WKU Football: Grading the Tops’ 48–31 Loss at Michigan State

Western Kentucky falls decisively to the Michigan State Spartans. For the first time this season, WKU really didn’t have much of a chance…

Western Kentucky falls decisively to the Michigan State Spartans. For the first time this season, WKU really didn’t have much of a chance, and perhaps the Tops were exposed more than ever in terms of things they need to work on.

However, WKU’s offense continues to be incredible, once again scoring 30 or more for the fourth time in four games this season. Despite playing three really good defenses, WKU’s offense has found ways to put up points, and that bodes well for Conference USA play. If solid Power Five defenses can’t stop WKU, who in C-USA can hold WKU down?

But perhaps the biggest obstacle to an easy sweep through Conference USA for WKU would be the Western Kentucky defense. Unfortunately, Western’s defense, a unit that was supposed to be pretty good, is actually proving to be the only reason in the world WKU isn’t 4–0 (or at least 3–1 right now). On a positive note, the defense did not allow a touchdown, only allowing six points in the second half after giving up 42 in the first. Is that a sign of life? Or is that MSU taking a nap?

Anyway, let’s see how the Tops graded out Saturday night.

Grading the Keys to Victory

Screw Yards! We Need Points! : D+

I mean, give the Tops the “+” because they scored later in the game to make this look like anything but a 30 point blowout. But this was exactly what I was afraid of! MSU has done this all year. They often get outgained but are yet to be outscored (Hence they’re 5–0). WKU produced 556 yards to MSU’s 519 and lost by three scores. If WKU didn’t kick three field goals in the first half, the Tops would have in theory been down 42–28 and in the ball game. Instead, they went in down 42–16.

This is exactly what MSU does over and over. They may give up all kinds of yards, but they just don’t allow teams to put it in the end zone very often. That’s the sign of a really well coached team.

Be Nearly As Efficient as Michigan State: C-

The definition of inefficient football is having the same opportunities as the other team and having significantly less success. In what way was WKU efficient in this ball game except in the passing game? Obviously Bailey Zappe proved once again he belongs on the big stage. But other than that, WKU lost the hidden yardage battle, lost huge efficiency points by allowing a punt return for a touchdown on an 88 yard return, had more turnovers, had more penalties and yardage, and was not efficient on third or fourth down.

The only positives were making all of the field goal attempts and not leaving those points out there, and John Haggerty III was excellent, booming his two punts for 54.5 yards apiece. But overall, WKU still lacks discipline in big moments. Whether it is a dumb penalty, or simply making a nice tackle instead of whiffing altogether, or making a critical mistake, WKU still is shooting itself in the foot. This is the third game in which WKU could argue it was the better team in some way. Of course, MSU deserved to win that game, but if WKU constructed its game a little different, 560 yards should have won the game for them.

Offensive Line Needs to Hold Its Own: B+

Honestly, this performance was not perfect by the offensive line, but this defensive front for the Spartans is something else. They get after it and create all kinds of problems. Although Zappe had to move his feet a little more, fumbled, got sacked three times, and hit three more, this was a solid performance from the offensive line. 560 total yards, the running backs had room when they ran, and only five total tackles-for-loss. Besides the sacks and the fumble, that is not bad against anyone, but when you compare it to their normal disruption, this was a heck of a job.

Neutralize the Freakish Punter: C

Against, this didn’t go down exactly how I thought, but one great way to neutralize your punter is to allow him to bomb a kick and then you let the other team return it for 88 yards for a score. John Haggerty was the better punter, averaging over ten more yards per punt. But all of that success was lost a minute and a half into the game when WKU allowed Jayden Reed to return it for a touchdown. In addition, MSU’s kick return was excellent with Reed again producing over 30 yards per kick return.

