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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.
The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done.
- George Carlin
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| How much did WKU get for the game?
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