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Home , Brandon Doughty, Jeff Brohm, Mike White (quarterback), Nick Holt, Rick Stockstill, Skip Holtz

August 31, 2016 BIG MAN CAMPUS Lamp heads into senior season as one of nation’s best linemen

Photo by Miranda Pederson/Daily News Inside: 2 Toppers begin post-Doughty era 4 Toppers’ Lamp among top nation’s best 10 UK hopes for breakthrough season 3 WKU defense looks to build on 7 Conference USA enjoys rare season of 11 Louisville ready to challenge divisional successful 2015 campaign stability with same lineup of teams as 2015 rivals in quest for ACC title

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Hilltopper football 2016 CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP White taking reins as new for Toppers

By BRAD STEPHENS [email protected] Western Kentucky has a new man leading its offense. Coach named last week as the Hilltoppers’ starting quarterback for the season opener Thursday against Rice. White, a redshirt junior, is replac- ing a program legend in , who set a collection of school records over the last three seasons as the Tops’ starter. Doughty is now in the NFL with the . White will be the first QB other than Doughty to start a WKU season opener since Kawaun Jakes in 2012. “We’re excited about Mike White,” Brohm said. “I think he’s made tremendous strides throughout spring and the summer and even into fall camp. I think he’s ready to play. White, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., joined the WKU program in the fall of 2015 after transferring from South . He played his first two college seasons with the Bulls under former Hilltopper QB and coach . White started five games as a freshman in 2013 and took over as USF’s full-time starter in 2014. He completed 51.6 percent of his passes with the Bulls for 2,722 yards with 11 against 16 intercep- tions. White was named WKU’s start- ing quarterback after he competed throughout fall camp with graduate senior Tyler Ferguson and redshirt sophomore Drew Eckels. Ferguson and Eckels are listed as White’s backups. “I think they’ve all gotten better,” Brohm said. “I think Tyler Ferguson and Drew Eckels, those guys have performed better each and every week and have stepped up as well and were just slightly right behind (White). Mike White is ready for the challenge.” Bac ToTrong/[email protected] The Hilltoppers return their top Western KentucKy quarterback Mike White has been named the starter for the toppers’ season opener thursday two running backs from last season night against conference usA rival rice at Houchens-smith stadium. in redshirt senior Anthony “Ace” Wales and redshirt sophomore yards and nine touchdowns on 155 WKU’s 2016 rushing game is “We can run you over, we can run D’Andre Ferby. carries. “going to be very tremendous, I can around you, we can do whatever.” Wales was limited to 10 games Ferby, the bigger back of the duo, say that,” Wales said. “We’ve got Returning at are in 2015 because of an early-season went for 650 yards and 11 TDs on some nice monsters back there and injury, but still finished with 1,091 164 rushes. there’s a lot of stuff we can do. See OFFENSE, PAGE 8

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Hilltopper football 2016 BUILDING ON SUCCESS WKU defense working to sustain 2015 season breakthrough

