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8-29-2014

UA12/2/1 Topper Extra - Tops Take Aim at BGSU

WKU Student Affairs

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Recommended Citation WKU Student Affairs, "UA12/2/1 Topper Extra - Tops Take Aim at BGSU" (2014). WKU Archives Records. Paper 6371. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlsc_ua_records/6371

This Other is brought to you for free and open access by TopSCHOLAR®. It has been accepted for inclusion in WKU Archives Records by an authorized administrator of TopSCHOLAR®. For more information, please contact [email protected]. topper offense set to Topper extra break out in 2014 page 2 AUG. 29, 2014 > WKUHERALD.COM > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY tops take aim at bGSU PAGE 2 AUGUST 29, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM Topper off ense eyeing breakout 2014 season BY KYLE WILLIAMS year of the system. Norris and tight ends Mitchell Henry, Ty- [email protected] “We have to be consistent,” Doughty ler Higbee and Tim Gorski, who together said. “Everyone has to play their role and hauled in a combined 184 receptions for WKU football opens its season under everyone has to understand that it’s going 2,285 yards and 13 touchdowns last sea- the bright lights of Smith Stadium for to take 11 guys. Guards are going to have son. just the second time in nine years tonight to help me out and help the receivers out The Hilltoppers also welcome junior when it welcomes Bowling Green State and things are going to have to roll for us. college transfers Jared Dangerfi eld and for what should be a high-scoring affair. We’re going to stay consistent throughout Antwane Grant, who will add needed size First-year Falcons Dino the whole game and just keep pushing.” to the receiving core. Dangerfi eld and Babers led Eastern Illinois to an average Doughty will hand the ball off to junior Grant are 6-foot 3-inch and 6-foot 1-inch, of 48.2 points per game last season and running back Leon Allen in the backfi eld respectively. inherits a BGSU team that returns eight and will look to connect with a plethora “I’ve been here for a long time and, hon- starters on offense. of experienced receiving options down estly, I think this is probably the most ex- However, Head CoachJeff Brohm and the the fi eld this season. plosive offense we’ve had as far as depth- Hilltoppers return nine starters from the Allen enters his fi rst year as a full-time wise, too. I think we have two or three unit that ranked No. 2 in the Sun Belt last starter, having compiled career totals of deep at every position on the fi eld,” Mc- season and averaged 458.5 yards per game. 674 yards and seven touchdowns, fi ve of Neal said. “There’s going to be no letting Most notably, WKU returns redshirt se- which came last season. up at all. If somebody goes down, some- nior , who Backing up Allen will be redshirt sopho- body comes out and there’s still going to broke four program passing records last more running backs Anthony Wales and be that pressure. I think there will be a lot season, including the 23-year-old record Darmontre Warr. Wales totaled 112 yards of pressure on the defensive coordina- for most single-season passing yards with last season for two scores on just 17 at- tors, too, because you’re not just going to MIKE CLARK/HERALD 2,857. tempts. Warr spent last season as a fi xture game plan on two or three guys on the of- The 6-foot 3-inch, 210-pound gun- of the Hilltoppers’ special teams unit. fense, you’re really going to have to worry Redshirt senior quarterback Brandon slinger said that the offense is working on WKU returns receivers Willie McNeal, about everybody at every position.” Doughty takes a snap at practice on Tues- being as sharp as possible in the second Joel German, Taywan Taylor, Nicholas CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 day, Aug. 26.

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www.colorinmotion5k.com HERALD50 AUGUST 29, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM PAGE 3 PAGE 4 AUGUST 29, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM

Topper coaches coupling youth with experience BY KYLE WILLIAMS bined coaching experience on a combined 56 touchdowns in [email protected] the collegiate level, which is 51 his time behind center at Trinity years more than any other C- High School. He then recorded When the Hilltoppers step onto USA staff. 5,451 yards passing and 44 total Feix Field tonight for their sea- “I feel great about our coach- touchdowns at the University of son-opening bout with the Bowl- ing staff,” Brohm said. “Not only Louisville from 1989-93. ing Green State Falcons, they’ll do they have a ton of experience, The fi rst-year head coach be representing WKU football as but they’re very proven coaches. spent seven years in the National a member of Conference USA for They love being here. They love Football League and played with the fi rst time. For some, it’ll mark working with our guys.” the likes of Steve Young, Jerry the fi rst time they’ve ever fully In addition, Brohm and his Rice, Warren Sapp and Derrick geared up in preparation for a staff have familiarized them- Brooks among others. Brohm’s regular-season game. selves with the area over their lone touchdown pass was to Ter- With 67 underclassmen com- lengthy careers. The Hilltopper rell Owens. prising the 105-man roster, coaching staff has allotted 64 “Getting coached from a coach WKU is the youngest team in C- years of coach- that actually did it with a helmet, USA and the 25th youngest team ing experience in Kentucky, and you know, it’s a big difference,” in the country. for each of the past 19 years, at redshirt senior receiver Willie Conversely, the Hilltopper least one member of the staff McNeal said at the team’s Mon- coaching staff is already more ex- has been coaching in the blue- day press conference. “He could MIKE CLARK/HERALD perienced than any other coach- grass state. tell you about his past experi- Associate Head Coach instructs players during the WKU ing staff in its new conference. Brohm was born and raised ences at times like this and how football practice on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at Smith Stadium. Holt or- Head Coach ’s staff roughly 116 miles up Interstate he prepared.” chestrated the 10th ranked pass defense and the 14th ranked total has totaled 238 years of com- 65 in Louisville, where he scored CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 defense in the nation last season.

SIDELINES He’s waited, and Jeff Brohm’s time is now BY ELLIOTT PRATT needs work?" and “How anxious the results, but not until you real- mentum left over big win for us as a university, as a [email protected] are you to fi nally coach your fi rst ly get out there and get your feet from last year. program,” senior defensive back game?” wet do you know exactly where Instead, Cam Thomas said. “Defi nitely a I’ve been wait- Well, now here we are. you stand. The fact that we’re they’re getting big win for our team to start off ing for this mo- So-and-so is replaced, the work playing a very good opponent is the defending the season right in Conference ment about as is done and as you can imagine, great for us. We get to see exactly Mid-American USA even though it’s an out-of- long as Head Brohm is ready and anxious to where we stand right off the bat.” Conference conference game, it’d just be big Coach Jeff Brohm coach his fi rst game as the boss. It won't be a cupcake opener champions to make a statement against a has, but not in I’m ready to evaluate how this for Brohm’s debut either. Heck, Bowling Green. Jeff Brohm high-caliber opponent that won the sense you’re team matches up against other there are no cupcakes on the The Falcons have the MAC championship last year. probably think- opponents. Brohm has his team schedule at all in their fi rst year in a new coach in Dino Babers, We’re ready to make a statement Elliott Pratt ing. as ready as they can be for Bowl- Conference USA. who proved at Eastern Illinois he this season.” Brohm has ing Green State tonight. Brohm’s not going to have a knows a thing or two about put- This team is ready to show they been waiting for this night his en- But that doesn’t mean he’s not get-your-feet wet game to feel ting a high-scoring offense on the won’t miss a beat in the system tire life. I’ve been waiting for to- nervous heading into his fi rst out his team and his head coach- fi eld. Petrino established last year, and night since January when he took game as a head coach. ing styles. He prepared for all of So Brohm gets to start the sea- Brohm is ready to show that 11 the job. “I think you always have a little that last year under Bobby Petri- son off at home against a team years of waiting in the wings of He hasn’t said it, and he prob- bit of nerves and I defi nitely have no and in years past when he that is favored to win by a touch- his mentors could fi nally pay off. ably never will, but I’m sure he’s those nerves right now,” Brohm coached for him. His 12-month down by multiple betting lines. Get ready. The Brohm era at tired of answering the typical said. “You want your team to play audition was good enough to So would a WKU win be consid- WKU offi cially begins today. preseason questions like, “How well, you want all the hard work land him the job in January with ered a statement win? So check your pulse, and let’s do you replace so-and-so?” "Who to pay off, you want them to see the idea of maintaining the mo- “It’d be huge. It’d defi nitely be a play football. AUGUST 29, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM PAGE 5

HILLTOPPER SCHEDULE

Bowling Green Illinois MTSU Navy UAB Atlantic Bowling Green, Ohio Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Murfreesboro, Tennessee Annapolis, Maryland Birmingham, Alabama Boca Raton, Florida Coach: Dino Babers Tim Beckman Ken Niumataolo Bill Clark Charlie Partiridge 2013 record: 10-4 4-8 8-5 9-4 2-10 6-6 Aug. 29, HOME Sept. 6, AWAY Sept. 13, AWAY Sept. 27, AWAY Oct. 4, HOME Oct. 18, AWAY

