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11-8-2014

UA12/2/1 Topper Extra

WKU Student Affairs

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Recommended Citation WKU Student Affairs, "UA12/2/1 Topper Extra" (2014). WKU Archives Records. Paper 6401. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlsc_ua_records/6401

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]. BRANDON CARTER/HERALD Topper extra NOV. 8, 2014 > WKUHERALD.COM > COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

WKU, utep Journey of a defense learns depth charts pro topper from mistakes page 2 page 4 page 6 PAGE 2 NOVEMBER 8, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM UTEP WKU Depth charts NOVEMBER 8, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM PAGE 3 Athletics HAll of Fame Inductees

Chris Price, football Dan King, basketball Darnell Mee, basketball Lee Murray football, baseball, assistant football coach Price, a three-time All-American pick King was a key player on three WKU Mee earned All-American honors A two-sport standout on the Hill in on the off ensive line, was on every- NIT teams. A talented 6-foot-5-inch for- in 1993. He fi nished his three-year the early 1960s, Murray was an end in one’s fi rst team as a senior in ’02 when ward, King scored 886 points in those career on the Hill with 1,253 points, football and was the fi rst athlete in Hill- he played a key role in the run to the three seasons, averaging 10.1 ppg for his ranking him 18th on the all-time topper gridiron history to be named NCAA I-AA National Championship. career. He averaged 10.7 points and 8.3 leaders list. As a senior, he became the team’s “Most Valuable Player” two He was a fi rst-team all-conference se- rebounds as a sophomore on his 26-5 the 10th Hilltopper to score 600 straight years. An outfi elder, he was lection three straight years. The four team. As a junior, he tallied 414 points, points in a season. Mee led WKU in WKU’s only player on the OVC’s fi rst teams he played on went 37-14, win- averaging a career-best 13.8 points, steals all three years and still holds All-Conference Team in 1962. Murray ning two conference titles. The Hill- and 8.9 rebounds for that 25-6 squad. WKU records for steals in a game (9, returned to WKU as an assistant coach topper off ensive units he played for King was also a stellar performer on the twice), season (100) and career (259). in 1969 and spent nine seasons with ranked among the top 10 in the nation diamond, leading the Hilltoppers to an His three teams were a collective 61- some of the fi nest WKU teams, includ- in rush off ense all four of his varsity overall record of 42-17-1 and two OVC 31. He was drafted in the 2nd round ing NCAA D-II national runner-up teams seasons. championships (’52 and ’53). by the Golden State Warriors in 1993. in 1973 (12-1-0) and 1975 (11-2-0). Conference USA FOOTBAll standings PAGE 4 NOVEMBER 8, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM

IAN MAULE/HERALD FILE

From topper to titan Antonio Andrews’ rise from the Hill BY ELLIOTT PRATT

itting in a hotel room on the eighth fl oor of the Mil- tion of high-profi le athletes. of winning two state championships as a . lennium Maxwell House in Nashville are two rook- That guy from Western Kentucky wouldn’t have it any He was invited to Nashville to appear on former Titans Sies in the . other way to begin his professional football career. coach Jeff Fisher’s weekly television show for the recog- It’s the beginning of August; the start of the dreaded, nition of his honors. yet anticipated training camp in the heat of the signa- Antonio is a homebody. In his mind, he wanted to be Playing in the NFL was a dream and the opportunity to ture humid summer with the . a Titan during the entire process. He understood the na- play for one of 32 teams would fulfi ll it. The opportunity One of them is a heralded running back out of Wash- ture of the business, but wearing two-toned blue was all to play in the NFL for the team just one hour down the ington. He’s the fi rst running back taken by Tennes- he envisioned. road made the dream worth fulfi lling. see in the 2014 NFL Draft in the second round, Bishop Tennessee is home. The Titans are Sharon Andrews’ Opportunity knocked on May 10, the fi nal day of the Sankey. favorite NFL team. She smiles at the thought of Doogie NFL Draft. Some experts and analysts predicted An- The other man isn’t familiar to Sankey and vice versa. playing for the home team. Doogie is what Olan and drews to go in the later rounds; some had him follow- Regionally, everyone knows his name, his accomplish- Sharon Andrews began calling Antonio when he was just ing the same free agency route as the last WKU running ments. 3 years old. back to enter the league, Bobby Rainey. To Sankey, he’s the laid back, chill guy from Western Olan knew his two sons, Olan Jr. and Antonio, were “I think he just wanted to get a shot,” Olan said. “That’s Kentucky. special when they began playing little league sports in what all the kids dream about is having that chance. He Antonio Andrews has heard that a lot since leaving Enterprise, Alabama. Doogie had that spark and intel- wanted to get drafted, but mostly he wanted to play.” WKU. Who is this guy from Western Kentucky? This guy ligence that exceed the other kids at a young age. The The Andrews held a draft party at the Holiday Inn in is one of the nation's leading rushers? People had heard Andrews’ picked up and moved to Fort Campbell when Enterprise awaiting that fulfi llment. Round by round, the name, heard his stats, his story. But not many had Olan was stationed there while Doogie was in the fi fth individuals not named Antonio Andrews were selected seen ESPN3 webcasts of WKU football games. Maybe grade. off the board. once or twice the network would drop his name and his He went on to excel at Fort Campbell High School, Round six came, no phone call. Round seven came, no school, but it always was underwhelmed by the atten- winning Kentucky's 2009 Mr. Football honor, on top phone call. NOVEMBER 8, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM PAGE 5