By BRAD STEPHENS [email protected] Western Kentucky’s defense made quite a leap from 2014 to 2015. One of the nation’s worst sta- tistical defenses two years ago improved drastically last fall. The newly effective Hilltopper defense provided the support for quarter- back Brandon Doughty’s offense and helped WKU to a 12-2 record and a Conference USA - ship. Senior safety Marcus Ward said the 2016 defense has “turned the page” from last season, but is hoping to repeat the suc- cess it had. He and his teammates open the season at 7 p.m. Thursday against Rice at Houchens-Smith Stadium. “There are probably some peo- ple that think there’s a little pres- sure there,” said Ward, a defensive captain alongside junior lineback- er T.J. McCollum. “But honestly, we’re ready to make a name for ourselves and make this new 2016 defense something to be reckoned with.” WKU coordinator ’s defense is following a season where it made a huge statistical improvement. The 2014 Hilltoppers allowed 6.66 yards per play, ranking 124th out of 128 FBS teams. That led to ausTin anThony/[email protected] WKU giving up 39.9 points per Western KentucKy linebacker t.J. Mccollum (right) pursues Marshall running back remi Watson on nov. 27 during the Hilltoppers’ 49-28 win at game, which also ranked No. 124 Houchens-smith stadium. Mccollum is one of four returning starters to a WKu defense that was vastly improved last season. in the nation. Last year the Toppers improved backer Nick Holt – the coach’s son “I think that’ll make us an overall loss, in his career at Louisville. mer Army All-American who’s to 5.69 yards per play allowed – and run-stuffer Jontavius Morris better defense.” The Miami native was an Army moved from linebacker to the and ranked No. 4 in the nation at defensive tackle. The defense was bolstered this All-American his senior season at defensive line, where longtime at turnover margin, at +1.0 per The four starters that return are spring thanks to the NCAA’s Miami Norland High School. teammate Brown expects him to game. Combine those two factors Ward and senior Branden Leston graduate transfer rule. Former “He has instant playmaking abil- make a big impact. and WKU gave up 25.9 points at safety, McCollum at lineback- Louisville players Keith Brown ity, instant experience,” the coor- Both Brown and Dawson-Brents per game – an improvement of 14 er and junior defensive end Derik and Nick Dawson-Brents left the dinator Nick Holt said. “... He’s have battled injuries this fall but whole points per contest. Overstreet. Cardinals and transferred to WKU, played a lot of football at the high- practiced last week. “We started to really be a good But the defense’s new starters where they’re both immediately est level. ... “He’s a run-stopper, a pass-- defense late in the year when we saw at least some playing time last eligible this fall for their senior “Everybody respects him. We er,” Brown said of Dawson-Brents. needed it, especially in those last year, which has led to the unit hav- seasons. expect him to have a great senior “He’s a big body out there. He couple of games – the Marshall ing good depth, coach Jeff Brohm Brown, a middle linebacker, year.” takes up a lot of space, will make a and Southern Miss games as well said. takes the spot formerly occupied Dawson-Brents is slated to be lot of plays this year.” as the ,” Holt said. “I “If we can get all of our guys by the younger Nick Holt. He a starting defensive end this fall Senior Omarius Bryant and think we’re building on that.” healthy and to the game, I feel was a 2016 Preseason All-C-USA opposite Overstreet. The 6-3, WKU lost seven starters from good about the possibility of rotat- Second Team selection by Athlon 275-pound Charlotte, N.C., native junior Chris Johnson are project- that defensive unit, including San ing guys in there, keeping them Sports. was a 2016 Preseason All-C-USA ed to start at defensive tackle in Francisco 49ers draft pick Prince fresh, playing at least two-deep The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Brown Fourth Team pick by Athlon. Charles Iworah at cornerback, line- at certain positions,” Brohm said. collected 113 tackles, six for a Dawson-Brents is another for- See DEFENSE, PAGE 9 WHEELER’S

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Hilltopper football 2016 TOPS’ LAMP A SELF-MADE MAN WKU Senior has built himself into one of nation’s top O-linemen

