Western Kentucky University versus Kentucky Preview

When: 9-1-2011, 9:15 PM EST
Where: Nashville, TN

TV: ESPNU

                                    UK                   WKU

2010 Record               6-7                   2-10

Ended Season            Lost Bowl        Regular Season

Points Scored             31.2                 22.8

Points Allowed            28.4                 33.2

Total Offense PG       427.8               318.2

Pass YPG                   269.3               143.5

Pass TD                      28                    11

Pass INT                     9                      6

Rush YPG                   158.5               174.7

Yards Per Rush          4.6                   4.2

Penalty Yards             45.9                 46.3

3rd Down %                44%                 39%

4th Down %                59%                 55%

Sacks                         21                    12

FG                              12-18               8-17

Red Zone Scores        80%                 81%

Red Zone TD             69%                 67%

UK:

Key Losses:

1.     Derrick Locke, RB: 887 yards rushing with 10 TDs, 34 receptions for 318 yards, 15 kickoff returns for 26.3 yard average. Signed free agent NFL contract (Eagles).

2.     Randall Cobb, WR: 424 yards rushing with 5 TDs, 5-10 passing for 58 yards and 3 TDs, 84 catches for 1017 yards and 7 TDs, 28 punt returns for 7.8 yards average and 1 TD, 31 kickoff returns for 23.7 yard average. 2008 All-SEC Freshman Team. 2009 and 2010 All-SEC First Team. 2010 All-American First Team. 2^nd round NFL draft pick (Packers).

3.     Mike Hartline, QB: 3178 yards passing with 23 TDs. Signed free agent NFL contract (Colts).

4.     Chris Matthews, WR: 61 catches for 925 yards and 7 TDs. Signed free agent NFL contract (Browns).

2011 Depth Chart: (all depth charts are based on current info given by schools)

QB:

#12 Morgan Newton, 6-4, 235, Jr-2L 100-178-3, 971 yards, 6 TD in 2 years

#11 Maxwell Smith, 6-4, 220, Fr-HS grayshirt enrolled in January

FB:

#37 Cody Jones, 5-11, 208, So-Tr

#36 Andrew Joseph, 5-10, 232, So-Sq

TB:

#4 Raymond Sanders, 5-8, 205, So-1L rush 68 for 254, 3 TD; rec. 16 for 114

#25 Jonathan George, 5-10, 209, So-1L rush 9 for 25 yards

LT:

#66 Chandler Burden, 6-4, 313, Sr-3L Played well in ‘10, first season as OL

#76 Teven Eatmon-Nared, 6-7, 332, Fr-RS

LG:

#70 Stuart Hines, 6-4, 295, Sr-3L two-year starter; 3rd-tm. All-SEC ‘09

#79 Kevin Mitchell, 6-6, 296, So-1L

C:

#69 Matt Smith, 6-4, 303, Jr-2L played well in first season as starter

#56 Sam Simpson, 6-4, 292, So-Sq

RG:

#67 Larry Warford, 6-3, 336, Jr-2L second-team All-SEC last season

#63 Jake Lanefski, 6-4, 283, Sr-3L started four games in 2008

RT:

#52 Billy Joe Murphy, 6-6, 308, Sr-3L has started nine games in career

#74 Trevino Woods, 6-5, 281, Jr-1L

TE:

#86 Jordan Aumiller, 6-4, 231, So-1L 18 for 193, 1 TD; SEC All-Freshman

#89 Tyler Robinson, 6-3, 252, So-1L 11 receptions for 80 yards, one TD

WR:

#16 La’Rod King, 6-4, 194, Jr-2L 36 receptions for 478 yards, 5 TD

#19 E.J. Fields, 6-1, 196, Jr-1L

WR:

#3 Matt Roark, 6-5, 214, Sr-3L 12 receptions for 170 yards

#13 Gene McCaskill, 6-0, 206, Jr-2L inj. 2010, return Aug.; 32 career rec.

WR:

#87 Brian Adams, 6-4, 221, So-1L three receptions for 23 yards

#35 William Tanner, 6-0, 188, Fr-RS

K:

#93 Craig McIntosh, 6-0, 193, Jr-2L 11 of 15 FG, 34 of 35 PAT

#88 Joe Mansour, 6-2, 188, So-1L led SEC in kickoff touchbacks

DE:

#96 Collins Ukwu, 6-5, 258, Jr-2L 26 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PBU

#45 Antwane Glenn, 6-3, 274, Sr-1L 5 tackles

DT:

#68 *Luke McDermott, 6-1, 264, Sr-1L 17 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 int.

