WKU Football: Existence Is Pain As Hilltoppers Fall To Owls, 42–28
For the middle portion of the game, WKU looked like their old selves — a dominant offense, a do-just-enough defense and a team that took…
For the middle portion of the game, WKU looked like their old selves — a dominant offense, a do-just-enough defense and a team that took advantages of opportunities when they presented themselves.
The Tops went on a 21–3 stretch in the second quarter with scoring drives of 81, 85 and 73 yards, and they held a 21–20 lead at halftime and extended it to 28–20 in the third quarter.
Then, the same script we’ve seen twice before at home broke out: The Tops couldn’t put the opponent away, and they made them pay.
FAU logged scoring plays of 60-yards, on a game-tying touchdown rush from Devin Singletary and a go-ahead touchdown on a Jason Driskel 49-yard touchdown pass to Willie Wright, both in the fourth quarter, to take a 35–28 lead, and Singletary’s fourth touchdown of the night all but sealed the deal when he made it 42–28 in favor of the Owls.
(That dagger touchdown from Singletary was set up by a fake punt when the Tops were still within one-score striking distance of tying the game.)
Everything sucks right now, and that’s okay. But, there are plenty of positives to be found:
Mike White completed 32 of his 56 pass attempts for 371 yards and two touchdowns but also tossed a pair of interceptions.
Deon Yelder was, once again, a key factor in the passing game and proved to be the most valuable asset on the field, especially in a few key third down situations. Yelder finished with eight catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.
The breakout star of the day, offensively, was Jacquez Sloan, who caught four balls for 61 yards and might have just made himself my new favorite player.
The running game wasn’t a complete disaster for once, and the backfield was often used in the passing game. Jakari Moses had 11 carries for 42 yards and added 29 yards on three catches. D’Andre Ferby had 35 yards on eight touches and added 18 yards on three catches.
The run game having success is due to the improved offensive line, who actually allowed White to have time to make throws. FAU didn’t record a sack until the fourth quarter (which might have been the turning point of the game, as White threw the pick that set the Owls up for the game-tying score).
The defense, while gassed at the end, played near flawlessly in the first three quarters, keeping Singletary in check until his long touchdown run and made the evening a living nightmare for Driskel until he unloaded for his 49-yard touchdown throw (which was more FAU taking advantage of the Tops’ defensive set up than anything Driskel, specifically, did).
It’s hard to see the forrest through the trees right now, especially since the Tops are most likely eliminated from CUSA Championship Game contention, but this game, more than any other game, will be looked at as a key building block in the future of Mike Sanford’s stint as head coach.
The offense finally looked competent (until, that is, when it mattered most) and it seems Sanford understands when he can use the run game and when he must utilize the weapons in the passing game.
On the defensive side of the ball, there’s still a lot of stuff to love.
It’s all a matter of finishing, which if you’ll recall Petrino and Brohm struggled with, so it isn’t all lost.
Yes, it sucks, but its a simultaneous step forward (in the long run) and back (for 2017 title aspirations).
TL;DR — Tops played better than I expected and maybe should have won, but we learned a lot about them as a team and Sanford as a coach.
Here are your quick-hit stats.
