WKU Football: Gameday Information vs. UTSA
After the bizarre 2020 college football season, WKU found a way to scratch and claw to a bowl game appearance and a 5–7 overall final…
After the bizarre 2020 college football season, WKU found a way to scratch and claw to a bowl game appearance and a 5–7 overall final record. With a team that many thought could compete for a conference championship, the Tops finished in the middle of the pack.
However, with a momentous offseason with tons of huge “gets” and “coups”, the most significant of which were Houston Baptist transfer quarterback Bailey Zappe signing with the Tops and superstar defensive end DeAngelo Malone deciding to forego a realistic shot at the NFL and stay on campus for a fifth year, the Tops seem poised to be a legitimate threat to make a title run.
WKU is 1–3 after three straight losses against quality opponents. The loss at Michigan State was the first game WKU was truly outmatched and never had a real chance. But on a positive note, the Tops showed some grit and outscored the Spartans 15–6 in the second half, falling 48–31 to a team now flirting with a top ten ranking nationally.
To be incredibly cliche and boring, every team is starting from scratch as we start conference play. UTSA already has a win in conference, beating MTSU 27–13 three weeks ago in the Alamodome. UTSA was picked to finish second in the West, but with UAB seeming fairly average so far this season, the Roadrunners have taken an early lead as league favorite. WKU is a mystery at this point, but WKU seems to be reaching preseason expectations, seeming to be in a big cluster in the East where anyone could take it home.
So let’s set the stage for UTSA vs. WKU.
Location
Houchens Industries-LT Smith Stadium at Feix Field
Capacity: 22,113
Set near the bottom of a steep hill, LT Smith Stadium has housed the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers since 1968.
Time
Saturday, October 9, 2021 6 PM CST
Weather Forecast
Honestly, could a weather forecast in early to mid-October be any more perfect? Almost no chance of rain, little wind, and room temperature throughout the game. Fans shouldn’t even need a jacket, but it could get a little drafty right at the end if the game goes long.
TV
Stadium
Chris Vosters (Play-by-play), Sed Bonner (Color)
Radio
Randy Lee (Play by Play), Tyler Eaton (Analyst), Terry Obee (Analyst), & Lexi Schweinert (Sideline)
Also, you can listen to the radio call anywhere in the world on the WKU Gameday App!
Gameday Information
WKU:
UTSA
UTSA WKU Game Preview Article (REALLY GOOD!)
Around C-USA
Betting Lines from Sportsline.com
WKU -3.5
O/U 70
ESPN.com Match-up Predictor
WKU- 51.8% chance to win
Current Records
WKU: 1–3 (0–0 C-USA)
UTSA: 5–0 (1–0 C-USA)
Last Time Out…
WKU took on a Big Ten foe for the second week in a row, this time on the road. This was a little bit different story, with MSU putting up 42 in the first half and basically hanging on with relative ease the rest of the game. WKU frankly did well for a Group of Five school against a ranked opponent, ultimately only losing by a final score of 48–31. WKU is yet to score under 31 all season despite facing three opponents who either are receiving or have received votes in the polls this season.
UTSA found a way against a bad UNLV team last week 24–17. The game was within two scores the entire game, but again, UTSA found a way to win its fifth straight to open the year 5–0 for only the second time in school history. UTSA’s 5–0 start is not without challenges, either. UTSA has beaten a solid Memphis on the road after being down 21–0 and also beat Big Ten foe Illinois fairly soundly despite a close score at the end of the game. So UTSA has a very nice resume and is also getting national attention, ranked in both polls in the top 35 in the nation coming in to this clash in Bowling Green.
Coaches
Tyson Helton- 3rd Season- 15–14 (15–14 Overall)
Jeff Traylor- 2nd Season- 12–5 (12–5 Overall)
Series
1–0 WKU (1–0 in Bowling Green)
Last Meeting
In a rare defensive gem in the 2014 season, WKU utterly dominated the Roadrunners 45–7 in Bowling Green on November 22, 2014. WKU went on to win the Popeye’s Bahamas Bowl while UTSA finished the season with a 4–8 record.
Relevant Reading
Conference USA Preseason Media Prediction
Injury Report
WKU
Out for Season: RB Jakairi Moses
Questionable to Doubtful: TE Joshua Simon (foot) is still listed as questionable despite reports that he may not return this season. He has now missed every game since coming up gimpy near the end of the UT-Martin game. Does Joshua Simon even know Joshua Simon’s prognosis?
Worth Mentioning: QB Bailey Zappe had a clear limp for a good part of the second half against MSU. He will likely play, but will he be 100 percent?
UTSA
Questionable: RB Brenden Brady (Undisclosed), WR Zakhari Franklin (Undisclosed)-Did not play vs. UNLV but averaged 99 yards per game in first four games.
Out indefinitely: C Kevin Davis (Undisclosed ailment)-Starting Center; did not play vs. UNLV; 36 career games played
Excitement Level — 6.5
I think the hopes of being ranked or going to a New Years Six Bowl type of excitement are over, but this is definitely an exciting matchup for those who are paying attention. I think the diehards will be all-in and excited about the first conference game. I’m sure internally, this is massive for conference positioning. They know how important this game is, and they should come out ready to go make a statement to the rest of the league. If the Tops want to compete in the East, they cannot start a game in the hole. This is a near must-win for WKU. If WKU wants to take back control of C-USA, position itself for a better conference option, and just get the program off of a three game losing streak, the Tops need to win Saturday.
Although it’s a big game and the first conference game, I think the casual fan is going to wonder who UTSA is, frankly. How many people from south central Kentucky really have that many emotional connections to a Texas program that’s only had football for a decade?
But WKU fans (and UTSA fans) should be excited! WKU has shown itself more than capable of much better football (and certainly more exciting) than the 2020 version of the Tops. It was more interesting to watch the face paint melt off of the student section than watch the Topper offense last season. Well, consider that issue cured. Bailey Zappe, Jerreth Sterns, Mitchell Tinsley and the rest of the WKU offense score nearly 40 points per game, more than doubling last year’s average so far. With C-USA competition moving forward, WKU’s offense should climb well into the 40s in points per game.
Heck, let’s not forget UTSA. This team is really good, nearly won C-USA last year, and returns nearly everyone. They’re also undefeated and getting votes in both polls, ranked no worse than 34th in this week’s edition. And that’s not a patty cake schedule they faced, either. They’ve had three games against opponents from better conferences, still winning fairly easily in most games. They have no obvious weaknesses if their starters are healthy (see Injury Report above).
This game is really interesting from a football lover’s perspective, with a really solid team that has probably gotten lucky to sit undefeated facing off against a team that has shot itself in the foot in three games, but looks like it could beat anyone on any given Saturday. But other than that, it’s a conference opponent very few feel any kind of emotion for. It is the opener, but if this was not an opener against a team that is undefeated, I’m not sure the excitement level would be over a 4.
WKU fans are weird, but the Houch should be fired up and ready to go come Saturday at 6:00.
Go Tops! We’ll be providing live coverage and reaction. If you made it to The Houch, please send us your best pictures from campus, tailgating, and in-game via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page and we’ll share.