Football Notebook: Toppers Beat Jacksonville State in BG, Gamecocks Look for Revenge in Jacksonville Friday Night for the CUSA Crown
FB: For those that doubted, it was just one game. And it's one game once again. Does JSU exact revenge? Or does WKU prove its superiority and lay claim to CUSA for the first time in eight years?
After two weeks of gut wrenching losses, both of which were possibly preventable, it felt like the wheels were coming off. What’s that phrase? “It’s never as bad as you think or as good as you think…it’s somewhere in the middle.” Well, that applied. After two straight losses sitting in fourth place, Western Kentucky looked like a very average, run-of-the-mill Conference USA team. And they needed help from Sam Houston State. WKU went from the penthouse to the outhouse to the green room, and now it’s time for the big show.
Thanks, Sam Houston…
A huge part of this was Sam Houston beating Liberty. If they didn’t, Liberty was going to head to JSU, and WKU’s game against JSU was going to be for pride and bowl positioning. Well, WHOOP DE DOOOOO!!! Well, Sam Houston had plenty to play for, but they needed WKU to lose to JSU after they beat Liberty. Welp. We appreciate it, but you served your purpose. Preciate that solid, fellas.
Tops Find a Way Against JSU
If you’re into this article, you probably have an idea of what happened. WKU and JSU battled back-and-forth, with no real separation all game. WKU moved the ball more, but JSU scored one more touchdown. Ultimately, WKU’s defense held JSU to three scores, and the Topper offense, although it sputtered, scored five times and was able to come up with enough offense when it needed to late in the game to pull off the slight upset over Jacksonville State.
WKU was able to hold JSU to 2-of-13 on third down, and the Tops were extremely affective in slowing superstar running back Tre Stewart under 95 yards rushing for only the fourth time all season and the first since game three.
Caden Veltkamp passed for over 300 yards for only the second time all season and Elijah Young found ways to contribute 169 yards from scrimmage combined.
The hero of the night, though, was unquestionably Lucas Carneiro. Maker of four field goals, only one was a chip shot. The other three came with drama, one at the buzzer, and another five yards longer because of a false start. Lucas nailed it, anyway and set up the Tops to be tied at halftime, a huge swing away from JSU’s building momentum heading into the break.
Tops Get JSU Again
As fate would have it, Sam Houston beat Liberty, WKU beat Jacksonville State, and funnily enough, WKU heads to JSU to try to repeat last week’s result.
WKU will need to improve its execution in crucial moments. With ten penalties, four field goals, and a turnover, WKU left plenty out there sitting on the bone. JSU will feel the same way. JSU is used to rushing and passing for more than they did in the previous game. They will expect to bounce back, so the Tops have an extraordinary task ahead of them considering the fact that JSU had much to improve on from the first game.
Both Teams Beat Up
This time, both teams will be significantly bruised up. WKU’s left tackle Travon Taylor left the game and did not return, leaving Stacy Williams, a capable, talented backup with Power Five pedigree. Still not the starting left tackle, if Taylor can’t go (doubtful given short turnaround), along with starting tight end River Helms out (shoulder), WKU’s bookends could be left vulnerable. JSU may attack the blindside edge of the WKU offensive line.
For the Gamecocks, star dual threat QB Tyler Huff is also unlikely to play. Although listed as questionable, we believe Huff will not play and capable backup Logan Smothers will start. Smothers played against WKU, moved the ball, and was good enough to beat WKU on any given Saturday (well, Friday, I guess).
How to Beat JSU Twice in Six Days
I think it all comes down to the offense. And yes, of course, if the defense shuts down JSU for 17 points, surely WKU wins once again. But in my opinion, JSU is going to score in the 20s at least. It’s hard to see a great offense completely struggle twice in a row. WKU, in my opinion, is going to have to step up offensively to win.
Sure, WKU moved the ball and controlled the clock, something they rarely do under Tyson Helton. However, what they didn’t do was put themselves in the best position to succeed late in the game by making too many mistakes.
Caden Veltkamp missed several wide open teammates while scrambling in the pocket. Can he hit them in a responsible way Friday? Can he withstand the temptation to be a hero, but also keep his eyes aware of the possibility of a big play on a scramble drill? We would love to see the perfect balance
Can They Do It?
Absolutely, they can do it. JSU was trying Saturday. It’s one thing if the Cocks went easy and rested players. They didn’t. They played their best, they risked injury, and they ended up losing in a straight up battle with no crazy withholdings from JSU.
We ran our predictions this morning. We all believe in the Tops. We’ve pretty much believed in them all year, and frankly anyone who’s watched WKU this year knows this is a special group that could have accomplished even more this season. WKU almost certainly would not have been in the running for the College Football Playoff, but although this team was not thought to be to that level of greatness heading into the season, they were darn well good enough to have won 11 regular season games without question. They hit a funk at the exact wrong time (late October), but in our opinion, we believe they’re over it, and it’s time to go win a championship, Tops.
Let’s get it.
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GO TOPS!!!!