By BRAD STEPHENS up hoops in order to focus on gain- [email protected] ing weight and working out. You wouldn’t know it by looking Lamp had high school coaches at him, but used to with NFL experience, and he said be an average-sized guy. they helped him devise a nutrition- The Venice, Fla., native played al plan focused on adding weight. football and early in his Lamp’s two go-to items were career at Venice High School and peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches weighed about 210 pounds after and Muscle Milk, a protein-heavy, his junior football season. milkshake-like beverage. That’s when Lamp sat down “I was eating literally ever hour- with his football coaches, who told and-a-half – peanut butter-and- him he was good enough to play jelly, snacks all day long, Muscle offensive line in college. He just Milks,” Lamp said. “I kept a stock needed to gain a lot of weight first. in the coaches’ offices and my “I quit playing basketball that teachers were so accommodating. year and gained 50-some pounds “I’d take five minutes … and I’d and got to play college football,” make my sandwich, grab a Muscle Lamp told the Daily News. Milk, run back to class. It was a That’s right. Between process but it worked and I’m so Thanksgiving of 2010 and the fol- thankful God gave me the oppor- lowing May, Lamp put on more tunity.” than 50 pounds and got his weight With the added weight, Lamp up to 265. became a literally bigger college Lamp did it by spending the off- prospect as a senior at Venice HS. season in the weight room and eat- But he still wasn’t getting the looks ing “close to 7,000” calories a day, from the traditional powerhouse he said. schools in his home state. “He started eating about six pea- “He was wanting to possibly nut butter-and-jelly sandwiches a go to a Florida school and they day on top of what he was already weren’t really on him,” Peacock eating and was really committed to said. “Miami recruited him a little putting on that weight,” Venice HS bit but they never offered. football coach John Peacock said. “I kept telling them that he was “He paid the price in the weight going to put on some weight, that room and it all worked out.” he was going to be a heck of a foot- Lamp’s put on some more ball player, and he hasn’t reached weight since then. The Western the size he’s going to get and the Kentucky redshirt senior has also strength he’s going to get.” made a name for himself as one of Willie Taggart, WKU’s coach at the best offensive linemen in col- the time, and Raymond Woodie, lege football. one of his top recruiters, saw the Now 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, potential in Lamp and went after Lamp has seen a slew of preseason him for their Class of 2012. accolades come his way heading But Lamp said his biggest into the Hilltoppers’ 2016 season. recruiter to the Hilltoppers program WKU’s longtime left tackle has was running back Leon Allen, who been named to watch lists for the played for rival Manatee HS in Outland Trophy, Rotary Lombardi nearby Bradenton, Fla. Award and Wuerffel Trophy. He’s Allen and Lamp played together also been picked to repeat as a All- Conference USA First Team per- in a Florida all-star game after the ausTin anThony/[email protected] 2011 high school season. It was former. Western KentucKy offensive tackle Forrest Lamp (left) watches fellow offensive linemen April 12 during practice Lamp’s been a starting offensive then that Lamp said Allen pushed at Houchens-smith stadium. Lamp, WKu’s longtime left tackle, has been named to the watch lists for the Outland him to take a at WKU. lineman on teams that went 8-4 trophy, rotary Lombardi Award and Wuerffel trophy. in 2013, 8-5 in ‘14 and, last sea- Allen “just kind of talked me into son, 12-2 with a Conference USA Stadium against Rice. my teammates. lot better than I am.” it,” Lamp said. “He said, ‘You need championship. “I was never one of those guys “The reason I’m successful and Lamp’s become a football star, to come. It’s an amazing place.’ He Lamp will start at left tackle at 7 to think, ‘Oh, I’m going to be this, they’re successful and the team’s but he said his “first love” was talked me into it at the game. p.m. Thursday when WKU opens I’m going to be that,’ ” Lamp said. successful too is we just rely on basketball. Wanting to be a college its season at Houchens-Smith “I just worked hard and relied on each other. They make me look a football offensive lineman, he gave See LAMP, PAGE 5 GGOO TOPS!TOPS!

