WKU Football: Remembering the 2011 Victory Over Middle Tennessee
Entering the 2019 season, WKU Football is at a critical juncture for the program. After seven straight seasons of bowl eligibility…
Entering the 2019 season, WKU Football is at a critical juncture for the program. After seven straight seasons of bowl eligibility (2011–2017) that included back to back Conference USA Championships, the program has found itself in its worst position since the winless season of 2009 during the FBS transition. While a 3–9 down season doesn’t compare to 26 straight losses, the program still must overcome a malaise that took over in the two years of the Sanford era.
With the season still 49 days away it is fun to explore pivotal wins over the last decade. Last month we recalled the 2010 victory over Louisiana Lafayette, today we’ll examine the 2011 100 Miles of Hate victory over arch-rival Middle Tennessee. Here are the first-hand accounts from three members* of the program, they’ll tell you what happened on October 6th, 2011 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and why it was so important for the WKU program.
*Note: Casey Tinius’s comments were pulled from a larger interview that will air soon on the REDout podcast
Devin Stewart — Student Trainer (2006–2011)
When rivalry week comes around, there’s only one that I can think of. Any true WKU fan will taste bile when they mutter the letters M-T-S-U. Before 2007, I didn’t care about MTSU. It was a division one school in a suburb of Nashville. They also happen to be the only division one school that David Elson beat as Head Coach at WKU.
As I mentioned in the last piece, Elson made an agreement with the players that if the team went 7–5 in the first transition year that they would get rings. Even though the schedule was “watered down” the guys still did amazing. They beat Middle, and some other FCS schools and losing almost every game to FBS schools.
Enter 2008, and the start of the 26 game losing streak. The Tops would lose to the MUTS 21–10 in 2008, embarrassingly 62–24 in 2009, and a nail bitter 27–26 in 2010.
After three seasons of complete and utter humiliation, WKU was ready to start winning. They had snapped the losing streak and were facing another one after going 0–4 to start the 2011 season. WKU headed down the 100 Miles of Hate to Murfreesboro to face the MUTS in their house.
Matt McCay- Student Equipment Manager (2009–2014)
In 2011, Western Kentucky Football was still struggling to fully break through the glass ceiling to a become a true factor in the Football Bowl Subdivision, let alone the Sun Belt Conference.
At the time, WKU was coming off four straight losses to begin the 2011 season. It seemed like the Tops might be hoping to win three or four games, but in retrospect, this MTSU game in Murfreesboro on October 6, 2011, was the real turning point for Willie Taggart’s tenure.
Prior to the 2011 version of 100 Miles of Hate, the Tops took on UK at L.P. Field in a…I would say defensive struggle, 14–3. This was a year Kentucky was decent, going 5–7, so staying close to them was a huge achievement for a team with four wins in its last three seasons and four games. If a few wide freaking open passes to Jack Doyle in the end zone don’t end up in the kicking net and that game could’ve easily gone a different direction.
Casey Tinius- Placekicker (2007–2011)
I made my first field goal of the year against UK in Nashville. On the second attempt, we had procedural issues. If you look back, we had every opportunity to win that game.
Matt
The next game was at home against Navy. In a bizarre setup to a game, without warning, the entire pregame warm-up was under a massive storm, and by the beginning of the game, the sweltering sun came out. Ultimately, the Naval Academy was more disciplined and absolutely blew us out 40–14.
That was definitely our first kick in the teeth. Going into that game, you’d hope to compete with a mid-major, and the fact that game was never close was frustrating without question. On a positive note, Brandon Doughty came in as a redshirt freshman and threw for 200 yards after Kawaun Jakes was benched earlier in the game.
In teeth knocking number two, the Tops took on FCS member Indiana State, again getting absolutely rocked by a beatable opponent. Indiana State had some really solid Power Five transfers, but really there was no excuse for losing to a team like that.
Casey
We weren’t just 0–4, we got handled by Indiana State, a 1-AA school. That was one of two 1-AA schools we lost to while we were there. They were good but there was no excuse for it.
Matt
That game definitely caused extreme doubt and controversy in the locker room and even the equipment room. I remember conversations from various members about how we were doomed and this program sucked. That loss felt like a step back into 2009, honestly. If we could lose to the Sycamores, who else would we be favored to beat? Oh and remember the Doughty thing? That was the game he blew out his ACL in the first half (Which helped eventually land him a 6th year of eligibility in 2016).
