WKU Football: Sting of Sanford Era Finally Gone
After the past two seasons of WKU football, the 2019 season already is a giant breath of fresh air to the program and fans alike.
After the past two seasons of WKU football, the 2019 season already is a giant breath of fresh air to the program and fans alike.
It goes without saying that the past two seasons weren’t very successful. From going 6–7 with an NFL caliber quarterback (Mike White) and several veterans returning to a hapless 3–9 season with some putrid losses last year, the Mike Sanford era at WKU just didn’t pan out the way any us predicted or wanted it to go. Sure it’s hard to be the guy after the guy leaves with him being the one to follow up Jeff Brohm who departed to Purdue but in the end, Sanford’s system just didn’t click on the Hill.
All of us would love to forget the past two seasons. From the infamous FIU punt and the entire Cure Bowl in 2017 to the ugly losses against Maine, ODU, and Charlotte it was just all-around painful to watch. But now that Sanford is gone and we are halfway through the 2019 season, all the pain that we went through the past two seasons makes these wins this season that much sweeter.
I tweeted this out as time was expiring against Army and took a moment to appreciate where this team is now.
Most of us had mild expectations for head coach Tyson Helton with it being his first year but by already getting four wins (and being 3–0 in the C-USA) this early in October was something that we didn’t see coming. Some of us on our staff only predicted WKU to win four games for the whole season. But this has been the best way to be proven wrong. This team already looks like they’ve bought into coach Helton’s system and even with them blowing their first game against FCS Central Arkansas, the guys rebounded and have looked extremely solid ever since.
Even with the growing pains of having a mostly young team coming off a losing season, a first-year head coach, and losing their starting quarterback for the year to injury this season, this team has adjusted tremendously. Grad transfer Ty Storey has stepped up after Steven Duncan went down and has added experience, game management, and rushing that has added a new dynamic to this Hilltopper team. Also running the ball with success is running back Gaej Walker who has already had four games this season with 100 yards rushing.
On the defensive side of the ball, they are already one of the best defensive teams that WKU has had in a long time.
With DeAngelo Malone being the cornerstone, they’ve been able to hold their own and then some with amazing defensive showings so far. Like holding Army, a strong rushing team, to just 137 rushing yards on 36 attempts and shutting them out until two minutes left in the game. In conference, they held ODU to only three points and intercepted last year’s C-USA champ UAB four times in one game and held them to just 13 points. If the defense can continue to dominate the way they have recently, this team has a shot at competing for and winning the East side of the Conference USA.
Being 4–2 in October is a great feeling but for WKU’s fanbase it just feels good to see them win again.
I have been able to attend all the home games so far this season and ever since the UAB game, the morale in the Houch has gotten better. I know a lot of people were upset and concerned after the Tops lost to UCA but after the win against UAB and especially Army, we all have a lot to be happy about now.
The players look more excited this season too. Seeing their excitement after a big win shows that they love this game and are here to compete. One of my favorite things the team has done the past two home games is go over by the student section and marching band to celebrate and even sing the fight song with them.
Coach Helton has already fulfilled one of his inaugural press conference comments by saying he was going to make WKU Football exciting to watch again. While most of us thought it would be more offensive-oriented excitement, it’s been a dominant defense that’s been the showcased thus far. As the offense continues to grow, it should only become more exciting and give this team an even greater margin for error.
Winning covers a multitude of mistakes and WKU has been able to do so thus far, especially in the C-USA. All things considered, this team is trending up and regardless of how the rest of the year turns out I believe they’re heading in the right direction under coach Helton and his staff. It’s time to forget what happened the past two seasons and appreciate where we are now. Helton has the program ahead of schedule and the promise he’s shown the first half of the season bodes well not only for the remainder of the season but for years to come.