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From Page 4 “I’ve come here and done LAMP everything I wanted to do. “I took a visit and coach Taggart and coach Winning’s fun. Losing isn’t. Woodie made me feel right at home. I saw I’ve come here and I’ve won the facilities and never wanted to leave.” games. I’ve made amazing Lamp redshirted his freshman season in 2012. Change hit the program at the end of friends that I’ll have for the that campaign when Taggart left to take the rest of my life and it’s just coaching job at South Florida. “I was young and I was dumb and I didn’t been a blast.” really know what I was doing,” Lamp said. “As soon as coach Taggart left I told Forrest Lamp myself, ‘I’m transferring, I’m getting out of Senior offensive tackle, on his decision here. I came here for coach Taggart and his to play football at WKU staff.’ ” But Lamp chose to stay. Taylor both received draft evaluations from was named the Hilltoppers’ new coach NFL scouts and both decided to return to in December 2012, and he brought on Jeff WKU for their senior seasons. Brohm to be his . Lamp said that when it came to the NFL, Brohm and Petrino plugged Lamp into a playing another year of college football starting spot at right guard to begin his red- would give him another year of exposure shirt freshman season. to scouts. Three games later, they moved him to left Among the Tops’ opponents this year are tackle, where he’s become a mainstay ever No. 1 Alabama and Vanderbilt, which will since. give Lamp two chances to prove himself Lamp was tabbed an All-Sun Belt against defenses Conference Honorable Mention in 2013. this season. Petrino left after that season to take the job at Lamp will also get chances to participate Louisville but this time the program enjoyed in postseason senior showcase events and coaching continuity, as Brohm was elevated better access to the NFL Draft Combine by to the head coaching job. playing his senior season, he said. “It’s all been a blessing,” Lamp said. Pro Football Focus ranked Lamp last week “If coach Petrino didn’t get the job, coach as the No. 4 offensive guard/center prospect Brohm may have never got the job. for the 2017 NFL Draft. “It was all part of God’s plan and it’s “I wanted to come back and perfect my ausTin anThony/[email protected] worked out beautifully for us, obviously – craft and up my stock, hopefully,” Lamp Western KentucKy offensive tackle Forrest Lamp (center) blocks a defensive lineman April bowl wins, conference wins, a conference said. 12 during practice at Houchens-smith stadium. championship.” Brohm said he has high expectations for Lamp graded out as WKU’s best offensive Lamp entering his senior season. Lamp was lineman during the team’s first C-USA sea- voted an offensive captain along with Taylor son of 2014, helping a record-setting Topper and is one of five starting offensive linemen offense to an 8-5 record and a Popeyes coming back for WKU this season. win. The play of that veteran O-line and other Lamp then got national attention for his returning players like Taylor, wide receiver play in 2015, earning a Second Team All- Nicholas Norris and running backs D’Andre American nod from Pro Football Focus with Ferby and Anthony “Ace” Wales will be crit- is a proud supporter of WKU Football! his performance. ical as Mike White takes over as the team’s Lamp didn’t allow a single tackle through- new starting QB. out WKU’s 14-game season. The left tackle “Forrest has proven it every year,” Brohm protected quarterback Brandon Doughty’s said. “He plays at a high level. We can do a GOODGOOD LUCKLUCK TOPS!TOPS! blind side as a redshirt junior, allowing only lot of things with him. … 11 QB pressures and not letting him get hit “He understands the game of football and all year long. comes ready to play, so he’s a leader for us.” Not letting his quarterback take a hit is Six years ago, Lamp was a 210-pound something Lamp said he takes the most dual-sport athlete without major interest pride in at his position. from college football programs. Lamp said Doughty, now in the NFL play- Now he’s one of the best offensive line- ing QB for the Miami Dolphins, will still men in the country, a college star with NFL text him and jokingly give him grief about aspirations. sacks he allowed in 2014 games against “I am completely thankful,” Lamp said. “I Middle Tennessee and Marshall. told someone the other day, they asked me if “You barely remember any of the good I could go back to high school and I had to plays,” Lamp said. “You just remember bad make this decision again what would I do. ones. … I would do it over 100 times. I wouldn’t go “In that Middle Tennessee game we ran anywhere else. 102 plays and that’s the only thing I remem- “I’ve come here and done everything I ber from that whole game is the one sack. wanted to do. Winning’s fun. Losing isn’t. www.renshawauto.com So you always remember your bad ones, but I’ve come here and I’ve won games, I’ve you also remember the wins.” made amazing friends that I’ll have for the After Lamp’s sack-free 2015 campaign, rest of my life and it’s just been a blast.” 3075 Scottsville Rd., Bowling Green, KY 42104 he decided to test the waters for the 2016 – Follow Daily News sports reporter Brad NFL Draft. Stephens on Twitter @BradBGDN or visit 270-843-9041 He and junior wide receiver Taywan bgdailynews.com. GOOD GOOD LUCKLUCK WKU WKU TOPPERSTOPPERS Here’s to a Winning 2016 season from your fans at State Farm Ginger Cleary Insurance Agency, Inc. W We’ree’re readyready for for somesome WKU WKU Football Football

