For each week of Western Kentucky's 2019 football season, Tyler Mansfield of InsideHilltopperSports.com will connect with a beat writer who covers the opposing team for a Q&A session.
For Week 3, Tyler chats with Mark Ennis, who covers Louisville for CardinalSports.com on the Rivals/Yahoo! Sports network.
WKU (1-1) bounced back from a season-opening loss to FCS program Central Arkansas with a 20-14 Conference USA road win at Florida International last Saturday.
Louisville (1-1) lost at home to Notre Dame in its season opener but responded with a 42-0 win over Eastern Kentucky last week.
Kickoff time is slated for 3 p.m. at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Tyler: After battling with Notre Dame in Week 1 and rolling past Eastern Kentucky last week, how confident do you feel this Louisville team is coming into this week against Western Kentucky? Is it clear that new coach Scott Satterfield has already shifted the overall culture at UofL?
Mark: I feel more confident about the game coming into this weekend than I did coming into the season. Coming into the season I thought it was one that Louisville needed to win if they were going to possibly sneak into a bowl game. Now, I think it's one they should win. I haven't raised expectations too terribly far because I think other aspects of Louisville's schedule look more difficult than I anticipated coming into the season.
As for the change in culture, in as much as it can be shown in two games, yeah, the culture change seems evident. But not just in the obvious ways where guys look happier or more energetic on the sidelines. I think it shows in subtle ways on the field. A year ago, this was a team of 85 independent contractors. Now, Louisville played 33 guys on defense against Eastern Kentucky and holding the shutout was as meaningful to walk-ons like Ramon Puryear as it was to starters who only played two dozen snaps. It's areas like that where I think the culture change also shows it is taking root.
Tyler: Who are some of UofL's impact players entering Week 3? Anyone you expect to standout against WKU?
Mark: The backfield pair of Hassan Hall and Javian Hawkins have been Louisville's most consistent weapons so far. Through two games, Hawkins carried the ball 30 times for 245 yards while Hall has added 26 carries for 127 yards. They're both smaller, quicker backs but both have shown the ability to beat the first tackler as well.
The passing game has struggled to move the ball down the field, but, Marshon Ford has proven to be a nice security blanket for Jawon Pass at tight end. The most dangerous weapon on the team, however, is the slot receiver and do it all guy Tutu Atwell. Louisville moves him around and gets him the ball on handoffs, option pitches, screens, deep throws, and he returns punts. He's without question the most dangerous offensive player with the ball in his hands.
If you're looking for guys to stand out against WKU this weekend, they'll probably come from that list. But also keep an eye on the other side of the ball and Russ Yeast. He's a physical safety who can cover. The Louisville defense has shown big improvement, but they still aren't forcing turnovers. Satterfield and defensive coordinator Bryan Brown's defenses pick off passes and Steven Duncan throws them (4 in 2 games). Look for Yeast and the Louisville secondary to get its hands on one.
Tyler: Being an in-state rivalry game at an NFL stadium, how important do you feel this game is in all aspects? What would it mean for UofL to leave Nashville with a win?
Mark: I think it matters. Satterfield said at his Monday press conference he's pressing the matter on his players that they're playing an in-state team with something to prove. And you know he knows what it's like to be the in-state team with something to prove from his years at App State in North Carolina. Prior to last year, WKU was the second best program in the state over the last 4 or 5 years, so I don't think anyone on the Louisville side is taking this matchup lightly and they'll be focused. Louisville hasn't recovered tot the place that it can be dissatisfied with any win.
