Before each Ohio State game, Eleven Warriors catches up with a media member who covers the opposing team to get his or her perspective on the Buckeyes' upcoming opponent.
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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 |
Ohio State is preparing for its final tune-up game on Saturday against Western Kentucky before it heads to South Bend next week for a nationally ranked contest with Notre Dame.
Before the Buckeyes can worry about Sam Hartman and The Fighting Irish, though, they'll need to handle a dynamic passing attack from the Hilltoppers led by quarterback Austin Reed. To help break down the challenge WKU presents, we're joined by Jeff Nations from the Bowling Green (Ky.) Daily News, who breaks down Reed's success, the return of the Hilltoppers' top receiver, other top players to watch and the mindset of the defense heading into Saturday.
Western Kentucky has been prolific in the passing game so far this season and last year with Austin Reed, who led the country with 4,746 passing yards last year. What are the things Reed really excels at as a quarterback, and how do you think he'll fare against a defense like Ohio State?
Nations: Austin Reed is a real transfer portal success story, a tough-as-nails dude who slipped through the cracks out of high school in Florida where he started just one year after backing up an eventual D1 signee. He went to FCS-level Southern Illinois and redshirted, then a coaching staff change prompted him to transfer close to home at D2 West Florida -- he won a national championship his first year there, then had another strong season before taking a shot at D1. It was a great decision; he won the starting job over former West Virginia starting QB Jarrett Doege in fall camp in 2022 and picked up where Bailey Zappe (who similarly moved up as a transfer from FCS Houston Baptist) left off with his own record-setting season. Reed has plenty of arm strength, but really excels in making quick decisions and has a lightning-fast release out of the pocket. He's quick enough to buy time when the pocket collapses and is a tough runner when he decides to tuck and go.
The Hilltoppers are expected to get a lift when Malachi Corley, the team's top receiver from a year ago, returns to the field this week. How can he elevate WKU's offense even further?
Nations: Malachi Corley is in the same mold as Austin Reed, a chip-on-the-shoulder guy who got all of one D1 offer (WKU) out of high school. Like Reed, he's developed into a legitimate NFL draft prospect with a unique combination of talent and toughness. He led the nation in yards after the catch last season and can operate anywhere on the field. I think Corley could have played last week against Houston Christian after suffering a bruised chest in the opener against South Florida — head coach Tyson Helton said as much — but it was an opportunity for him to heal up and be ready to face the Buckeyes. With fellow wideouts Michael Mathison — the second leading receiver off last year's team, who hasn't played yet this season — and Dalvin Smith (leg injury last week against HCU) possibly not available, Corley will be that much more important to the Tops.
Besides Corley and Reed, who are some other players from Western Kentucky worth paying attention to?
Nations: WKU has a nice mix of talent on both sides of the ball. The offensive line is a veteran group, all at least part-time starters last year. They've given Reed plenty of time in the pocket through two games. Running back Markese Stepp is a punishing big back who played at both USC and Nebraska, while fellow back Davion Ervin-Poindexter started some games at Indiana. Reed isn't afraid to throw to anyone on the field and 13 players have at least one catch already, with Easton Messer and newcomer Blue Smith — who started out at Ohio State and spent the past few seasons at Cincinnati — developing as favored targets. On defense, linebacker JaQues Evans is the CUSA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and is a real disruptor. Cornerback Upton Stout has been excellent, and the Tops have plenty of experience in the secondary.
Defensively, it seems like things are still a bit of a work in progress with WKU. What stands out the most about the Hilltoppers' defensive unit, good or bad?
Nations: WKU defensive coordinator Tyson Summers has been something of a riverboat gambler during his two-year tenure, and by and large it has paid off. Summers' unit led the nation in takeaways (37) and touchdowns scored (6) last year, and already has six takeaways and two touchdowns this season. Western Kentucky wants to force the action, either with a takeaway or a three-and-out, and get the ball back to the offense. Sometimes that pressure results in big plays — explosives, as Helton calls them — but that's a tradeoff that has been in WKU's favor more often than not. Opposing offenses have had success in moving the ball against WKU via the pass and run, but the Tops have done a fairly good job at point prevention. Other than a long opening drive by South Florida when the Bulls basically came out in a modified option and one busted coverage that resulted in a long TD pass, WKU outscored South Florida 34-7 to close out that win. Houston Christian hit on a few run plays and put up 22 points, but that came after the Tops built a 31-0 lead. Linebacker JaQues Evans is the heart of the defense, a game-changer with a knack for forcing turnovers. Upton Stout has been rock-solid at corner. The Tops' defensive line is largely new this season and has held up fairly well so far, but will be tested by the Buckeyes' big front five.
WKU coach Tyson Helton has delivered winning seasons in three of his four years at the helm of the Hilltoppers. How have you seen him grow as a coach and what are the expectations for the program this season considering the firepower WKU has for the Group of Five level?
Nations: Tyson Helton righted the ship at WKU after it went slightly astray following Jeff Brohm's departure for Purdue. Helton had served on Brohm's staff and came back after WKU had slipped to a 3-9 season. Helton got that turned around in a hurry, as WKU went 9-4 in his first season, including a convincing win at Arkansas and a bowl victory. WKU has been a bowl regular under Helton, going 3-1 in those matchups during his four seasons as head coach. Helton is an offensive-minded head coach who has been successful in finding talented up-and-coming offensive coordinators who have helped make the Hilltoppers one of the nation's most productive units — the last two seasons in particular, with former OC Zach Kittley (now at Texas Tech) and Ben Arbuckle (now at Washington State). So far it has been more of the same with new OC Drew Hollingshead, who came over from Mississippi State after learning the Air Raid principles under the late Mike Leach. Helton was one of the first to really embrace the NCAA transfer portal, pulling talent from both power five and lower-level ranks into the program. The Tops have lost talent via the portal as well, but Helton's personable nature and that fun offense has convinced players who could have transferred to higher-profile programs, like Reed and Corley, to stay put.
How do you see this contest playing out on Saturday and give us a score prediction if you've got one.
Nations: I think WKU can move the ball against Ohio State, but will absolutely have to finish drives with touchdowns and not field goals. The Tops' defense is likely going to be feast-or-famine, with the potential to create turnovers and offer up a short field for Reed and company -- or get burned on pressure if the Buckeyes maintain their cool on offense. It will be interesting to see how WKU's defensive front holds up against Ohio State; South Florida was a big group, but that offense is still coming together under first-year head coach Alex Golesh.
Ohio State 38, WKU 21