#98 *Mark Crawford, 6-1, 338, Sr-2L 24 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks

*note: McDermott and Crawford each started five games at DT in 2010

DT:

#99 Donte Rumph, 6-3, 308, So-1L 12 tackles. 1 fumble recovery

#51 Tristian Johnson, 6-1, 275, So-1L 1 PBU; missed spring, returns August

DE:

#94 Taylor Wyndham, 6-4, 246, Jr-2L 27 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 PBU

#95 Patrick Ligon, 6-4, 253, So-Sq 1 fumble recovery

SLB:

#48 Ridge Wilson, 6-3, 243, Jr-2L 30 tackles, 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 int.

#90 Justin Henderson, 6-3, 234, Fr-RS

MLB:

#46 Ronnie Sneed, 6-2, 241, Sr-3L 61 tackles, 5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 PBU

#40 Avery Williamson, 6-1, 229, So-1L 10 tackles, 1 PBU

WLB:

#22 Danny Trevathan, 6-1, 232, Sr-3L 144 tackles, 16 TFL, 3 sacks, 4 FC

#54 Malcolm McDuffen, 6-3, 217, Fr-RS

CB:

#14 Anthony Mosley, 6-0, 178, Sr-2L 34 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 int., 5 PBU, 1 FR

#35 Cartier Rice, 5-10, 184, Jr-2L 9 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU

CB:

#24 Randall Burden, 6-0, 171, Sr-3L 36 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 int., 6 PBU

#1 Jerrell Priester, 5-9, 172, So-1L 4 tackles, 2 TFL

SS:

#41 Mychal Bailey, 6-0, 194, Sr-1L 58 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 int., 2 PBU

#15 Martavius Neloms, 6-1, 186, Jr-2L 55 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 PBU

FS:

#21 Winston Guy, 6-1, 216, Sr-3L 106 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 int., 2 PBU

#6 Taiedo Smith, 6-0, 187, Sr-3L 5 tackles; OK now after injuries in ‘10

#33 Josh Gibbs, 5-10, 186, Sr-1L 10 tackles

P:

#9 Ryan Tydlacka, 6-1, 190, Sr-3L 43.8 average in 2010

#88 Joe Mansour, 6-2, 188, So-1L

LS:

#57 Jon Thomas, 5-11, 237, Sr-Sq

(Returning Starters in BOLD)

WKU:

Key Losses:

1.     Thomas Majors, MLB: 105 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble. 2010 2^nd team All-Sun Belt defense. Signed with the CFL (Calgary).

2.     Orlando Misaalefua, LB: 61 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles.

3.     Chris Bullard, LB: 50 tackles, 3 TFL.

Depth Chart:

LT:
#77 Wes Jeffries 6-4 298 Sr. Bowling Green, Ky.
#52 Cameron Clemmons 6-6 280 R-Fr. Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

LG:
#69 Luke Stansfield 6-4 305 Jr. Franklin, Tenn.
#63 Luis Polanco 6-2 286 So. Tampa, Fla.

C:
#65 Sean Conway 6-3 297 So. Nashville, Tenn.
#67 Cody Widelski 6-2 284 Sr. Mayfield, Ky.

RG:
#76 Adam Smith 6-5 334 Jr. Murfreesboro, Tenn.
#78 William Berner 6-3 282 R-Fr. Miami, Fla.

RT:
#75 Seth White 6-5 287 Jr. Nashville, Tenn.
#60 Ed Hazelett 6-8 308 So. Indianapolis, Ind.

QB:
#6 Kawaun Jakes 6-3 190 Jr. St. Augustine, Fla.
#12 Brandon Doughty 6-3 205 R-Fr. Davie, Fla.

RB:
#3 Bobby Rainey 5-8 205 Sr. Griffin, Ga.
#34 Keshawn, Simpson 6-0 235 So. Lexington, Ky.

FB:
#32 Kadeem Jones 5-11 267 So. Dundee, Fla.
#42 Nick Baisch 5-11 254 So. Louisville, Ky.

X-WR:
#9 Marcus Vasquez 6-1 187 Jr. Chula Vista, Calif.
#30 Joel German 6-0 185 R-Fr. Fort Myers, Fla.