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ConferenCe USa football 2016 STABILITY, FOR ONE SEASON C-USA coaches like where league is at with current alignment

By STEPHEN HAWKINS •Louisiana Tech receiver play-caller the past two sea- ing offensive starters, they AP Sports Writer Trent Taylor. Undersized sons hopes to have the same need to be even better. IRVING, Texas (AP) — at 5-8, he is big catching kind of spread-out, high- •Charlie Partridge, Florida Conference USA goes into a passes: 99 catches for 1,282 scoring offense in his first Atlantic. After consecutive new season with no changes yards last year. head coaching job. 3-9 seasons, the Owls have in its lineup of teams for the •Middle Tennessee quar- •Southern Miss coach Jay 15 returning starters from a first time since 2012. terback . The Hopson. Twice a Golden team that lost four games by The league has the same lefty completed two-thirds Eagles assistant in the past, a or less. 13 teams that competed for of his passes (4,005 yards, Hopson was Alcorn State’s •Brad Lambert, Charlotte. the title last season, includ- 30 TDs, nine ) coach the past four years. There are 19 fifth-year ing defending champion as a freshman starting for his •UTSA coach Frank seniors who came as fresh- Western Kentucky. dad. Wilson. A first-time college men for the program’s incep- There will be at least one coach after six seasons as tion in 2012, a year before change in 2017 with UAB’s NEW FACES LSU’s recruiting coordina- the first game. Could this be tor. the last season as well for return after a two-season •Marshall linebacker hiatus, and who knows what Davon Durant. A top junior Lambert, 10-22 after a 2-10 ON THE HOT SEAT happens if there is another college player who first went FBS debut last year. national shift of teams. The to Arizona State and got dis- •Ron Turner, FIU. The PICKS Big 12, a Power Five con- missed there, Durant could Panthers have gone from ference headquartered just be a key player for a defense one to four to five wins East: Middle Tennessee. around the corner from the that lost seven starters. under Turner. With a quar- West: Southern Miss. C-USA office, is consider- •North Texas coach Seth terback, running back and League champion: ing expansion of its 10-team Littrell. North Carolina’s receiver among nine return- Middle Tennessee. league. Joe imel/[email protected] “We’re not blind to the Western KentucKy wide receiver taywan taylor catches a fact that that’s kind of what pass off of a lea-licker for a touchdown in last season’s 58-28 win has been a hot topic the last over Middle Tennessee State at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Taylor couple of years ... and now it is one of the top returning players in Conference USA this season. looks like it’s going to pick back up,” WKU coach Jeff ing a C-USA game. The record-setting quarterback is Brohm said. “If we take care Hilltoppers return all five back. Fourth-year Louisiana of our business and try to be starting offensive linemen, a Tech coach (13-3 a contender every year in record-setting receiver and a in C-USA games the last two the league, eventually good 1,000-yard rusher, but quar- years) has created the kind things will happen, but we terback Brandon Doughty of depth that could help the like exactly where we’re at was a seventh-round NFL Bulldogs overcome the loss right now.” pick. WKU’s toughest of running back Kenneth Marshall coach Doc league games are on the Dixon (26 total TDs) and Holliday agrees, adding, road, at the other East favor- their quarterback. “I’m not sure any of the ites – Middle Tennessee with other Group of Five is a bet- its father-son coach-quarter- TOP PLAYERS ter league than what we have back combo ( •Southern Miss quarter- right now.” is dean of C-USA coach- back Nick Mullens. After C-USA had 12 teams es in his 11th season) and 4,476 yards passing and 38 from 2005-12, though some Marshall off three consecu- TDs last season, Mullens teams changed during that tive 10-win seasons – and could emerge as a top NFL span. There were 14 teams Louisiana Tech. prospect as a senior. in 2013 with a baker’s dozen West Division: Southern •WKU receiver Taywan in 2014, and again last Miss, the alma mater of Taylor. A nice target for the year when FBS newcomer Hall of Fame quarterback Hilltoppers’ new quarter- Charlotte came in as UAB Brett Favre, was the most- back after 86 catches for temporarily shut down its improved FBS team last 1,467 yards and 17 TDs last program. season, six wins better at 9-5 season. while winning the West and THE FAVORITES •Florida Athletic defen- going to its first bowl game sive end Trey Hendrickson. East Division: With since 2011. Coach Todd The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder, a 5,000-yard passer last Monken left for the NFL C-USA’s sack leader, had season, WKU averaged as offensive coordinator more than one sack in five 50 points without los- in Tampa Bay, but USM’s games. 3 GENERATIONS OF AUCTIONS, REAL ESTATE AND REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS. LEON, JOHN, DAVID & SAM TARTER THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT. E www.tarteronline.com SIGN UP FOR AUCTIONS TEXT, EMAILS ON OUR WEBSIT College Football Preview 18 Wednesday, August 31, 2016 Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky

ausTin anThony/[email protected] Western KentucKy running back Anthony Wales celebrates a touchdown during last season’s 49-28 win over Marshall at Houchens-smith stadium. Wales is back this season after leading WKu in rushing last year with 1,091 yards and nine touchdowns on 155 carries.

side Norris and Taylor at wideout. “We’ll be just fine. We’re hoping to continue omore Dennis Edwards will start at From Page 2 Redshirt junior Kylen Towner, right guard. redshirt sophomore Will Bush and the success of last year and the great thing Returning an entire offensive OFFENSE redshirt freshman Lucky Jackson about the quarterback position is he’ll have line along with several key skill seniors Nicholas Norris and Tay- will also see time at wide receiver. players will make life easier for wan Taylor. That duo combined A big question mark for the receivers that are coming back, he has White as he takes the reins of the to catch 149 passes in 2015 for offense is at tight end, a position running backs that are coming back and he offense, Lamp said. 2,438 yards and 23 touchdowns. that’s become one of WKU’s best has his whole offensive line. So he should fit “We’ll be just fine,” Lamp said. Taylor owns WKU career records in recent years with alums Jack “We’re hoping to continue the suc- for receiving yards (2,504) and Doyle, Mitchell Henry and Tyler in as long as he does his job and knows the cess of last year and the great thing TDs (24). With 155 career catch- Higbee all in the NFL. offense. He should be just fine.” about the quarterback position is es, Taylor is poised to pass former But no tight end on the Tops’ he’ll have receivers that are com- Hilltopper Willie McNeal (171) on current roster has ever caught a Forrest Lamp ing back, he has running backs that pass for WKU. Senior Shaquille are coming back and he has his that list as well. WKU senior left tackle, on new starting QB Mike White “I just feel like I have to keep Johnson is listed as the starter at whole offensive line. going, keep building on top of what that position. Where the Hilltoppers don’t have tackle. He’s bookended by redshirt “So he should fit in as long as he I’ve accomplished and keep set- “I mean, it’s a dream come true questions is along the offensive senior Darrell Williams Jr. at right does his job and knows the offense. ting the bar high for everyone else to finally be getting my chance,” line, where all five starters return tackle. He should be just fine.” behind me,” Taylor said. said Johnson, who’s primarily been from last season. Redshirt senior Max Halpin will – Follow Daily News sports Junior Nacarius Fant, a for- a special teams player his first three Redshirt senior Forrest Lamp, start at center again for WKU. At reporter Brad Stephens on mer Bowling Green High school years in college. “I’m ready to go who’s an offensive captain along left guard will be redshirt junior Twitter @BradBGDN or visit standout, is slated to start along- make things happen.” with Taylor, is the anchor at left Brandon Ray, while redshirt soph- bgdailynews.com. Gooodod LLuckuck TTOPPERS!OPPERS!

