WKU Football: Gameday Info for Game 9 Against Vanderbilt
WKU heads down I-65 to Nashville looking to rebound from a tough defeat to FAU. This game is not only a chance to upset a SEC team but is…
WKU heads down I-65 to Nashville looking to rebound from a tough defeat to FAU. This game is not only a chance to upset a SEC team but is also the rubber match of a highly competitive three game series between the Hilltoppers and Commodores.
If you need to know any of the game information, look no further — we have you covered.
Location
Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, TN.
Time
11 a.m. CT
Weather Forecast
TV
TV — ESPNU
Stream — WatchESPN
Radio
Hilltopper IMG Sports Network
Gameday Information
Vanderbilt Gameday Information
WKU Alumni Association Topper Tailgate
Betting Lines from Sportsline.com
Vanderbilt: -10 1/2
Over/ Under: 54
Moneyline : Vanderbilt -420
Current Records
WKU 5–3
Vanderbilt 3–5
Last Week
WKU hosted the C-USA East division leader FAU. Despite multiple mistakes the Tops led 28–20 with 13 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Unfortunately, a Mike White interception completely changed the momentum and the Owls scored 22 unanswered points to head back to Boca Raton handing WKU a 42–28 Loss.
Vanderbilt traveled to South Carolina and fell behind 24–13 at the half. The Commodores would cut that lead to just four points in the third quarter but the Gamecocks reeled off 10 consecutive points that proved to be enough as the Commodores left Columbia with a 34–27 Loss, their fifth in a row after a 3–0 start.
Coaches
Mike Sanford — 1st season, 5–3 overall
Derek Mason -4th season, 16–29 overall
Series
Vanderbilt leads 4–1
Last Meeting
Last season, in front of the largest crowd in Houchens Industries L.T. Smith Stadium history (23,674 fans), WKU allowed Vanderbilt to drive down the field twice for two 75-yard touchdown drives to tie the game at 24–24 at the end of regulation and force overtime. Vanderbilt scored on the first drive of overtime and WKU quickly answered on a 8-yard touchdown pass from Mike White to Shaquille Johnson. Unfortunately, WKU went for two and Mike White’s pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage as the Commodores beat WKU 31–30 in overtime.
Relevant Reading
Injury Report from Don Best
For WKU:
DB — De’Andre Simmons — Out (Knee)
DB — Nathan Roush — Out (Knee)
DT- Jalen Manning — Out (Knee)
DT- Evan Sayner — Out (Leg)
DL- Carson Jordan- Out (Undisclosed)
LB- Daeshawn Bertram- Questionable (Undisclosed)
For Vanderbilt:
RB-Khari Blasingame- Questionable (Undisclosed)
FB- Bailey McElwain- Out (Foot)
Excitement Level — 8
Any time the Hilltoppers play a power five opponent it’s a big opportunity. This series has been about as even as possible with both games being decided by a total of three points. Last week’s loss to FAU can instantly be forgotten if the Tops can erase last year’s bitter defeat to the Commodores. The Commodores proximity and WKU’s traveling fan contingent make up for both teams struggles. A win by the Tops and WKU can move the direction of the season back towards potentially successful.
Go Tops! This should be a perfect day for football. We’ll be in Nashville live tweeting the road experience. If you’re up there send us your tailgating pictures via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page and we’ll share.