Z-WR:
#47 Neil Wilson 6-2 201 So. Tompkinsville, Ky.
#81 Jamarielle Brown 6-1 175 So. Paducah, Ky.
ZE-WR
#4 Rico Brown 5-11 185 R-Fr. Berea, Ky.
#87 Andrew Pettijohn 5-8 172 So. Newburgh, Ind..

TE:
#82 Jack Doyle 6-6 244 Jr. Indianapolis, Ind.
#88 Ryan Wallace 6-4 247 Jr. Bowling Green, Ky.

DE:
#5 Jared Clendenin 6-3 270 Sr. Stone Mountain, Ga.
#45 Cole Tischer 6-4 239 Jr. Brentwood, Tenn.

NT:
#43 Jamarcus Allen 5-11 271 Jr. Orlando, Fla. (out for UK game—suspension)
#92 James Hervey 6-1 272 Jr. Tyrone, Ga.

DT:
#96 Rammell Lewis 6-2 290 Jr. Grayson, Ga.
#95 Kenny Martin 6-0 283 Jr. Orlando, Fla.

DE:
#90 Bo Adebayo 6-4 267 Sr. Lawrenceville, Ga.
#93 Quanterus Smith 6-5 246 Jr. Loganville, Ga.

SLB:
#52 Tyler Julian 6-0 225 Jr. Evansville, Ind.
#13 Xavius Boyd 6-2 210 So. St. Petersburg, Fla.

MLB:
#12 Tye Golden 6-2 226 Jr. Lithonia, Ga.
#58 Mike Federspiel 6-3 223 So. Lexington, Ky.

WLB:
#50 Ben Duvall 6-3 229 Sr. Owensboro, Ky.
#40 Bar’ee Boyd 6-1 224 So. St. Petersburg, Fla.

CB:
#21 Arius Wright 5-10 192 So. Duluth, Ga.
#2 Derrius Brooks 5-10 185 Sr. Fortson, Ga.

SS:
#29 Kiante Young 5-11 221 So. Gainesville, Ga.
#38 Ricardo Singh 5-11 190 R-Fr. Auburndale, Fla.

FS:
#46 Kareem Peterson 5-11 182 Jr. Lewisburg, Tenn.
#15 Ryan Beard 6-0 193 Sr. Bowling Green, Ky.

CB:
#22 Tyree Robinson 5-10 198 So. Dundee, Fla.
#24 William Simmons 5-8 183 Jr. Louisville, Ky.

K:
#83 Casey Tinius 6-0 188 Sr. Bowling Green, Ky.
#99 Hendrix Brakefi eld 6-4 223 So. Nashville, Tenn.

P:
#99 Hendrix Brakefield 6-4 223 So. Nashville, Tenn.
#96 Kevin Carrillo 6-0 176 So. Louisville, Ky.

LS:
#39 Joey Dunphy 6-0 181 So. Winchester, Tenn.
#88 Ryan Wallace 6-5 247 Jr. Bowling Green, Ky.

(Returning Starters in BOLD)

Position Matchups:

·         Quarterbacks: Kentucky gets the check mark in this position even though WKU returns its starter from 2010 and UK lost its 2010 starter to graduation. Morgan Newton has seen the field some in his time at UK but never could take the starting job from former QB Mike Hartline. Kawaun Jakes will be a 3 year starter at quarterback with just under 3200 yards passing in his first 2 years as starter. The WKU passing game was dreadful in 2010 allowing UK to get the nod in this matchup. Kentucky

·         Running Backs: WKU gets the nod for this position due to having one of the top returning running backs in the nation in Bobby Rainey. Rainey ran for 1649 yards and 15 TDs including 184 yards and 2 TDs versus UK in 2010. The returning starter for the Wildcats (Derrick Locke) was lost to graduation and the leading returning rusher had only 254 yards in 2010. WKU

·         Receivers: Kentucky gets the nod yet again in this category even with losing the top two pass catchers of 2010 (Cobb and Matthews). The Wildcats have back the 3^rd leading receiver in La’Rod King as well as All-SEC Freshman Team TE Jordan Aumillerwho combined for over 50 catches and 6 TDs in 2010. WKU has a lot of young talent at the WR position although they lost 2010 3^rd leading receiver Willie McNeal to an ACL tear in the spring. Running back Bobby Rainey and tight end Jack Doyle are key contributors to the passing attack and are both on the watch list for their positional awards in 2011. UK

