WKU Football: Matt’s Stats: How Did WKU’s loss to UCA Compare to the Mike Sanford Era?
Without question, we can look at the scoreboard and say, “Well, it’s back to the same thing from last year.” Go ahead and do that if you…
Without question, we can look at the scoreboard and say, “Well, it’s back to the same thing from last year.” Go ahead and do that if you want, but I would encourage you to look past the end result and realize what really happened. Wherever the numbers lead you, let the individual stats tell part of the story before you jump to conclusions in a negative or positive manner.
Before WKU gave up three touchdowns, how did the team feel? Was it a good feeling? Was it impressive to see WKU run for nearly 200 yards on the ground? What do the final stats suggest? What Mike Sanford trends have immediately been overcome in one game?
In this version of Matt’s Stats, all I’m going to do is go through the stats and rank them as if they were a part of the Mike Sanford era. Maybe that will help us see where this game really stacked up.
Perhaps this will shed some light on how good this team was compared to the average performance during the Mike Sanford era. Stats don’t say everything, but they do tell us something that can point us in a more precise direction.
Team Stats
28 points scored-T-9th
35 points given up-7th Most
184 rushing yards gained-5th
304 yards passing-11th
488 total yards gained-3rd
20 yards rushing allowed-1st
404 yards passing allowed-Last
424 total yards allowed-10th Most
2 turnovers-T-6th Most
0 turnovers forced-T-19th (six other games with no forced turnovers)
55 yards per punt-1st (2nd 48.6)
Time of Possession 35:11–2nd
Individual Stats
152 rushing yards-1st
2 INT thrown-T-22nd
167 total offensive yards gained-1st
Four players with 50+ yards receiving-T-3rd
42-yard pass play-16th (including multiples in some games)
68 yard rush-1st
1.5 sacks-T-3rd (All other equal or greater performances by DeAngelo Malone and Juwuan Jones)
3.5 TFL-T-1st
Analysis
This is not directly intended to sway opinion one way or another. This is simply displaying the stats. I went through the stat sheet and picked anything that was reasonably able to be compared. If there wasn’t enough data, like one field goal attempt, for example, there’s no real reason to include the statistic.
Keep in mind that 2017 was a year with Mike White. White was an extraordinary, all-time level quarterback. His final season skewed many of the offensive passing numbers. Without Mike White, the difference would be even more tangible. Regardless, enjoy the comparison between Sanford and Helton.
There are certain trends that have been bucked immediately by Tyson Helton’s first game. When observing Mike Sanford’s first game, there were immediate negative trends. In Helton’s case, he has immediately gotten his players to do some things that haven’t been done in three years or more on The Hill.
A complete precedent was broken in rushing yards allowed, punting average, individual rushing yards, individual total yards, longest rush, and individual tackles for loss. That’s six separate categories Mike Sanford’s teams never accomplished over two full seasons.
Now obviously the worst looking stats had to do with turnovers and points allowed. Those are absolutely important, but those can generally be assisted by executing in the big moments. If WKU could shore up those major issues, finish some drives, and protect the football, Tyson Helton’s squad has some nice things going.
I am not going to belabor the point. Look at it for yourself. It’s one game. It’s against an FCS program. However, WKU’s debacle against Maine was a completely different set of stats than the game against Central Arkansas. Look at it for yourself.
Ultimately, no one is happy about the result, but challenge yourself a little bit. Look past what happened and be fair. The Tops are incredibly unlikely to go 0–12. Are they going to win a ton of games? Who knows? But look at the opportunities in the game for the score to have changed. In general, WKU had far more opportunities than UCA.
It was the first game of the year. Imagine a season of small improvements over time. If WKU could shore up the obvious issues from the season opener, like porous pass defense, turnovers, and a lack of energy in the fourth quarter, shouldn’t this team be in decent shape?
Those are big “if’s”, but it’s not an unrealistic one.
WKU looks to bounce back against FIU on Saturday. The schedule gets serious, as the first game of Conference USA awaits the Tops in Miami. The Tops better get ready.
FIU was blown out at what is supposed to be a pretty good Tulane team 42–14 to start the season. Watch out for information on the upcoming game coming from The Towel Rack this week.
WKU just lost to an FCS team, but let the stats tell part of the story instead of just looking at the final score with the obligatory meltdown teed up. In a 12 game season, one score will not tell the story. It’s about the whole picture.