Old Dominion Louisiana Tech UTEP Army UTSA Marshall Norfolk, Virginia Ruston, Louisiana El Paso, Texas West Point, New York San Antonio, Texas Huntington, W. Virginia Bobby Wilder Sean Kugler Jeff Monken Larry Coker Doc Holliday 8-4 4-8 2-10 3-9 7-5 10-4 Oct. 25, HOME Nov. 1, AWAY Nov. 8, HOME Nov. 15, HOME Nov. 22, HOME Nov. 28, AWAY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 different ways of going about things, but they Brohm landed a job at his alma mater in come together as one unit to get us ready and 2003, serving as coach until teach us all different traits that they taught the 2006 when he was named assistant head past guys...so we’ve just been trying to inherit coach. In 2008, he added offensive coordi- those different traits and come together as nator to his title. He's made stops at FAU, one unit.” Illinois and UAB before arriving at WKU in Callaway and Dunn have compiled over 2013. 75 years of collegiate coaching experience The Hilltoppers return six of nine assis- between them, and although Shepard has tant coaches from a season ago in defensive just six years of experience under his belt, coordinator Nick Holt, cornerbacks coach he’s one of the more vocal coaches on the Ricky Brumfi eld, offensive line coach Neil staff. Callaway, defensive backs coach Mike Cas- “They’ve put a lot of pressure on the quar- sity, defensive tackles coach Don Dunn and terbacks. Not just the quarterbacks, but ev- wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shepard. eryone on the team,” Doughty said. “I think Holt’s Hilltopper defense ranked No. 10 that’s good, so the game is easy. A lot of yell- in the nation in pass defense and No. 14 ing, a lot of screaming, but those guys are so overall in total defense. Under Holt’s tute- knowledgeable of the game and understand lage in 2008, USC led the country in scoring x’s and o’s and why we’re calling things.” defense at just nine points per game and Despite this being the fi rst year on the allowed a total of 221.77 yards per game, Hill for Tyson Hel- which ranks as the lowest total by a Pac-10 ton, defensive ends coach Ken Delgado program since 1971. and running backs coach Greg Nord, they Cassity and Brumfi eld’s secondary units don’t come without strong college coach- contributed to the Sun Belt’s best overall ing backgrounds, either. defense last season with a league-best 14 Helton has held positions at Memphis, interceptions, led by now-graduated Tyree UAB and Cincinnati prior to his gig at WKU Robinson and redshirt senior Cam Thom- and Delgado and Nord each have more as, who combined for nine. Thomas led than 20 years to their name. the Sun Belt with fi ve interceptions and 15 The Hilltoppers’ plan is simple – they’re passes defended. combining youth and athleticism with an “We have a lot of experience,” Thomas said. abundance of coaching experience. The “Experience in bowl games and big-time plan is simple, but the game plan come Fri- games in different conferences. They all have day night is sure to be anything but. PAGE 6 AUGUST 29, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM ALL FOR THEM McNeal turns adversity into motivation