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RANGE RENTALS • Unlimited Annual Family Membership • Rental available by the hour or half hour We SHOOT straight Check Check OutOut OurOur GREATGREAT PricesPrices onon prices & AIM RANGE/TARGET AMMO to please! RANGE/TARGET AMMO DON’T H A VE A As well as our FIREARM? HUGE Inventory of Guns, We Rent For The Range! Ammo and Supplies! Come See Us - Open Mon.-Sat. , 9 am-6pm (Closed Sunday) College Football Preview Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky Wednesday, August 31, 2016 91 From Page 3 WESTERN KENTUCKY DEFENSE PROJECTED STARTERS OFFENSE between Dawson-Brents Ht. Wt. Yr. and Overstreet. QUARTERBACK Brown and McCollum, 14 Mike White 6-4 215 r-Jr. WKU’s leading tackler in RUNNING BACK 2015, will be joined at line- 20 Anthony Wales 5-10 195 r-Sr. WIDE RECEIVER backer by redshirt sopho- 1 Nacarius Fant 5-9 185 Jr. more Joel Iyiegbuniwe, a 15 Nicholas Norris 5-9 175 Sr. South Warren High School 2 Taywan Taylor 6-1 195 Sr. product. TIGHT END Joining safeties Leston and 18 Shaquille Johnson 6-4 235 Sr. Ward in the secondary will LEFT TACKLE be redshirt junior De’Andre 76 Forrest Lamp 6-4 300 r-Sr. LEFT GUARD Simmons and junior Joe 51 Brandon Ray 6-2 285 r-Jr. Brown at cornerback. CENTER Reserves that figure to 70 Max Halpin 6-3 295 r-Sr. see plenty of playing time RIGHT GUARD include redshirt junior 64 Dennis Edwards 6-1 305 r-So. Tanner Reeves at defensive RIGHT TACKLE end, senior Drew Davis at 62 Darrell Williams Jr. 6-6 310 r-Sr. linebacker – the Tops’ spe- KICKER 17 Ryan Nuss 5-10 190 r-So. cial teams captain – and –or– junior Leverick Johnson at 88 Skyler Simcox 6-0 175 So. cornerback. DEFENSE Ward said the defense’s DEFENSIVE ENDS depth is “very important” 72 Derik Overstreet 6-2 255 Jr. considering the fast-paced 94 Nick Dawson-Brents 6-3 275 Gr. offenses the Hilltoppers will DEFENSIVE TACKLES 9 Omarius Bryant 6-3 310 Sr. face in C-USA play. 3 Chris Johnson 6-2 290 Jr. ausTin anThony/[email protected] “It’s almost like a soccer OUTSIDE LINEBACKER sOutH FLOridA quarterback (center) is tackled by Western Kentucky defen- game where you’re getting 6 T.J. McCollum 6-3 240 r-Jr. sive lineman Omarius Bryant (right) on dec. 21 during WKu’s 45-35 win in the people in that have fresh MIDDLE LINEBACKER at Marlins Park in Miami. Bryant is projected to start at defensive tackle for the Hilltoppers. bodies so they can run,” 2 Keith Brown 6-1 240 Gr. Ward said. “It’s always good OUTSIDE LINEBACKER to have people that can step 4 Joel Iyiegbuniwe 6-2 225 r-So. CORNERBACKS Proud in and make plays. 23 De’Andre Simmons 5-11 195 r-Jr. “That’s the thing, even if 7 Joe Brown 5-10 195 Jr. you have bodies, you still STRONG SAFETY Supporter of need people that know what 8 Marcus Ward 6-3 210 Sr. they’re doing and how to FREE SAFETY compete and things like that. 31 Branden Leston 6-3 205 r-Sr. WKU We do have that on this team PUNTER and I’m excited to see those 49 Jake Collins 6-1 200 r-So. FOOTBALL guys get in and make plays.” Brohm said a strong start from 2015, it’ll take some defense, we’re ready for the from the WKU defense will pressure off an offense try- challenge. We’ve been going be especially important this ing to gain its footing. hard these past two weeks so year as the Hilltopper offense Brohm has “been telling we’ll be ready.” breaks in a new starting us all year that we really — Follow sports reporter quarterback in Mike White. need to lead this year, that Brad Stephens on Twitter Should the WKU defense we really need to pick it up,” @BradBGDN or visit build on its level of play Iyiegbuniwe said. “... The bgdailynews.com.

