WKU Football: Tops implode in second half lose to Central Arkansas
What makes a Purple Bear? well it’s not cause they were choking. Quite the contrary it was the Hilltoppers who were choking on Thursday…
What makes a Purple Bear? well it’s not cause they were choking. Quite the contrary it was the Hilltoppers who were choking on Thursday night. The Hilltoppers lost 35–28. For the second consecutive year, WKU lost to another FCS opponent at home.
WKU came out strong against UCA, who has talent in key positions; Breylin Smith (QB UCA) threw two touchdowns and 193 yards in the first half making our defensive backs look weak. When in fact the Defensive backs broke up several passes, but continually got drawn into the play action passes. The D-line and the linebackers were strong in the first half, led by Deangelo Malone who made several tackles for loss and causing all kinds of chaos for the choking Bears. Overall the defense played with a chip on its shoulder, and didn’t allow a score in the first quarter. It didn’t show any give, until a drawn out series by UCA pushed the conditioning of WKU’s defense, ultimately allowing a Touchdown.
Offensively, the first half had some bright spots and some mistakes. Good news for WKU’s offense is Gaej Walker who had 111 yards in the first half. He scored on the first play for the Hilltopper Offense (60 yard run). Some ugly parts would be Steven Duncan’s two first half interceptions. A Bright spot that Hilltopper fans have missed is Jakairi Moses, who had a crucial 22 yard reception in the first half. He set out the 2018 season due to an injury. The offensive line played amazing; they gave Duncan time and opened up holes for Walker. What more could you ask for?
In the second half, it was a completely different story. WKU lost that chip on their shoulder. Scoring only one more touchdown while UCA scored 21 points in the second half. So what beat the Hilltoppers? Quarterbacks.
Breylin Smith (UCA QB) played smart, made good decisions downfield, and didn’t force throws. Steven Duncan (WKU QB) did not. I don’t believe Duncan was making bone head mistakes out of incompetence, Quite the opposite, I think he was trying to put the team on his back. He forced throws to receivers who weren’t open and it caused the interceptions. He got lucky at one point in the fourth quarter when throwing to Josh Simon (WKU TE) and other times when the UCA DB’s were just a step slow or else it would’ve been going the other way. With that said, it’s a new system and he shouldn’t have this loss put on him. When Duncan sat in the pocket and made smart decisions he was next level, and I don’t know if he had an ankle injury but he runs like his cleats are made of concrete. Coach Helton, please no more draw plays where he needs to get more than five yards. He did throw for 304 yards on the night. SO there’s that.
There were bright spots in the second half for the Tops, we’ve got a great punter. WKU didn’t have to punt until the third quarter and new punter John Haggerty booted it when he did.
Overall tonight was a learning experience. Losing has to be a learning experience for this team.
Last year, I would’ve been ranting about the horrible calls coming from the coaching staff, but this year I can’t say that. For the most part the coaches put the guys in the best place to win the game. O-line and RB’s were collectively good especially Gaej Walker and Jakairi Moses. Walker finished the night with 152 yards and two touchdowns, and strangely only had 41 yards in the second half.
But the team that went in the locker room at the end of the first half wasn’t the same as the one that came out.
This team has potential, but they won’t live up to it if they play like they did tonight.
Here are the final stats:
