WKU Football: WKU fights hard but falls in Moonshine Throwdown 20–17

After the Tops’ big first win of the season a week ago, the Tops returned home to face the Marshall Thundering Herd in the earlier…

After the Tops’ big first win of the season a week ago, the Tops returned home to face the Marshall Thundering Herd in the earlier Moonshine Throwdown. After a back and forth affair, the Tops had the opportunity to win with a touchdown after a long Steven Duncan to Jacques Sloan play to set the Tops up in the red zone, but a Duncan fumble near the goal line with 24 seconds left secured the Marshall win, 20–17.

Western’s first series of the of the night stalled out after a Seth Joest penalty and two straight sacks forcing the Hilltoppers to punt. The Hilltopper defense showed some strength forcing Marshall off the field. However, the WKU offense wasn’t able to capitalize and a short punt allowed Marshall to score with a quick 40-yard touchdown pass from Isaiah Green to Tyre Brady.

Both defenses stood strong until Drelle Green brought a punt 15 yards to the Marshall 35 yard line, seting up for the Tops’ first points of the game with a field goal to make it a 7–3 game.

WKU’s offense finally settled down after a rough start with three penalties and three sacks in the first few drives.

Marshall’s six play drive ended when the Herd attempted to go for a Trick play when Willie Johnson fumbled and WKU recovered. Western stalled out on the next drive, but Ta’Corian Darden snagged an interception to try and give WKU another chance.

However, WKU’s offense went for it on 4th-and-8 and failed to convert.

Duncan rallied the WKU offense in the second quarter, to lead them 72 yards for the Hilltoppers first touchdown of the night. Duncan carried the ball the final three yards for the score that made it 10–7.

A Marshall field goal a couple of series later made for a 10–10 halftime score.

After a rough start, the Hilltoppers played well in the first half. Duncan threw for 148 yards and completed 17-of-28 while Marshall’s Green threw for 110 yards and only completed 5-of-15. WKU had under 10 yards for total rushing in the first half.

Marshall had the chance to take the lead on the opening series of the second half, but Julien Lewis and the Tops’ special teams unit blocked a field goal that that would’ve put The Herd ahead.

Marshall pushed a 4th-and-2 to get the first down and push into WKU’s redzone. Even with a misdirection Marshall failed to get the TD and settled for the field goal, putting the Herd ahead 13–10. Western’s next drive ended quickly with an interception by Nazeeh Johnson who returned it to the WKU 44.

WKU’s defense quickly swiped an interception from Green and returned it all the way to the 10 yardline, setting Mik’Quan Deane up for an 11-yard touchdown shuffle-catch and run (which looked vaguely familiar from the Ball State game) to give the Tops a 17–13 advantage.

Marshall attempted to recover after the touchdown but was thwarted by another interception, this one by Masai Whyte, however after a Dionte Ruffin unsportsman-like penalty forced the Tops to start at the MU 43. The Hilltoppers were unable to capitalize and were forced to punt.

Marshall started their drive with 4:23 left in the game from their own two yard line, and proceeded do drive 98 yards in about half that time, with the drive ending in a 32-yard touchdown pass from . Green to Brady to give the Herd a 20–17 lead.

WKU had 1:44 left in the game to answer and after two blundered plays, Duncan completed a 60-yard bullet to Sloan to flip the field and set the Tops up in the red zone.

Set up at the MU 10, Duncan attempted to avoid a collapsing pocket and fumbled the ball away as it looked like he was maybe trying to throw it, with the Herd recovering to secure the three-point win.

Some post game thoughts

• The Tops’ offensive line is young and the first few series showed that, but with some adjustments the offensive line overcame the blitzs that Marshall threw at them.

• WKU failed to get over 100 yards rushing for the second time this year after recording just 42 against Maine.

• Special teams pinned Marshall twice inside the ten yard line.

• Isisah Green threw three interceptions and a fumble had Marshall at four turnovers for the night.

• WKU was 4-for-16 on third down, while Marshall was 4-for-15.

• Duncan made a few bad reads on the option early on, but for the most part played a great game.

• For the first time all year, WKU’s defense out shines the offense by forcing four turnovers but also allowing 401 total yards.

• The Hilltoppers are still winless at home.

• That wasn’t a fumble by Duncan.

The final stats.