After a week off, the Tops started conference play against Arkansas State. ASU, coached by future Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, was considered a dark horse for the Sun Belt title, which they eventually won. Long story short, the Tops controlled most of the game, but a controversial call and review ultimately cost us our chance to take a final lead. The Tops lost to the Red Wolves, 26–22. We would wait for them to lose a conference game all season, and they never did, going 8–0 in the conference. Looking back, this was a heck of a performance against a really good team. At the time, it felt like another missed opportunity, which it was, without question.
So those events set up that year’s version of 100 Miles of Hate, a storied rivalry in multiple sports between WKU and MTSU. Two years earlier at Middle, I heard 50-year-old men making sex jokes about Brandon Smith (now state champion coach at South Warren High School) and female athletic trainers. Middle always keeps it classy, right? That is the absolute truth. Pure, unadulterated trash. Middle is the #BackFatOfNashville.
Four years prior to this game, WKU had shocked Middle at Middle for its first-ever win versus a (then) 1-A opponent. MTSU was predicted to be middle-of-the-pack, so for once, prognosticators actually expected Middle to do what Middle does: Finish between second place and second to last but never seal the deal.
The Tops came into this game predicted to lose, but ESPNU thought enough of the game’s potential to carry a great mid-major rivalry (playing on a Thursday certainly helped). Playing Middle is huge emotionally for me. I have never had a decent experience with Middle Tennessee. We had peewee baseball coaches (and their teams) flipping us the bird at basketball games. We had security called on us for cheering. Fights have nearly happened several times in multiple sports.
Don’t get me wrong: Lots of emotion went into the game, but I think the players probably viewed it mainly as another game. Sure, they know it’s a rivalry, but does each player really feel the rivalry? I didn’t sense that. Regardless, everyone knew it was a big game. Heading into the game, MTSU was equally struggling, bringing a team with only one win well into the season. Middle would only win one more game that season, defeating FAU, the Sun Belt bottom feeder that season.
So the two teams are struggling heading into this one. I honestly don’t remember as much about the pre-game and build-up to the games against Middle, especially at Middle. Really, there’s not much to talk about. The visiting locker room is absolutely tiny, and it was really difficult to work it logistically with all of the equipment we have to bring in there. Good luck to the trainers trying to stretch someone out. If I remember right, they had to set up outside the locker room to even function. They had a tent, I’m pretty sure.
Devin
For those of you who have been to the games, you don’t actually get to “see how the sausage is made”. MTSU’s visitor accommodations were trash. Once the Tops leave the field, the fans are literally right in your face. Normally it’s blocked or roped off, not there. Once we had an intoxicated fan try and enter the visiting locker room at MTSU. Luckily, Walt Wells, the WKU offensive linemen coach showed him the door. The “training room” if that’s what you call it, is literally where you set your tables up outside. Complete trash. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been to some stadiums where the facilities were very lacking. But MTSU’s facilities weren’t even there. It wouldn’t have cost that much more to add a 10 x 10 or 20 x 20 room for a “training room”.
There’s no love from me with MTSU.
Matt
I put up a handwritten “Beat Middle” sign on plain white paper on the side of our CoachComm (headset system for coaches), right in view of the Middle fans behind us. As it came time for game time, we run out from the locker room waving our red towels (my job was to pick them up). The excitement is building. It’s time to kickoff, and little did we know, this would be an instant classic.
Devin
The game started at 7:30 pm ET, so fans were ramped up from tailgating all day and nothing to do in Murfreesboro. WKU was ready for retribution. The Tops opened up the game by getting the ball.
Matt
WKU comes out storming, taking the opening drive down, completing a long pass to Jack Doyle among some other nice plays, and settle for a really long field goal from Casey, which was blocked.
Casey
It got tipped at the line. I do remember they had blocked two the week before and we were kind of playing for them to do that.
Matt
Once again, doubt creeps in. You look good, stall out, and let somebody bust through and block a field goal attempt. Great job, Tops.
So Middle and their quarterback Logan Kilgore promptly quickly march down the field for a ten play drive and take a 7–0 lead. Here was the chance for the Tops to fold, but in this case, whether it was because of rivalry magic or whatever, much like the magical 2016 game at Middle, no team held greater than a touchdown advantage the entire way. And in another interesting parallel to the latter game, both times Western would capitalize on a Middle mistake in the second overtime.
After Middle went up 7–0, the Tops responded immediately, slogging down the field in pure Taggart ball fashion, running 6:31 off the clock on an 11 play drive. Fullback Kadeem Jones snuck into the end zone to finish off a drive of steady Bobby Rainey left, right, John Evans rush, Kadeem Jones short yardage gain, Bobby Rainey left, right, as was typical in the days of Bobby Rainey.
Devin
WKU quickly responded tying up the score 7–7.
