WKU Football: Grading the 20–13 Win Against UAB
First of all, let me take this moment to step away from trying to be an unbiased journalist on a pro-WKU blog and talk about how amazing…
First of all, let me take this moment to step away from trying to be an unbiased journalist on a pro-WKU blog and talk about how amazing that performance was. THAT is big-time football and the Tops won in a slugfest. Now that sets up the conversation to really start asking, “Is this WKU team for real?” and, “Can they really compete for a conference championship right now?”
Before I get back to being fair and balanced, heck yeah the Tops can! That was amazing, and WKU is now 2–0 in the conference with two wins against what were supposed to be contenders for the Conference USA crown.
As far as game grades go, this was a sterling performance by the Tops. The offense was hideous, but so was UAB’s. Why? Because there were two really good defenses going toe-to-toe, and ultimately, the team that made plays at the end won the game.
Through four games, WKU is better than anyone anticipated, and the two games they’ve won are against what we presume should be quality opponents at year’s end.
Let’s check out how the Tops did, starting with my Keys to Victory…
Keys to Victory
Win the Trenches: B
First of all, WKU absolutely won the trenches in the fourth quarter. There’s no question. However, every other quarter was fairly controlled by UAB. Now, was WKU competitive? Yes. If I were grading each quarter with a “C” being completely even, every other quarter would be a “C-” or a “D+” and the fourth would be an “A”.
UAB was averaging nearly five sacks per game. WKU was averaging nearly three. WKU got its three, but UAB was held to just two sacks and two quarterback hits. If we’re talking about bucking trends, that is a huge difference from UAB’s normal production. UAB did pretty much win the battle on the ground, and they did produce the most yards. But ultimately, WKU was competitive and made it count when they had their chances.
Contain UAB’s Top Three Receivers: A+
This was one of the areas (besides the trenches) that I really felt meant the Tops would struggle. However, WKU forced four turnovers and an even more indicative stat, five pass break-ups (WKU had four total in its first three games). Here’s the other thing that blows my mind: WKU’s secondary has frankly sucked in the first three games. They didn’t this game. The unit bucked up and frankly dominated what should’ve been a mismatch. Their top three receivers (before this game) averaged 205 yards per game combined and each had at least one 40 yard play. No UAB receiver gained more than 21 yards at once and the three-star receivers gained 122 total yards. Clinical work on the back end from the Tops. There’s no other way to put it.
Contain the Dual Threat Quarterback: B+
Very clearly, Johnston was stifled through the air. Zero touchdowns and four interceptions and less than 200 yards tell that story. A+ in the passing game. However, he was able to run for 55 yards gained (not good) and helped UAB hold the ball for nearly 33 minutes. Altogether, WKU made it happen when they needed to, and without question, he was not the same quarterback he’s been to start the season.
Dominate the Run Defensively; Produce Something Offensively: D
That didn’t happen. UAB was fairly effective on the ground, gaining well over 100 yards. They also controlled the clock, mainly because they would dink and dunk their way down the field, mixing the run and the pass. When Johnston wasn’t throwing interceptions, UAB was effective offensively. However, they weren’t dominant. WKU didn’t do either of the requirements to get a passing grade. However, WKU could remotely find a few yards when they desperately needed it late in the game, and UAB was contained for no longer than a gain of 19 yards. They didn’t run wild on the Tops.
Win Third Down: B+
Again, both teams were similar on third down. WKU was slightly better, but more importantly, what was the tendency from each team heading into the game? Both were decent converting, and both were very good getting off the field. First, UAB did a pretty good job converting on third down offensively. However, UAB’s defense was holding opponents to 21 percent on third down. What happened this game? Nearly 50 percent (6-of-13). That is a huge tendency overcome by the Tops, and frankly it allowed the Tops to keep the ball just enough to win the game. With only 222 yards of offense, converting nearly half of the opportunities could be argued as the singular difference in the game.
Position Grades
Quarterback: C+
I thought about a B-, but 222 yards of offense should never be applauded. Ty Storey came in and did his job, though. First of all, UAB’s defense is awesome. Still, WKU’s offense has proven to be susceptible to anemia throughout the first third of the season. With the exception of the first play, Storey took care of the football, something Steven Duncan has not done throughout his career and especially thus far in 2019. WKU’s offense was looking disastrous heading into the fourth quarter, but over 100 yards in production in the fourth quarter really helped Storey’s grade and obviously the outcome of the game, as well. Ultimately, in a slugfest game, he produced over 200 yards of total offense, leading his team to a game winning drive in the fourth quarter.
Running Back: F
I’m not sure how this could be anything but an F. Gaej Walker has been the only productive running back for WKU, and he wasn’t productive this game. Throw in the first play and let’s just say thankfully Storey was able to run the ball himself a little bit throughout the game. Make that 25 total yards from the running back position, all from one guy. Yikes.
Tight End: C
Josh Simon was pretty good, getting his third touchdown of the season. He had two other catches, as well. That kid is an absolute beast. GIVE HIM THE BALL! Kyle Fourtenbary cost Gaej Walker his lone touchdown on a facemask penalty, so the Tops had to settle for a field goal from Cory Munson. Any game with a touchdown from the tight ends is generally good, but directly costing the team is a problem, too. With no production from Fourtenbary at all, I can’t credit the tight ends for much this game.
Offensive Line: B
The main reason this is decent is the fourth quarter, along with only allowing two sacks against an amazing defensive front. However, they were getting pushed back early in the game. Ultimately, their job is to create an opportunity for the offense to function. They were not the problem, and any deficiencies were not because they weren’t doing their job. This unit has been excellent all year and it’s just another testament to the quality of this group. They’re on pace to give up 12 sacks. Fun Fact of the Day: WKU is tied for 14th in the country in sacks allowed so far.
