Western Kentucky University

Type of Offense: West Coast. Based on the short passing game and overloading one side of the field making progressions easier for the QB, this offense is based on the establishment of the run game. While the Pro-Style I is predicated on using play action to make favorable matchups in the 15-25 yard zone, the west coast uses more slant and flat patterns to get players into space across the field looking for extended runs after the catch. The QB isn’t expected to throw a lot of fly patterns because a lot of the passing plays are seen as extended run plays using high percentage passes to get the players on the perimeter and let the natural talent take over. With missed tackles, the offense has a chance of many 50+ yard plays throughout the season.

Type of Defense: 4-3.  Fast OLBs with the WLB being stronger in pass coverage and the SLB being stouter versus the run.  MLB is balanced and expected to make most of the tackles, especially versus the run game.  A lot of Cover 2 with the MLB expected to get deep (15 yards) on a pass play.  Corners on an island playing the edges with help over top.  Gap responsibilities on the run game with DL and LB filling gaps and DE normally containing on the edge. 

·        Run/Pass %: 63/37

·        Run/Pass Attempts: 500/295

·        Points Per Game: 22.8

·        Points Allowed Per Game: 33.2

Key Returning Players:

·        Kawaun Jakes, QB: This QB has the chance to be a 3 year starter and prove some doubters wrong with a strong 2011. Had 1600 yards passing in the 2010 season to go along with 200+ yards rushing.

·        Bobby Rainey, RB: Sun Belt offensive player of the year in 2010 along with 1^st team All-Sun Belt honors. 1649 yards rushing and 15 TDs along with 230 yards receiving and 2 TDs in 2010. Ran for 100+ yards in 9 of 12 games often against defenses geared directly for him. Led the nation with 340 carries.

·        Jack Doyle, TE: A tight end with great size and adequate speed that had his season cut short due to neck issues. If he can come back and be the player he was before the injury, a lot of pressure will be taken off the running game and create bigger holes for Rainey.

·        Quanterus Smith, DE: The best player on a DL that needs to improve in order to be successful in 2011. Has more sacks in 2010 than all of the other remaining DL on the roster. Must improve his totals to the 7-8 sack range and the defense will be a success.

·        Ryan Beard, S: Does not have the athleticism of some of the other defensive backs and may not always make the pretty play, he tackles great which is an important quality in any safety. While the other DBs are taking chances in 2011 to make big plays, Beard can clean up and make sure a missed tackle doesn’t turn into a long TD.

Key Incoming Freshmen:

·        Sumler and Morgan, RB: These two 3 star RBs from Florida and Georgia respectively have the chance to give Rainey a chance to take fewer carries than in 2010 and be fresher in the 4^th quarters of games.

·        Brand and Brown, WR: With the WR situation in flux due to the injury to McNeal and no one stepping up yet to take his spot, both of these college-ready WRs could get significant snaps from the time they step foot on campus.

·        Jamicheal Payne, DT: At 6-2 and 335, he brings in a run stuffing tackle that will command double and triple teams which in turn allows the LBs to make big plays in the backfield. The consummate run stuffing DT can also move and has the ability to get in the backfield on a pass rush.

Overall Assessment: After a 0-12 season in 2009, 2-10 didn’t look so bad for WKU. It did leave a bad taste in their mouths though because there were 3 or 4 games that could have swung the other way to wins. Offensively, the passing game must show some sort of life as Rainey cannot take another 340 carries in 2011 without something happening. That is just too much stress to put on one player in the offense. Either incumbent Jakes or R-Fr. Doughty need to step up and take several rushing attempts a game from Rainey. Defensively, the MLB spot taken for 2 years by JUCO transfer Thomas Majors is open for the taking and the ability to find a suitable heir is crucial to WKU’s success in 2010. Most of the defense is set from 2010 and has the chance to be special due to how young and talented they are. The kicking game could use some improvement from last season as Tinius only made 40% of his FG chances. Merrick came in and made both of his chances giving himself a chance to win the job in the spring. The punter returns as well and has a big time leg but lacked consistency. Another year in the books should give him the chance to fix the consistency issues and make him more of a weapon. Overall, any improvement over 2010 would be not only welcome but expected. The feeling for the Hilltoppers is that the second year under Taggert should see marked improvement and if all goes right, an honest shot at 6 wins.