Defense: Replicate the Indiana Game: C+

If the Tops didn’t hold the Spartans to six points in the second half, again, this score would reflect more of a disastrous performance. But WKU did force MSU to punt three times. They did stop them on fourth down once. They did force a field goal twice, albeit once the game was virtually out of reach. But in other ways, this was not as good of a performance as the Indiana game. WKU did keep MSU’s running game relatively at bay compared to what often happens. Kenneth Walker was still incredible, though, and two backups gained decent yardage, keeping him fresh and available when MSU needed him.

Sure, on the one hand, WKU did a decent job keeping MSU from making massive chunk plays later in the game. There were three explosive plays by MSU of over 40 yards, one of which was on special teams. Still, WKU was not quite able to replicate the performance from a week before. If WKU had played that well defensively, perhaps this game is different. WKU never really got significant pressure on Thorne, and he was allowed to sit back and watch and make easy decisions all day.

WKU Needs More Big Plays than MSU: D-

Mitchell Tinsley’s 60 yarder keeps this from being a flat “F”. WKU also had a few decent sized gains in the 20s in yardage in the passing game. That is all well and good, but there wasn’t much else in the big play department for WKU. MSU, however, had a punt return for a touchdown, a couple of plays over 40 yards, and in general, WKU did not make the big play when it needed it. Heck, throw in Zappe’s fumble and it was a thrashing in this area.

Position Grades:

Quarterback: B+

Once again, Zappe was incredible, throwing for nearly 500 yards. What more can be said? However, he gets a decent amount of blame for fumbling, especially when it directly resulted in easy points. In addition, I take issue with his inability to get this team to come out firing on all cylinders in any game so far this year. WKU digs huge holes for itself. Now in this case, MSU had an 88 yard punt return that gave them a leg up. But how did they get that punt return? WKU ran three plays for two yards. After the punt return, WKU finished its second drive nearly in double digits with nine yards. There is now enough data to definitively say this: WKU must get better at starting games.

Isolating WKU’s first two drives of each game, the total stat line reads 45 plays, 195 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. That’s 4.3 yards per play and Zappe’s only two interceptions have come in the first quarter. The Tops must get better, or they will continue to feel the sting of poor starts. WKU is 1–3, but in every game, WKU could take a time after kickoff and say if they had just not started slow, they could have done this or that. In every game, WKU outscored its opponents after a poor start. UT-Martin was 59–14 after UTM scored the first touchdown. Army was outscored by WKU 35–24 after being up 14–0. Indiana was spotted 14 points before WKU outscored them 31–19. Heck, even now top 12 Michigan State was spotted a 21–3 lead and guess what? WKU outscored them 28–27. That’s on Zappe.

Running Back: B

Honestly, the running backs had a lot coming at them, including the fact that they’re just not really used much in the Air Raid offense for the ground game. But Cofield and Whittington were also decent pressure relief valves for Bailey Zappe, contributing seven catches for 39 yards in the air in addition to the unit’s 89 rushing yards. I can’t really comment on any kind of pass protection, because I didn’t get to see the first half of the game, so I’ll just assume it was decent. I don’t know if any of the sacks were partially the fault of the running back or this might swing a little higher or lower. However, this is a decent outing, multiple guys contributed, and there was no tangible disaster from this position. Frankly, I wish they would use them more, because they’re good for 4–6 yards per carry every night. Why not throw them in just a little bit more? It would take the immense pressure off of Zappe and buy some more time for the defense to rest or just simply not have to be on the field for more game time.

Wide Receiver: A+

I mean seriously Jerreth Sterns was already leading the country in receptions, and then the little hoss cat finds a way to catch 17 more. Not only did he catch an impossible number, he produced nearly 200 yards. Then Mitchell Tinsley pitched in well over 100 himself, along with significant production from others. When you look to upset a better team, you look for freakish performances. Two players with well over 100 yards receiving is a job well done. The receivers gave WKU a chance.

Tight End: B+

This was great to see some production from the tight end position. Since Joshua Simon went down, WKU’s tight end room has shown nothing at all. Joey Beljan was great in the red zone for the Tops, producing two touchdowns on two catches. Even if it was circumstantial, any touchdown from the tight end group is nice. Two is incredible. But in the big picture, the tight end position needs to be more consistently productive. Four to ten catches would be nice to see. And there should be more production than just one tight end catching a couple per game. But thank God for some kind of production at all.