Defensive Line: A+
There’s no way in the world I’m giving them less than perfect for this game. They were absolutely everywhere. DeAngelo Malone may end up leading this team in tackles from the defensive end position. The freak of nature also added three more TFL and two sacks to his already ridiculous numbers. The sheer production from that man is staggering, but the explosiveness is just otherworldly. I’ve never seen anyone in a WKU uniform do what he’s doing. There’s no standard for his level of play right now.
Juwuan Jones (three tackles) was pretty average this game in terms of production, but Jeremy Darvin had an incredible game, picking the ball off on a heady play most defensive linemen never dream of and racking up a sack and four other tackles to boot. In addition to their statistics, in general, UAB’s Johnston had someone in his face all night, directly contributing directly to his four interceptions.
Linebackers: A
Kyle Bailey is proving to be a real star to superstar level player. Any linebacker that can get multiple interceptions in the same season, let alone a game, is a luxury. However, who is his partner in crime in the middle of that defense? Clay Davis showed up a little bit this game, but like we talked about in our recap, the linebacker position has two Power Five grad transfers. Where is the production? There are still concerns at linebacker, but if Kyle Bailey plays like this, he doesn’t need anyone else to produce next to him.
Defensive Backs: A+
I can’t figure this group out, honestly. We know Devon Key is excellent. We know Ta’Corian Darden knows what he’s doing, although he’s looked inept at times early this year. But this performance was completely out of character for this group as a whole. I’m certain Clayton White will take it, but I would say he’s probably as surprised as everyone else how well they did. They did not allow more than a 21-yard pass play, which is great against anyone. They also contributed against the run and made explosive plays all night. There wasn’t really anything to complain about for the DB’s. Sure, they could be better, but give them an A+ for being locked into beast mode all night.
Kickers: A+
WKU may have the best kicker/punter combo in the conference. Cory Munson nailed two field goals, always does exactly what he’s asked on kickoffs, and John Haggerty is an alien from another planet. This combination rivals the Hendrix Brakefield/Garrett Schwettman combination when their two careers crossed paths in 2012 and 2013.
Coaching and Game Management
3rd Down Offense: A+
With UAB giving up 21 percent on third down, anything close to a 1/3 conversion rate would have been great for WKU. On a night Western couldn’t move the ball, the Hilltoppers converted nearly half of their third down opportunities.
3rd Down Defense: B
They gave up a little too much, but given the time of possession issue they faced, and the fact they found ways to get it done at the end of the game, give them some pretty good credit for bending but not breaking.
Offensive Playcalling: B+
I can’t really think of anything to complain of. In such a physical chess match, Tyson Helton’s offense found a way to rip through UAB’s defense in the fourth quarter, getting over half of the yards for the game in the last frame. He also kept Ty Storey in good shape all night, and Storey seemed to settle into his role later in the game.
Defense Playcalling: A+
Clayton White’s performance was brilliant this game. I mean this was an absolute masterpiece. First of all, when you look at UAB’s offense, there are several problems: A good, mobile quarterback, really good receivers, and an All-America caliber running back that should bust loose for a big game any time now. What happened during the game? WKU took away the quarterback running game, held the running back under four yards per carry, and picked the ball off four times. WKU also dropped defensive linemen into coverage, faked blitzes, and basically just confused the living crap out of UAB. All told, giving up under 300 yards and only 13 points is magnificent.
Offensive Coordinator Bryan Ellis: A+++
This has nothing to do with playcalling, which I thought he did fine with. However, I was in the upper deck, and on the long pass play to Jahcour Pearson when they first called the injured Steven Duncan for a holding penalty 45 yards down the field, Ellis screams out, “YOU JUST CALLED OUR INJURED QUARTERBACK FOR A HOLDING YOU STUPID REF!!!” Then they corrected it to be on Jacquez Sloan, to which he bellows, “YOU STILL GOT IT WRONG!!!”
Bryan Ellis, you are officially, the Man.
Overall Grade: A
First of all, take a little bit off because the offense was so paltry. However, WKU just beat the undefeated defending conference champion in an absolute bloody dog fight. UAB was looking like the C-USA favorite before WKU destroyed that hope. Now UAB will be in desperation mode the rest of the season.
Let’s get this straight for you:
No one predicted WKU would be 2–2 right now. No one at all predicted WKU would go on the road and beat FIU. No one really thought WKU would beat UAB. Yet here the Tops are, alone atop the East standings. This win now puts WKU as the theoretical favorite to win the East. Everyone else has to come and beat WKU, and the Hilltoppers have the least amount of work to do (record-wise) to get to a conference championship appearance.
However, it’s obvious WKU has flaws. WKU’s running game has pretty much come to a screeching halt. Gaej Walker has gone from 100-yard shoo-in to 50-yard hopeful. Granted, that’s not all his fault. Also, it’s not his fault he has very little help. The quarterbacks have only averaged 225 yards passing the last three games. Also, no WKU quarterback has gone through a game this season without either committing a turnover or being involved in one. WKU still needs help at linebacker (besides Kyle Bailey), and the defensive backs need to show up a little more consistently, or eventually, someone will key in on the middle of the defense and tear the Tops up from within.
WKU is 33 percent into its season, and already the 2018 win total is within WKU’s grasp. Perhaps Tyson Helton is going to turn WKU around quicker than anticipated.