At this point, we knew it was going to be a fight. They looked down on us, thinking they were better than us. The 1st quarter ended with a punt from MTSU with WKU starting the 2nd quarter looking to add another score. However, a blitz by MTSU’s Leighton Gasque would rush Jakes causing him to be sacked and fumble with MTSU recovering at the WKU 34 yard line.
Any other Defense would’ve rolled over, but two plays later Derrius Brooks AKA D’Roc came away with an interception on the 1-yard line. Dodged a bullet there. WKU would be forced to punt a few plays later. MTSU would drive back into WKU’s red zone for another chance to score, and it was swiped away by Andrew Jackson (he’s the guy that started the “They supposed to be SEC”) for an 18-yard return. Which was AMAZING considering he was our “hit stick guy” who never really dropped back into coverage but was an extra guy on the pass rush? After that both sides kind of stalled out, being forced to punt with neither team coming ahead. Both teams would go to the locker room tied at seven.
Matt
Was it pretty? Not always, but bless it if wasn’t unbelievably effective. Bobby’s legend really grew from this game, scoring multiple touchdowns and nearly rushing for 150 yards in a game pretty much won by the Topper rushing attack.
Devin
MTSU would get the ball starting the 2nd half, and it wouldn’t take long for them to find the endzone. However, WKU blocked the field goal keeping MTSU close 13–7. Another three and out would bring WKU punt back on the field. MTSU would march down to the WKU 29, where Logan Kilgore would pass to Malcolm Beyah for five yards; he would fumble and WKU’s Ryan Beard would recover. So, the defense was super pumped. But the offense wasn’t, so a few plays later the punt team was back on the field. Luckily punter Hendrix Brakefield pinned MTSU on their two-yard line. Allowing the defense to force a safety. I guess if the offense isn’t going to score, somebody has too.
That safety would make the score WKU 9 MTSU 13 with 5:40 left in the 3rd quarter.
After a hard-fought series, WKU finally scored offensively (Bobby Rainey runs it in from 10-yard line.). WKU-16 MTSU-13. MTSU kicks a field goal and ties it back up. Once WKU got scoring offensively, the scores were being answered quickly by MTSU.
WKU and MTSU were tied at 16 with 9:23 left in the fourth quarter.
Matt
Between the backfield of Keyshawn Simpson, John Evans, Bobby Rainey, and Kadeem Jones, nearly 70 percent of the total offensive yards and all five touchdowns, including a clutch kickoff return touchdown by John Evans to retake the lead.
I really debated about telling this story, but before that kickoff return, the Tops were now tied at 16. Middle just tied the game with a field goal.
I turned to Tyree (T.C.) Robinson, who was almost always John Evans’ blocker on kickoffs. I came up beside T.C. on his left side and I said, “T.C., I’m not sure if you’re going to get this ball on the kickoff or not, but YOU be the reason we house this kickoff.”
“Yuh, yuh,” he says in Florida accent.
Ten seconds later, T.C. comes with a full head of steam and absolutely MURDERS an MTSU player and John Evans runs through a gaping hole for the touchdown. I honestly have no idea if what I said made a bit of a difference, but all I’m saying is John Evans got freshman All-American because of this play. Not to mention, the Tops don’t win this game without that play.
You’re welcome, Tops.
That is one hundred percent the truth. Believe it or not.
Devin
WKU’s John Evans ran back a 90-yard kick return for a TD.
WKU-23 MTSU-16 with 9:10 remaining in the fourth quarter
MTSU has a passing TD, and this time they hit the extra point
WKU and MTSU were once again tied, this time at 23 with 4:55 left in the fourth quarter.
With 4:15 left in the 4th quarter. Both teams were staring at overtime. There was plenty of time to put the game away, but neither team could muster a score. We were going to overtime.
Casey
We got a field goal blocked at the end of regulation. That was a rough one for me.
Matt
So this amazing game continues back and forth. The Tops and Raiders go to overtime. A game which featured a safety, four missed field goals, a missed PAT, a return for a touchdown, and critical turnovers somehow ends up landing the Tops and Raiders in overtime.
After Middle wins the toss, the Blue Raiders go on defense first.
Devin
College Football has the best system for overtime. Each team gets the ball on the 25. If one team scores, then the other has to score or it’s over. By far better than the NFL’s way of doing.
WKU gets the ball in the first OT, and their momentum holds. WKU marches down the field and scores with Kareem Jones running it in from the one-yard line.
Casey
There’s nothing more nerve-wracking then kicking an extra point in overtime. It should be so simple but you know in the back of your mind if something happens and you don’t make this you’re going to lose because you missed the extra point.
In the flow of the game, it can happen but you’re not thinking that in the first quarter. But in overtime, you realize that if you miss it all they have to do is hit an extra point to beat you.