“I was mad, but I had to be adrenaline,” Andrews said in the ing has only existed for a year. there to support him and was locker room after the game. “I His son, Tayte. like, ‘it’s okay,’” Sharon said. didn’t play as much as I wanted Antonio made the one-hour “But I know it hurt him. I read a to, but you know how that goes. trip from Nashville to Bowling lot of blogs on the internet so I Can’t hang your hat on it too Green every day during training thought if he didn’t make it here, much other than there’s many camp and continues to make the he might make it later on.” other preseason games.” trek every Monday and Tuesday. His parents weren’t with him The following week in New “You can tell (Tayte) is his name- when his agent called. The Ti- Orleans against the Saints, it got sake,” Nick Baisch said. “He wants tans were the fi rst of many teams worse with just three carries for to give everything and every oppor- seeking to pick Andrews up as a -1 yard. tunity to his son. I’ll never forget his free agent. But good things come to those face when he told me about Tayte. It “He called me and asked, ‘Do who wait. was pure joy on his face. No record, you like Texas or Tennessee?’,” In a trip to Atlanta, Andrews fi - no touchdown, no anything, I’ve Sharon said. “I said of course nally broke out of his shell with never seen that smile on his face.” Tennessee. And that’s when they 56 yards on three carries, includ- It was just a few weeks ago when said they were going to sign him ing a 47-yard run with less than a Baisch spoke with Andrews over as a free agent. I went crazy.” minute remaining. the phone on his routine trip to A study by the NFL Players “I was happy to see that,” Head Bowling Green. He had just gotten Association shows that of the Coach said the a call from the Buffalo Bills to join 100,000 high school seniors who following day. “It was nice to see COURTESY OF THE TENNESSEE TITANS their active roster and was to be play football every year, only him break off that long one and Tennessee Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings at LP Field on Aug. 28, 2014 in on a plane heading to New York 215 make an NFL roster — only then get tackled. I wish he had Nashville, Tennessee. Photos by Donn Jones Photography. several hours later. 0.002 percent. been able to take it to the house. He was on the way to say good- (laughing) I’m just kidding on can take it away,” Sharon said. tice squad. bye to Tayte. Andrews joined the Tennessee Antonio. It was good to see that. “I think that plays a big part for The Titans prepare for the Then, Tennessee made the Titans as one of six running backs He’s had a nice camp for us. He’s him. If he gets cut, there’ll be an regular season opener as he sits counter offer to promote him to on the roster heading into train- gotten better and it was good to opportunity somewhere.” at his new locker with a name- the active roster. ing camp. When the team’s depth see him get a chance last night.” Fighting for a roster spot, An- plate on the way. During the “You always have to choose the chart was announced during the tonio didn’t disappoint. preseason, he held a temporary home team,” Andrews told Nash- preseason, he was listed as fi fth Olan and Sharon Andrews are Against the Minnesota Vikings locker space in the middle of ville media the day he was acti- on the list. His chances of staying relaxing on a couch at The Icon on Aug. 28, Andrews rushed for the room alongside other free vated. “I’m right here next to ev- with the team were slim. in the Gulch in downtown Nash- 76 yards on 12 carries, making agents. Now, he has space and erything. I’m here close to my son, “We noticed his athletic talent ville. This is where Antonio lives his case for a continued oppor- identity to call home. too. It’s a dream come true, stay- and his football skills and we real- for the time being. tunity in Nashville. “It’s crazy, the fi rst day I was in ing right here in Nashville, staying ly wanted to see what kind of foot- He won’t stay here long if Ten- This is the one I’ve been wait- here seeing so many guys and close to home so it’s a good feeling ball intelligence he had,” running nessee decides to release him ing for,” Andrews said. “I’ve tak- rookies doing all those man- to keep those colors on.” backs coach Sylvester Croom said following the fi nal preseason en advantage of all my opportu- datory meetings and looking Andrews has yet to play a down during the early stages of training game due to the team’s obliga- nities given. What God gave me around the locker room and in an offi cial regular season game. camp. “We researched his char- tion to cut its roster down to 53. can’t no man take from me. I left there’s just a handful of us left, That could change with the Titans acter and thought he was a solid They hope they can return to it all on the fi eld. Whatever hap- even though I’m on the prac- leaning toward other options with individual and felt like he had a this same place soon to visit their pens, happens.” tice squad,” Andrews said. “Just a struggling 2-6 record halfway chance to compete and make son at home. Two months prior, Andrews was cut from the Ten- to be one of the one’s that stuck through the season. our team. He runs hard and he’s Olan was relocated to Fort Irwin nessee Titans less than 24 hours around feels good.” Andrews’ story remains unfi n- picked up the offense pretty well. in California. They’ve fl own back later. The franchise wanted to ished because it’s just begun. The Now it’s just a chance — and it home to fi nally see their son play keep him on the practice squad At this point of a story, the read- not-for-long mantra of the NFL will happen — for him to show us for the Titans in person because so no other team could pick him er expects a proper conclusion. could still hold true for the former what he can do in these next pre- it may be the last time. up, but they could do nothing if But that doesn’t happen when WKU great. But he has the oppor- season games.” They’re sitting with the Baisch another team wished to put him the subject is still writing his own tunity and he has his son. It’s Week One of the NFL pre- family in the fi rst row of section on its 53-man active roster. script. There’s not a selfi sh goal for That’s all he wants. season. The bottom fell out of 137 of LP Field. Larry and Karen Now came the waiting game fame in the NFL for Antonio An- “His dream was to play in the the Nashville sky over LP Field Baisch and the Andrews family for the phone call from his drews. For him, success isn’t de- NFL,” Baisch said. “He’s getting on Aug. 9 when the Titans hosted became inseparable when Anto- agent, whether it was from an- fi ned by records, or touchdowns, NFL paychecks and he hasn’t the Green Bay Packers. It rained nio and Nick Baisch joined the other team or from the Titans to or how much money he cashes in played a down in a regular season the entire game, and Andrews WKU football team in their fresh- remain on their practice squad. from the league. game. But he’s a family guy. He only carried the ball twice in his man seasons. To this day, they He waited — no phone calls. Antonio has always stayed An- has personal dreams, and he has fi rst ever game in an NFL jersey. hardly miss a game together. Finally the call came to stay tonio. family dreams. I can’t tell you if he “There were a lot of mixed “We have told our kids that home. Tennessee got its wish by Through all the work of his life feels like he’s made it or not, but emotions going on — a lot of what God gives you, nobody keeping Andrews on the prac- playing a game, his biggest bless- everyone is proud of him.” PAGE 6 NOVEMBER 8, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM

COLUMN Depleted WKU defense no stranger to adversity BY KYLE WILLIAMS [email protected] Adversity is something that the WKU defense knows all too well. Statistically, the Hilltoppers’ defensive unit ranks second- to-last in total defense at 544.1 yards allowed per game, just 9.5 yards per game fewer than the NCAA’s worst mark. But that’s on paper. If you look at the product on the fi eld, you’ll see a gritty, tough-nosed bunch that knows nothing different than to work hard – because they have to. The Hilltoppers have been hit with the injury bug consistently since fall camp, especially last week. The unit was without its senior leader, defensive back Cam Thomas. It showed as WKU gave up 59 points and allowed 507 yards. Following practice on Wednes- day, defensive coordinator Nick Holt stressed the importance of constant improvement with a next-man-up philosophy. “We’ve had a lot of adversity as far as guys injured starting fall camp. DeVante Thomas and some other guys right from the get-go. Unfortunately, that’s part of football is injuries. You have to make due with what you have. MIKE CLARK/HERALD Like we tell them, the next guy has got to battle up and rise up. Senior tight end Mitchell Henry (80) blocks during practice on Oct. 4. The Hilltoppers welcome UTEP for their Homecoming matchup on Saturday. …We just have to keep on get- ting better,” Holt said. paid dividends for opposing next team.” game. fense is used to, it’s adversity. One method the Hilltoppers teams aren’t impossible That next team is UTEP. UTEP is also coming off a 35- “Our kids are resilient,” Holt have utilized this season is the to fi x. The Miners will be wel- 14 win over Southern Miss that said. “They come back every day 24-hour rule. On Sunday the “Everything that we’ve comed to Smith Stadi- yielded fi ve forced turnovers, – starting on Sunday, a day after entire team watches fi lm and been doing in the games um for the Hilltoppers’ which increased its turnover ra- the game with our meetings and identifi es the mistakes made. that’s really affecting us – Homecoming matchup tio to +9 on the season — best in some of our weight workouts. Then following the 24-hour pe- we can correct it,” Ward at 3 p.m. Saturday. the conference and 10th-best in They do a good job of fi ghting riod after the week’s game, the said. “We can move on The Miners fi eld the the country. through adversity and seeing the team forgets about the result week after week. We just league’s second-best A strong rushing attack, a for- light and the end of the tunnel and focuses on correcting its roll over what we need rushing offense at 207.8 midable pass defense and a unit and taking the good and the bad miscues. to learn and let the bad Kyle Williams yards per game while that forces turnovers is a recipe and learning from it. …There’s Sophomore safety Marcus things get out of our coming in at fourth in for success against the Hilltop- four more games left and we can Ward said the errors that have mind and just move on to the pass defense at 208.4 yards per pers, but if it’s one thing this de- fi nish out here strong.” NOVEMBER 8, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM PAGE 7

