QB coming to WKU

REG30 — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 10:18:44 GMT

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060731/SPORTS11/607310368/1043/SPORTS

Solidifies the QB spot for the next 3 years and will make for strong cometition at that position. Wolke will more then likely redshirt this year and be ready to go in 2007.