Devin
Luckily Casey hit the PAT so MTSU was forced to answer, and they did, very quickly. 25-yard pass from MTSU’s Logan Kilgore on first down.
Going into the first overtime, I was very confident. After Kilgore threw a 25-yard touchdown pass on first down, let’s say my confidence was slipping.
Matt
Middle comes back and throws a dart on the first play for a touchdown, and here is a massive decision point: Should Stockstill have gone for two here? He doesn’t, and the rest is history. Made PAT and ho-hum, we go to a second overtime period.
Devin
MTSU gets the ball first to start the second overtime. MTSU rushes 7 yards to the 18-yard line. My heart rate increases. Kilgore’s next pass is complete for 6 yards to the 12-yard line. So now it’s first down and only 12 yards separating them from the go-ahead score.
MTSU rushes for five yards to the 7-yard line. My blood pressure is going crazy. MTSU rushes once more for only one yard putting them at the 6-yard line. So, it’s 3rd and four. Middle is knocking on the door and what do they do. Call a timeout. OMG by this time I am so freaking on edge because of all the tension. Everyone comes into the huddle on the sideline. Coaches are barking orders, players are listening, and everyone knows this has to be a stop. Not that this is the end of the game, but with a stop here, WKU is in charge on the next drive.
The refs start signaling that the time out is over, and WKU lines back up. MTSU’s Kilgore takes the snap, drops back to pass, he’s looking for Sancho McDonald, he throws, and it’s dropped. MTSU is forced to kick a field goal.
WKU- 30 MTSU-33 halfway through the second overtime
Matt
So the score is 33–30, MTSU. WKU gets the ball, and obviously, this feels like advantage WKU. Western could stall out here and kick a game-tying field goal. Tinius has missed three field goals over 40 yards, but if he gets a decent look, we trust him to ring true. This is a good spot. Obviously, if we go down and score, Tops win in a thriller.
Well, guess what happens? Freakin’ Topper magic, that’s what!
Jakes pass incomplete.
Jakes pass incomplete.
Well, what do we do now? We just passed for two incompletions. How about running Bobby for 11 yards? Works for me. First down.
That man was unbelievable. Name another back who did more with less than that guy. Warrior.
It looked like Willie had figured out who his go-to was for this W, because Bobby runs the next play down to the seven-yard line.
Man, this thing is getting TIGHT! This is about where Middle stalled out. What happens here? How about going to Bobby on a little out, he breaks loose behind the defender and falls into the end zone.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Devin
WKU-36 MTSU-33 Final after two overtimes.
This game was the first win for WKU Football in the 2011 season. WKU would not lose another game that season until they traveled to #1 LSU over a month later.
Casey
I missed a 50-yard field goal that would have tied it at 10 right before the half. That place (Death Valley)was nuts.
Devin
They won seven out of their last 8 games. This would mark the first time WKU would become bowl eligible since it entered the FBS division. It wasn’t going to be the last one either. What made that victory even better was beating the MUTTS.
Casey
After being benched three or four times, I hit a game-winner (against FIU) that helped me salvage something from a miserable last two years. Especially on a personal level with how my performance had been.
It’s not how you start it’s how you finish. It’s funny that people really only remember the FIU kick, they don’t remember the horrible percentage that led up to that.
Matt
The Middle win was definitely one of the highlights of my career, and when you look at the impact it had on MTSU and WKU, it was a massive win for WKU. Middle finished 2–10 that season and that win was the first of a string of seven victories in eight games to finish that season.
WKU would go on from there to post five more consecutive winning seasons, including going to the Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl in 2012 and winning conference championships in 2015 and 2016. Without question, this game started it all.
We found a way, kicked in the door against a bitter rival, and didn’t look back for six straight seasons.
That season was a magical run, and the Tops hung with number one LSU until late in the third quarter in the lone loss after an 0–4 start.
All told, Western Kentucky finished 7–5 and 7–1 in the Sun Belt Conference. If it wasn’t for ASU winning every conference game that season, the Tops would’ve claimed a conference championship four years earlier than it did.
It was such an honor to be a part of that magic. That team was an overachiever that overcame serious adversity. Ultimately, the team rallied behind incredible leaders in that locker room, many of which would end up being pros in the NFL, CFL, or AFL.
There were some great players on that 2011 team (Bobby Rainey, Jack Doyle, Quanterus Smith, Andrew Jackson) and more exciting victories would follow including an absolute murdering of Troy, the preseason Sun Belt favorite on Senior Night. But the overtime classic over Middle was one of the best highlights of my managing career on The Hill.