SIDELINES Five questions to be answered against UTEP BY ELLIOTT PRATT fense into a loop. How does an offense Will the defense make a game- is actually doing a better job of stopping [email protected] that ranks seventh nationally in yards 3 changing play? the run despite giving up more points. per game (522) respond after getting WKU shut LA Tech running back Ken- shut down? We all know WKU isn’t going to win neth Dixon down to just 77 yards and How will WKU’s offense a game because of a solid defensive 129 total. But UTEP’s best feature is its 1 respond? showing. But at times, the defense has run game, averaging 208 ypg. Will WKU continue to spread the shown up when they needed to. Cue in Everybody has one of those days. 2 ball in the run game? a Wonderful Terry pick-six against Navy Can WKU win a Homecoming game? Last week, WKU’s offense had that and another from Juwan Gardner ver- day at the offi ce where you just sit Spreading the wealth works well one 5 The answer to that question sus Old Dominion. The challenge with at the computerp and play solitaire week. Then the next week, WKU’s of- UTEP is the Miners are ranked 10th na- from the past two seasons isn’t good. all dayday (not sure people fense does just fi ne with giving junior tionally in turnover margin, so making In 2012, WKU lost 43-42 in overtime eveneve play solitaire running back Leon Allen the bulk of that big play is going to be much harder. to Louisiana-Monroe, and last year anymore).an They the carries. It’s hard to look at the LA But that may be what WKU will need to against Troy, they dropped a 32-26 hadh a season low Tech game and take any answers to win it. decision. The implications this Sat- ini points (10) this question from the poor offensive urday are much bigger than previous anda yards (297) showing. UTEP enters Saturday hold- homecoming games. WKU needs to in their worst ing opponents to 182.8 yards per game Can WKU’s defense stop the run? win three of its next four games just to conferenceco loss in on average having held Southern Mis- 4 At least one thing is getting better reach bowl eligibility. The Hilltoppers schoolsch history. Head sissippi to 93 rushing yards. Through with this WKU defense: stopping the have three-straight home games that CoachCoach cred- eight games, Allen is averaging 20 at- run. While the defense has progres- are winnable. If they want any chance ited an aggressive press coverage tempts per game, while sophomore sively allowed more points each with of playing during the holidays, they’ll and explosive blitz schemes from Anthony Wales is averaging seven car- 42 to UAB, 45 to FAU, 51 to Old Do- want to start with winning Homecom- Louisiana Tech that threw WKU’s of- ries per contest. minion and 59 to LA Tech, the defense ing on Saturday. PAGE 8 NOVEMBER 8, 2014 • TOPPER EXTRA • WKUHERALD.COM