BY ELLIOTT PRATT That changed when Willie was offered [email protected] a scholarship to play football at WKU in 2008. A tattoo featuring two faces stretches McNeal knew the blessing in front of across Willie McNeal’s chest. him was too good to waste. Terry Obee On the right side of his chest is a por- was WKU’s receivers’ coach in McNeal’s trait of a woman’s face — on the left, a fi rst year on the Hill. He saw an ambi- man’s. In between the two faces is a cross tious kid wanting to maximize the op- with the words “Rest In Peace” written on portunity before him. JEFF BROWN/HERALD a scroll. “Where he came from was a little dif- Redshirt senior Willie McNeal's family struggles motivated him to be suc- It serves as a reminder of the long road ferent than being here,” Obee said. “He cessful on the fi eld as well as in the classroom. McNeal has taken to get to this point as a learned how to come here and work his butt off from where he came from. The Career REC. Career Yards Career TDs redshirt senior heading into his fi nal sea- son as a wide receiver for WKU. kid knows how to survive. He knew how Quick Stats McNeal’s mother, Linda Jackson died to take advantage of everything at this McNeal lead the Toppers in TD when he was 13. His father passed away university.” two years later. McNeal made noise right out of the receptions the past two seasons. 115 1,515 13 gate as a redshirt freshman in the return “Life wasn’t easy,” McNeal said. “My family would struggle. Living with my game. He earned freshman All-American mom, who was a single parent, she did honors as a kickoff returner averaging 22 her best to take care of me and my broth- yards per return, including a 90-yard re- ers and sisters. With my mom’s passing, turn for a touchdown against Kentucky. I moved in with my brothers and sisters. At the time, McNeal was riding high. I’ll say it wasn’t as rough as it was just liv- He and previous running back Bobby ing with my mom. It still wasn’t easy.” Rainey were the Toppers’ two highlight When his mother passed away, McNeal machines on a 2-10 Topper squad. moved in with his oldest sister, Malinda McNeal fi nished the season second on Greene, who is 11 years older. Greene the team with 1,408 all-purpose yards also took in McNeal’s other sister and and was eager to touch the ball on every four other brothers, while at the same snap in any way he could get it. time, raising four children of her own, all Former coach called Mc- in one house. Neal a playmaker despite being “the lit- “In school and football, I always try to tlest guy out there.” push for her — to make her happy,” Mc- “He always wants the ball, which I love,” Neal said. “Playing football I know re- Taggart said in 2010. “He doesn’t just talk ally makes her happy. I try to make plays about it, but he is about it. He constantly for her. She can’t really afford to come plays fast. If you watch the kid, he’s just to home games, so she watches games going faster than everyone else. He’s not on TV and on the links online she can necessarily faster than all of them, but he watch." plays faster.” …she took care of us. I appreciate my McNeal’s play fi nally caught up to him older sister for that. Everything I do, I do the next season. for her.” McNeal suffered tears to his right ante- McNeal never thought about col- rior cruciate ligament and right posterior lege growing up with his neighborhood cruciate ligament when two linemen fell friends in Bradenton, Florida. The topic on his knee in a drill during the spring of of discussion was always which of their 2011. favorite NFL teams they’d play for. SEE MCNEAL PAGE 11 AUGUST 29, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM PAGE 7 PAGE 8 AUGUST 29, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM

WKU NAMES TO WATCH

Jeff Brohm: Head Coach Brandon Doughty: redshirt senior Cam Thomas: redshirt senior Leon Allen: junior running back - Brohm, an 11-year college coaching vet- quarterback defensive back - Served as primary backup to All- eran, takes over as head coach after serv- - Holds program records in single- - Led Sun Belt last season with American running back Antonio ing as the team’s assistant head coach and season passing yards (2,857), fi ve interceptions and 15 passes Andrews last season. off ensive coordinator last season. completion percentage (65.8), defended last season. Those num- - Tallied 357 yards on 72 carries - Led the No. 2-ranked off ense in the Sun single-game completions (29) bers ranked No. 20 and No. 17 in and fi ve touchdowns last year. Belt last season. and single-game passing yards the country, respectively. Owns career totals of 674 yards - WKU off ense set single-season records last (387). - Named to Jim Thorpe Award and seven scores. season for total yards (5,502), yards per play - Led WKU off ense to 458.5 total Watch List. (6.3), yards per game (458.5) and passing yards per game, which is a single- yards per game (261.7). season record.

BGSU NAMES TO WATCH

Dino Babers: Head Coach Matt Johnson: redshirt junior Travis Greene: redshirt D.J. Lynch: redshirt Gabe Martin: redshirt - 19-7 career record as quarterback junior running back senior linebacker senior linebacker head coach. - Threw for 3,467 yards and 25 - All-time single-season - Led team with 85 - Played in seven - Led Eastern Illinois to touchdowns while tossing seven rushing leader in BGSU tackles last season, games in 2013, re- 48.2 points per game last picks last season. history with 1,594 yards eight coming for cording 36 tackles. season, which led the FCS. - Named to Manning Award last season. Added 13 loss. - Named to All-MAC - EIU quarterback re- Watch List. touchdowns. - Named to 2nd team team despite missing corded 8,873 yards pass- - Recorded nine games of All-MAC. fi nal six games of the ing and 84 touchdowns 100+ yards. season. in two seasons under Babers.Wkuherald.com/sports AUGUST 29, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM PAGE 9 PAGE 10 AUGUST 29, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM AUGUST 29, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM PAGE 11

