One final tune-up remains.
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WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS |
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2-0 ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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4 P.M. – SATURDAY, SEPT. 16 OHIO STADIUM COLUMBUS, OHIO |
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FOX FOX SPORTS |
With a top-10 showdown on the road looming against Notre Dame in Week 4, the Buckeyes get what should be one final chance to iron out any kinks – offensively and defensively – before the true tests of their season begin.
Ohio State’s opponent for Week 3 is Western Kentucky, a program with a good bit of success at the mid-major level but not one that should challenge the Buckeyes for a win, though it will present a real test for Ohio State’s passing defense.
A look at five things to know about the Hilltoppers:
Prolific Passing Offense
Western Kentucky had the second-most passing yards per game in all of college football last year. Moreover, its quarterback Austin Reed led the entire country with 4,746 yards through the air.
Reed returns in 2023 and all signs are pointing toward another strong aerial assault from the Hilltoppers this season. Reed tossed for a combined 589 yards across the team’s first two games, with six touchdowns and zero interceptions. Malachi Corley, the team’s top receiver a season ago with 101 receptions, 1,295 yards and 11 touchdowns, will return this week from an injury he suffered Week 1. Corley had four catches for 55 yards prior to leaving that contest against South Florida.
That said, it’s been a by-committee approach out wide for Western Kentucky in both 2022 and 2023. Four pass catchers had 600 yards or more for the Hilltoppers last year and six are currently over 50 yards this year, with Easton Messer leading the charge at 11 receptions for 134 yards.
For an Ohio State pass defense locked in on improving its aptitude at preventing big plays, the Hilltoppers should provide a good early-season test.
Helton’s History of Winning
Since taking over in Bowling Green, Kentucky, head coach Tyson Helton has posted a winning record in three of four seasons leading into 2023.
The Hilltoppers finished 9-5 a season ago and picked up a win in the New Orleans Bowl over South Alabama. The season prior was arguably Helton’s most successful, rebounding from a 1-4 mark to close the campaign with seven consecutive wins and earn a spot in the Conference USA Championship Game. WKU fell there to UTSA by a thin 49-41 scoreline, but bounced back to win the Boca Raton Bowl over Appalachian State in 59-38 fashion.
Helton’s career record with Western Kentucky stands at 34-17 overall, a .667 winning percentage.
Dominant Start to Season
With all their returning offensive talent, it’s no surprise that the Hilltoppers have started the year out with a pair of three-score victories.
Western Kentucky first welcomed South Florida Sept. 2 and cruised to a 41-24 win over the Bulls. Reed turned in 336 passing yards and his team responded to a 17-7 second-quarter deficit with a 34-7 beatdown the rest of the way.
A second home game followed and proved even less contested, as the Hilltoppers jumped out to a 31-0 lead against FCS Houston Christian and rode that momentum to a 52-22 victory.
After taking on the Buckeyes, Western Kentucky will travel to Troy before opening conference play. The expectation is that the squad will be in the thick of the Conference USA title race.
Winning the Turnover Battle
One of the keys to victory across both of Western Kentucky’s wins has been ball security on offense and collecting takeaways on defense.
The Hilltoppers lead all of college football with a +6 turnover margin through two weeks, tied with Liberty and Arkansas. They’ve intercepted three passes and forced three fumbles, each of which they recovered.
What’s more is that Western Kentucky’s defense scored a touchdown in each of its games off of one of those takeaways. Linebacker JaQues Evans recorded a scoop-and-score from 27 yards out to seal the team’s win over South Florida, then defensive back Upton Stout grabbed a 53-yard pick-six against Houston Christian.
It’s all compounded by the fact that the Hilltoppers’ offense has yet to turn the ball over itself. WKU is one of nine teams across the country who has yet to give it away.
Middling Defense
For all of Western Kentucky’s success tossing pigskins around gridirons in 2022, its defense performed at a below-average level on the campaign.
While the Hilltoppers were a respectable 44th nationally in points allowed per game, they slotted in at 73rd of 131 teams in total defense. They struggled against the pass in particular, allowing 236.1 passing yards per game, 85th nationally.
Evans headlines the list of positives on that side of the ball for Western Kentucky, recording 106 tackles to lead the team in 2022 with 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, both of which were also team highs. He’s made 11 tackles with one sack thus far in 2023 to go along with his scoop-and-score.
As a team, however, Western Kentucky currently ranks 121st in the FBS with 454 yards allowed per game.
Facing the Hilltoppers’ secondary should provide a chance for OSU quarterback Kyle McCord to continue finding a rhythm, as the rest of Ohio State’s team will hope to do Saturday. Because once the final whistle is blown, it will be Notre Dame week.