·         Offensive Line: This may be the biggest check mark of them all for UK. The offensive line returns 4 starters to an offensive that paved the way to 427.8 yards per game and propelled UK to yet another bowl berth. 4.6 yards per rush and fewer than 50 yards of penalties per game mean that the offensive line was powerful without holding in 2010. WKU has a young offensive line (only one senior) intact that got contributions from every projected starter in 2010. Some started and others got more and more 1^st team reps as the season progressed and all had a hand in the 1600+ yards that Rainey had rushing in 2010. UK

·         Defensive Line: This may be a bold choice but this positional battle is a push. UK returns 2 starters to a defensive line that was solid but unspectacular in 2010. The line was unable to get to the quarterback in any regular manner resulting in over 28 points being scored per game versus the wildcat defense. WKU did not fare any better than UK on the defensive line front but have a young defensive line that could show massive improvement in 2011 due to a full year under the current coaching staff as well as an influx of talent including a 350 pound DT that could give UK linemen fits. Push

·         Linebackers: UK holds this position pretty easily due to their talent at the position as well as WKU’s loss of all three starters at the Linebacker position from 2010’s squad. UK returns 2 of their 3 starters including WLB Danny Trevathan who had 144 tackles and MLB Ronnie Snead who had 61 tackles in 2010. The WKU offensive line will have a difficult time stopping Trevathan and Snead from making the majority of the tackles for the Wildcat defense. WKU has to replace 2 year starter Thomas Majors in the middle who moved on to the CFL after his years on the hill. There is a multitude of players getting a shot at all the LB positions and after a growing process, this position should end up being a position of strength as the season moves on. They are just not ready to compete with the UK linebacker corps quite yet. UK

·         Secondary: UK wins this position due to their star free safety Winston Guy who had over 100 tackles and 3 INTs in 2010. All positions in the secondary have players who have started at one point or another in their Wildcat careers giving UK experienced depth as well as a starting group that needs to show it can carry the load and stop offenses from passing as well in 2011. WKU changed up everything in the defensive backfield 2 games after the UK game in 2010. The coaching staff gave 3 freshmen and a sophomore playing time and went young all over and it worked. The defense improved dramatically once the young players were given range over the defensive backfield. While not quite at the level of the UK secondary, the WKU secondary is improving rapidly and will not be the same one that was shredded in 2010. UK

·         Special Teams: UK lost returner extraordinaire Randall Cobb to the NFL after his junior season. The Wildcats must have someone new step up and return the punts and kicks due to the loss of Cobb as well as the loss of rb/kr Locke who shared the responsibilities in 2010. WKU had a very impressive returner in Willie McNeal who was named freshman All-American at the KR spot after the 2010 season. Sadly, he was lost in the spring and the jobs at both KR and PR are completely open going into the fall. The punting and placekicking of UK is light years ahead of WKU at this point and isn’t even worth discussing until WKU can show the ability to make FGs in the 2011 season. UK

·         Overall: UK lost a lot of big pieces to an offense that scored a lot of points and was impressive for the most part in 2010. With the losses of Locke, Cobb, Hartline, and Matthews on that offense, the senior led offensive line will be the key to success for the Wildcats in 2011. Look for the Wildcats to focus more on the running game than in 2010 and really try to pound their opponents into submission. On defense there must be some players that step up in 2011 and take some of the pressure off of the Trevathan, Snead, Guy combo that almost combined for more tackles than the rest of the returning starting defense combined. WKU must prove on offense that it is more than just the Bobby Rainey show. Rainey cannot be forced into 340 carries again in 2011 or the likelihood of a winning season and the first bowl game in school history will be long gone. The offensive line is setting big goals for the 2011 season and wanting to get Rainey 200 yards but the passing game must keep defenses honest unlike in the 2010 season. Defensively, the linebackers must be ready to contribute from game one and gel quickly. The secondary should be the area of strength but must get a stronger pass rush in order to give them the chance to make plays instead of contain plays as was the case in 2010. This defense has the opportunity to be a dynamic part of the WKU team but again must get that pass rush running to have a chance. Overall, this WKU squad is a much better and stronger team than the 2010 team that lost 63-28 in Lexington. The talent level has shrunk somewhat and WKU has the chance to show UK that the future is bright in Bowling Green and they better watch out as this team matures to upperclassmen. The Wildcats are still just too strong for the Hilltoppers this year and should win by 14-21 points with it being a 7-10 point game at the half and the depth of the Wildcats taking over and expanding the lead as the second half progresses.

Prediction: Kentucky wins it 42-27.