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 McNeal was sidelined for the year, and humbled for much longer. “Football is not always promised,” McNeal said. “With my injury, it lets me know that herald sports it can be taken away.” McNeal returned in style in 2012 and hasn’t looked back. He’s led the Hilltoppers in touchdown receptions in each of the past two seasons. McNeal embraces his accomplishments on the fi eld and makes plays for his family in honor of what he’s gone through to get to this point, but the bigger honor comes off staff Predictions the fi eld. “It wasn’t a fantasy life,” McNeal said on his upbringing. “I didn’t get everything I Kyle Williams, sports editor: wanted, so I never asked for anything. I think that’s what gives me the grind now. I’m There’s a lot of uncertainty heading into tonight’s game, mature enough to know I have to get an education. I graduated last semester and now but one thing’s for sure — it’s bound to be a shootout. Both I start my master’s this fall.” off enses averaged more than 30 points per game in 2013, The name “Uncle Willie” is a common calling in the WKU locker room these days. McNeal is one of the oldest players on the team, having been at the university since so it’s likely to come down to which team wins the defensive 2009. chess match. But the Hilltoppers and the Falcons both led It’s a name he’s earned among the youth of the team not only as the elder statesman their respective conference in total defense last season, mak- of the group, but as a sign of respect for what he can teach them. ing this pick even harder. Coaching continuity is the diff er- “It’s funny, coming in as a freshman, we used to pick on older guys,” McNeal said. “I ence for me. Head Coach Jeff Brohm brings back six of nine used to call him old man and stuff like that. Now I’m the old man. So we have the little assistant coaches from last year’s team while BGSU returns thing in the locker room where everybody calls me Uncle Willie.” only one. WKU 35, BGSU 31 “I like the jokes and stuff like that and the fact that guys respect me as the older guy.” Obee remembers coaching a freshman who had never had the luxury of a stable Elliott Pratt, sports columnist: household. Now when he sees McNeal, he sees a man who has grown up before his The fi rst game of the year is always a game of unknowns. Will eyes. the Hilltoppers carry over momentum from last season’s end “He wasn’t always doing everything perfectly,” Obee said. “Sometimes he would have a with Brohm at the helm? Can the defense keep up with the hiccup here and there, but Willie has matured big time since he’s been here. He’s taken ad- Falcons? I think WKU’s off ense comes out on fi re, but I think vantage of every opportunity. He’s doing well in school and he’s on top of it. He knows how replacing last year’s talent on defense is going to take a few to take care of business now. From where he came from, that’s a huge change.” games to settle in. It’ll be an off ensive showcase that comes down to the wire. It’s a toss up for me. WKU 27, BGSU 24

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 WKU will be without the services of Luis Polanco, Sean Conway and Ed Hazelett off the offensive line this season, but it will be an experienced group nonetheless with redshirt senior Cameron Clemmons and redshirt sophomore Forrest Lamp. The duo started each game last season at left and right guard, respectively. An unfamiliar face on the offense this season is fi rst-year offensive coordinator Ty- son Helton. Helton, who spent last season as Cincinnati’s tight ends/special teams coach, said that since the offense has potential, it’s important for the team not to get ahead of itself and force miscues. “Here’s what you have to do – you take care of the football,” Helton said. “You let the game take its natural process. If we get up early, that’s great, but it’s a four-quarter game. We talk about it all the time. Offense, take care of the ball, manage the offense, your plays will come and when your number is called, make your plays.” Following an 18-day fall camp schedule and three game-week practices, Brohm and the Hilltoppers are fi nally prepared to put their experienced offense to the test. “Our guys, even though they’ve worked hard, they have to go out and perform game day,” Brohm said. “They have to execute the calls that are being called. They have to play extremely hard, they have to play fast, they have to play with great instincts, they have to play tough, they have to be able to put the pressure on when we have momen- tum and when the other team gets it, they have to be able to fi nd a way to get tougher and stop that momentum.” PAGE 12 AUGUST 29, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM

JEFF BROWN/HERALD WKU football takes its team photo inside Smith Stadium during Hilltopper media day on Aug. 2, 2014.