Western KentucKy defensive backs Marcus Ward (left) and Joe Brown celebrate Brown’s tackle on Vanderbilt’s two-point conversion attempt during WKu’s 14-12 win last year at Vanderbilt stadium in nashville. Ward is a returning starter at strong safety, and Brown is expected to start at cornerback for WKu this season. Bowling Green, KY

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KentUCKy football 2016 CATS AIM TO SEIZE MOMENT Kentucky hoping to break through with bowl bid under Stoops

By GARY B. GRAVES AP Sports Writer UK Football LEXINGTON (AP) — Two straight years coming up short of a bowl bid Schedule have the eager Sept. 3 to seize the opportunity this season. Reaching the six-win threshold, vs. Southern Miss though, won’t be an easy task after 6:30 p.m. n ESPNU a pair of 5-7 seasons. The schedule is more well-bal- Sept. 10 anced than in the past, and the back- at Florida load of games against highly-regard- 2:30 p.m. n CBS ed opponents may pave the way for that bowl-eligible sixth win. “It gets frustrating, but you can’t Sept. 17 dwell on the past,” Kentucky run- vs. New Mexico St. ning back Stanley “Boom” Williams 3 p.m. n SEC Network+ said. “We made some critical mis- takes (in the past) that cost us, but that’s what we have the offseason Sept. 24 (for), so we can learn from those vs. South Carolina mistakes and can better ourselves TBA n TBA and not make the same mistakes this year.” Kentucky’s offense will look dif- Oct. 1 ferent in many ways. at Alabama Sophomore Drew Barker is now TBA n TBA the quarterback in place of Patrick Towles, who transferred to Boston Oct. 8 College. Calmer has overcome sev- eral off-field incidents early in his vs. Vanderbilt career, and looks to build off a strong TBA n TBA spring that earned the starting job. “I’ve always been kind of a calm Oct. 22 person,” said Barker, who will run a new pro-style offense. “I haven’t vs. Mississippi St. n gotten too up or too down and I’m TBA TBA not really an emotional person. I can see that, but sometimes you have to Oct. 29 kick it up into a different gear. That’s DaviD sTephenson/AP at Missouri something I have been working on KentucKy QuArterBAcK drew Barker hands the ball to running back stanley Williams in 2015 against charlotte in TBA n TBA for sure.” Lexington. With nine returning starters on offense and 15 back overall, the Wildcats believe they have the personnel and With nine returning starters on experience to get it done and are eager to prove it after so many close calls. offense and 15 back overall, the Nov. 5 SEASON OPENER vised game at Florida on Sept. 10 Wildcats believe they have the per- yards last season, including speedy vs. and travels to defending national sonnel and experience to come away team-leader Williams (855 yards, six Kentucky’s Sept. 3 matchup TBA n TBA with a winning season. touchdowns). against Southern Mississippi is champion Alabama on Oct. 1. They even have the facilities in Also back are Jojo Kemp (555, six important for reasons beyond start- Kentucky faces a tough three-game place – a $45 million training center TDs) and Mikel Horton (318, three ing well. With the SEC opener stretch against SEC East foes fea- Nov. 12 that might put some NFL complexes TDs). looming the following week at tures a Nov. 5 home contest against at Tennessee to shame. Florida, the Wildcats need this win Georgia sandwiched between road TBA n TBA “I really believe this team has OVERHAULED STAFF to avoid a possible 0-2 start along games at Missouri (Oct. 29) and divi- with showing they’re headed in the sion favorite Tennessee (Nov. 12). what it takes physically and men- The Wildcats have five new assis- Nov. 19 tally to take us to the next level,” right direction. USM is coming off tants: offensive coordinator Eddie PREDICTION coach Mark Stoops said. “We’re up Gran; co-coordinator and quarter- a bowl appearance and debuts offen- vs. Austin Peay for the challenge.” backs coach Darin Hinshaw; Lamar sive coordinator Shannon Dawson, Despite another rugged schedule, TBA n TBA Here’s what to look for: Thomas (receivers); Matt House who held the same job at Kentucky the Wildcats have enough experi- (special teams) and Steve Clinkscale last season. ence to win their non-conference Nov. 26 DEEP BACKFIELD (defensive backs). Gran, Hinshaw games and get enough division vic- KEY GAMES at Louisville Kentucky returns three running and Clinkscale previously worked tories to earn their first bowl bid TBA n TBA backs who rushed for at least 318 together at Cincinnati. Kentucky plays a nationally-tele- since 2010. – All times Central Good Luck Tops!! G Goodoooodd LLuckLuucckk WWKU WKKUU HilltoppersH Hiillllttooppppeerrss WKU

