WKU has amazing depth at quarterback this season. Each game we’ve seen displays of what Drew Eckels, Davis Shanley, Steven Duncan and a small bit of Kevaris Thomas bring to the table. Coach Mike Sanford promised at the beginning of the season a more mobile quarterback system than what Topper fans had been used to. This rings true as Steven Duncan picked up where Shanley left off Saturday. Duncan ran for 55 yards on 6 attempts and energized the Topper offense, much the same way Shanley did after Eckels was forced to sit out with injury after the Maine game. The Tops won’t have to worry about quarterback play for a while based off of the amount of talent they have at this position.

The running game is finally starting to come along. Although, quarterback Steven Duncan really broke the running game open against Ball State, the rest of the running backs responded. Joshua Samuel rushed for 91 yards and gave the Tops their first rushing touchdown by a running back since October of last year. While definitely not “Running Back U” as the team used to be referred to in the days of Bobby Rainey and Antonio Andrews, there is a breakthrough happening with this corps of runners.

WKU has been its own worst enemy this season. This team has had the uncanny ability to play to or below the level of its opponent, which until Saturday was the cause for implosion. WKU had no identity of its own. But now I think we are starting to see this team form a personality. Yes, it’s young and in many ways, still a patchwork, but it’s starting to take shape. You have a talented and efficient defense, a speedy and zone-oriented offense and weapons on the ground when utilized properly. So moving forward into conference season, the development of this personality is going to be key and not trying to be like the next team on the schedule.

The first half was ugly for the Tops penalty-wise. The team collected seven penalties for 70 yards, many of which were for stupid mistakes that showed the team’s inexperience. Lucky for the Tops, they cleaned it up the rest of the way and paid attention to what they were doing. Moving forward, that many penalties can sink the ship before it even leaves the dock. So tighten up and leave the mental mistakes in the locker room.

The play calling from Mike Sanford once again bordered on “vanilla” for most of the game. It picked up during the second half as he mixed up some more interesting calls, such as a fake punt on WKU’s own 30-yard line by Rex Henderson, which he ran for a first down. When the play book is opened up, WKU does so much better. Their timing is better and the results show it. Steven Duncan’s quarterback runs to start the second half threw off Ball State’s defense, which had done a pretty good job of containing the Tops in the first half. From there, the Tops were able to establish a better rhythm that allowed them to keep pace with the Cardinals’ offense and snag the win without settling with field goals and three-and-outs. Sanford needs to do this on a more consistent basis in order to keep defenses on their heels and not allow them to settle in.

Mik’quan Deane has the ability to be the next Deon Yelder or Tyler Higbee. Against Ball State, Deane snagged two touchdowns and gained 50+ yards, but only caught 5 passes. Just think how much more fluid the offense could be if they feed the big tight end more. It’s worked in the past. Why not start now? Build his confidence and dominance on the field and give your quarterback another reliable tool in the war chest.