Offensive Line: B+

Honestly, this offensive line is proving to be one of the best units on the team. I know they gave up three sacks, but a Big Ten defensive line that averages four sacks that only gets three against a Group of Five offensive line is a job well done. Also, the fact that the Tops were able to run when they chose to and produced over 500 yards of offense is just even more of indication of the job this unit is doing and actually did against MSU. They get a little ding just because of tying the most sacks all year, but heck of a job overall. After four games, WKU’s O-line has given up a total of seven sacks. There may be several games in Conference USA play where Bailey Zappe is virtually untouchable.

Defensive Line: C

I understand this was a good Power Five offensive line that is paving the way for Kenneth Walker III to lead the nation in rushing. Fine. But this line has been disappointing this year. DeAngelo Malone (nine tackles, two TFL, QBH) continues to produce ten tackles a game or so, but who else is really doing anything? Jeremy Darvin is doing a pretty good job. Darius Shipp is proving to be a nice piece with two hits on the QB and is a fairly consistent producer. But this game, Juwuan Jones faded back into average. No sacks across the board. Only three total hits on the quarterback. These are not very impressive numbers. WKU must get more pressure in conference play, or they will lose a couple of games simply because they’ll allow a decent QB to sit back and be comfortable and read the defense while sipping tea. At some point, the offense won’t produce 39 points a game and the defense is going to have to step up and turn on beast mode.

Linebackers: C-

I’m sorry, but these linebackers have to produce more, either as a group, or someone has to step up and be a ten tackles per game type of guy. Jaden Hunter (six tackles, one TFL) has stepped up of late after not playing much to begin the year. Will Ignont has shown flashes of SEC talent, but he is not a volume producer and is really a hybrid defensive end type of bulky linebacker. Demetrius Cain is usually a little more productive, but this game, he only showed up with three tackles.

Not having productive linebackers is crippling to a defense. The LB’s should be involved on every play. Without decent linebackers, WKU is either forced to go with a dime look just to get some productive DBs on the field, they are forced to go with more of a “Bear” front (5–2), suck it up and play more linebackers and hope for production just by sheer odds, or play nickel have linebackers that don’t do much. WKU needs to find a consistent linebacker or three that can make some plays.

Defensive Backs: C+

MSU’s top three receivers basically gained chunk plays when they wanted Saturday. But overall, only allowing 327 passing yards against a talented receiver group while holding Kenny Walker to no more than a 15 yard gain all day is pretty decent. Also, a probably fairly unheralded fun fact about the Topper secondary: They have only given up three passing touchdowns in four games and only one against MSU. Let’s give them credit for a few things here: Making tackles. This is consistently far and away the most consistent tackle producing group for the Tops. And this past week, starter A.J. Brathwaite didn’t even play. So give them credit for shoring up the back end, keeping big plays from being touchdowns, and forcing opposing offenses to grind their ways down the field.

Special Teams Overall: C+

Special Teams Coverage and Returns: F

There’s really no excuse for an 88 yard punt return for a touchdown. John Haggerty absolutely bombed a 61 yard punt, only to have it returned to the house. Now, he even came out saying part of it was his fault, but honestly, there’s no way a punt should be returned all the way to the house. Also, I know he kicked a rugby kick that ended up on the hash, but that is not an irreparable mistake. A missed tackle or two that results in 20–30 yards is one thing, but returning it 88 yards with the guy crossing from one side of the field? Give Jayden Reed credit, but you have to contain him, too. He also averaged over 30 on his kick returns, so all in all, just a bad night on coverage. WKU was outgained in the return game 151–2.