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loUiSville football 2016 CARDINALS SET BAR HIGH Louisville eager to challenge for ACC Atlantic Division title

By GARY B. GRAVES AP Sports Writer LOUISVILLE — Louisville’s success under coach Bobby Petrino has changed the way players are thinking — from merely competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference to winning championships. A key part of realizing that lofty dream is getting past Atlantic Division heavyweights Clemson and Florida State. Louisville hopes to carry momen- tum from last season’s 8-2 closing stretch into serious pursuit of a divi- sion title in Petrino’s third season. Fueling those expectations is the offensive stability behind mobile sophomore quarterback , an experienced line and an impressive receiver corps. The Cardinals could use some depth on the defensive line around DeAngelo Brown but are solid at linebacker and in the secondary, strengths that might explain their lofty declarations. “I like to set the bar high for us, for me and for the team,” junior cor- nerback Trumaine Washington said. “I know we can do it. I know I can do it. We don’t have any rookies to begin. We got everybody back on offense and defense. I’m just ready to get to the national championship.” After starting 0-3 last year, Petrino just wants to see progress. “We’re still going to have to make TimoThy D. easley/AP sure we do a great job of getting bet- LOuisViLLe cOAcH Bobby Petrino (right) talks with freshman wide receiver seth dawkins as they go through workouts ter as the year goes on,” Petrino said. Aug. 5 at their irst public practice in Louisville. The Cardinals hope to carry momentum from last season’s 8-2 closing Louisville’s immediate priority is stretch and challenge for an Acc Atlantic division title this year. winning the division, which requires ing defensive talent means anything, talents. getting the most out of strong play- 17) and Clemson (away, Oct. 1). they should fill those voids without The Cardinals’ Nov. 17 non-con- ers on both sides of the ball. SEEKING SPECIALISTS Jackson presents a formidable missing a beat. ference showdown at Houston offers dual threat after combining for Said linebacker Devonte’ Fields, One of Louisville’s strongest an intriguing chance for revenge 2,800 offensive yards and 23 touch- “we still have got to fix some com- areas is in transition with the depar- after the Cougars dealt them a rare downs in a breakout freshman sea- munication errors, but everything tures of reliable place kicker John home loss during last year’s 0-3 son. However, Petrino stops short of else, we’ve been pretty solid.” Wallace and dependable punter Josh start. Appleby. Both positions are wide saying that Jackson will have free CENTRAL RECEIVING SEASON OPENER rein in the offense; he drew laughter open, and Petrino is looking at Evan on media day after saying, “he has A young, inexperienced wide O’Hara, Blanton Creque, Anthony Louisville hosts Charlotte on the freedom to do exactly what we receiver corps last season could George for the kicking game. Mason Thursday. The 49ers went 3-9 in their tell him.” prove to be Louisville’s deepest unit. King and Austin Johnson will com- first season in FBS with Conference Brown (40 tackles, two sacks) The Cardinals return their top two pete for the punting job. USA and lost nine of their final 10. is considered a big run-stopper for pass-catchers in James Quick and KEY GAMES Louisville, which must see if juniors Jamari Staples, while former quar- PREDICTION Chris Williams, Drew Bailey, Johnny terback is ready Louisville’s Atlantic Division Louisville has battled Florida State Richardson or Kyle Shortridge will to show his talent and speed as a prospects could be determined by and Clemson but must to find a way spend more time around him. If the full-time receiver. Traveon Samuel early October as it faces conference to beat one or both to think about Cardinals’ recent history of develop- and Ja’Quay Savage are emerging favorites Florida State (home, Sept. claiming the Atlantic division.

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