Special Teams Kicking: A-

Obviously Narveson continues his Schwettman-like steadiness, nailing 17–of-18 in his Hilltopper career so far. He took Cory Munson’s job last season and really has never looked back. Munson did a good job on kickoffs, and I know he kicked one out of bounds, but they’re experimenting with a dead ball that they’re trying to kick away from a team expecting an onside kick. They’re trying to keep it in the field and force the other team to fall on it, or possibly to recover it way downfield. They did that against Indiana, as well. So I don’t really blame him much for kicking it out of bounds. This one almost stayed in.

Haggerty is the only one of the three that gets any kind of ding, simply because his 61 yarder did not go the way it was supposed to, allowing Reed to catch it in between the hashes on a low line drive. If it was more directed towards the sidelines, maybe that return doesn’t happen. But a slight ding for Munson and Haggerty not being perfect.

Offensive Coaching: B-

Nothing to write home about either way, honestly. Sure, the scheme is brilliant and I love the option routes between Stern and Zappe. Their chemistry is exquisite. I love that Zappe can check out of plays. Speaking of which, it seems like the only time the Tops will run is if Zappe feels like there’s an extreme advantage. I’m sure they have some called runs, but a majority of the run plays are checks when the defense has the route concept covered. But I would love to just see a slightly more balanced attack. WKU now has a running game. Several backs saw time, including Jakairi Moses coming back unexpectedly. Jamale Carothers saw time, so maybe he’s finally ready to contribute. I believe he may have some of the most potential of anyone in the running back stable. Let’s see if Kittley, Ellis, and Helton make any adjustments towards slightly more running plays.

Defensive Coaching Overall: C; Defensive Coaching First Half: F; Defensive Coaching Second Half: B+

Giving up 42 points in a half was horrifying. That is nothing short of colossal failure. Not many teams in the country will give up that much in one half all year. That’s really bad. Twitter and Facebook were afire after that performance. So just straight-up F all around for that performance. However, in the second half, giving up only six points is a very nice acquittal, but obviously MSU was not giving its purest effort out there, playing tons of subs being up 26 at the break. So good job redeeming yourself, but Western fans are getting itchy to see some decent defense. It has to get better or Mo Crum may be in trouble. It’s one thing to give up lots of yards or lots of points, or even not creating turnovers. But when your defense has All-American and All-Conference level pieces and you can’t do one of three, it’s time to get called out. I don’t think anyone should be losing their mind just yet, but if WKU can’t stop anyone in C-USA, then alarm bells should be ringing here in a couple of games.

Tyson Helton Decision Making and Overall Coaching: B

There’s nothing really noteworthy here that I can think of in terms of ohmylordjesus brilliant or whattheheckjusthappened stupid this game. Last game, there was a good amount of controversy over coaching decisions, but in a game that wasn’t that tight, Helton was not forced to make any serious decisions. The field goals were unfortunate, but on each one, WKU was backed up with tons of yardage to go for a first down. It didn’t make sense to go for any of those in my opinion. Good job on this one, Coach Helton.

Overall: B

It was just a solid effort all-around. There were issues, and frankly, the defense needs to pick it up quickly. But it is now obvious the defense will not be a top 40 defense like it has been in recent memory. So let’s not expect that much of them. But they did create some problems, they did come close to some balls in the passing game a few times, so maybe there’s a little bit of hope defensively. Offensively, I’d say all signs point to a dominant offense in conference play. If Power Five defenses and other top ten defenses can’t keep WKU under 31, who in the world is doing that in C-USA?

Heading into C-USA play, WKU fans should feel good about this team. The offense is clearly ridiculous, and frankly better than any other comparable juggernaut offense in WKU history if the running game picks up just a little more. But 520 yards per game speaks for itself. Defensively, WKU has played a tough combination of good offensive lines, decent passers, and good receivers and running backs. It was a tough slate that no one realistically could have expected more than 2–2. WKU is 1–3 and probably could argue it could be 4–0. Western fans could be frustrated with blown opportunities, but should be thrilled with the prospect of easier competition coming in conference. WKU might just dominate. We will immediate know more after Saturday’s matchup against undefeated UTSA.