IHS Top 5: October 23 - 29
Howdy and welcome to our first installment of Inside Hilltopper Sports Top 5. Each week, some of our staff will submit their "top 5" of the week: whether it be an athlete with a standout performance, a big team win, a game changing play, a coach, or the Hilltoppers making national headlines. This will be a fun way of celebrating the Hilltoppers' success while recapping the week in WKU Sports.
Without further ado, we would like to present "IHS Top 5" for October 23 - 29...
Hannah Page
1. Bowl eligible for the 6th straight season
After demolishing Florida Atlantic 52-3, the Hilltoppers became bowl eligible for the 6th straight season. What is even more impressive is the Tops have accomplished consecutive eligibility with 3 different head coaches: Willie Taggart (2011, 2012*), Bobby Petrino (2013), and Jeff Brohm (2014**, 2015**, 2016).
*denotes bowl appearance
**denotes bowl win
2. Mike White
As I have said before, White has humbly climbed the national ranks while proving to Hilltopper Nation that he is their man. He is reliable, consistent, has a strong arm, and poised within the pocket. In 3 quarters against FAU, White put up 307 yards and 3 touchdowns for a quarterback rating of 93.6. Just think, we get him again next year!
3. #21 WKU Volleyball
With a win over UAB on Sunday, Travis Hudson and the WKU Volleyball team are now 11-0 in conference, 24-2 overall, and won their 15th consecutive match. Just another win and another day for this dominate team...nay...this dynasty. WKU Volleyball stands atop the conference and now ranks #21 in the nation.
4. Lady Topper Soccer
The Lady Tops concluded one of their strongest regular season campaigns going 7-3 in conference (3rd) and 12-6 overall. In addition, the Lady Tops clinched a spot in the C-USA Tournament as a #3 seed (highest seed since joining C-USA) and will play Charlotte on Wednesday, November 2.
5. Marquez Trigg
With Ace Wales out for the first half of the FAU game, many - myself included - questioned how well the running corps would perform without their RB1. Despite a slow start, Trigg - a redshirt freshman - picked up the pace in the second quarter and accumulated 98 yards with 30 yards being his longest run. Trigg proved that he is a reliable backup with good ball security and able to break through a defensive line.
Shane Bearden
1. Bowl Eligible for the 6th straight season
I still remember the 26 game losing streak when WKU was transitioning to FBS. I told a lot of people then that WKU was building for the future. I honestly never in my wildest imaginations thought the Tops would be this consistent year in and year out so quickly. Good coaching hires have helped keep the momentum strong.
2. #21 WKU Volleyball
Coach Hudson and the Lady Tops have built a dynasty here in Bowling Green. Currently in the midst of another dominant season winning 15 matches in a row and sitting at a 24-2 overall record and a perfect 11-0 in C-USA play.
3. Mike White and WKU QB's
All 3 Hilltopper QB's threw a TD pass in the teams 52-3 victory over Florida Atlantic. Mike White had another solid game in less then 3 quarters played. The transfer from South Florida is filling up the stat sheets. While he isn't putting up Doughty numbers. He doesn't really need to. He is still in the top 15 in FBS in numerous statistical categories.
4. Lady Topper Soccer
Lady Tops finished a successful winning season on Saturday heading into conference tournament play with a 3rd place finish in the regular season. The Lady Tops finished 12-6 overall with a 7-3 mark in conference play.
5. WKU defensive unit
The Tops defensive unit held FAU to just 3 points in the game. With those 3 points coming off a fumbled punt return that was recovered by the Owls and started their possession in the red zone. WKU held FAU to just 202 yards of total offense and only 77 yards through the air.
Sean Williams
1. Bowl eligible for 6th straight season
To me, it's big news anytime the Western Kentucky football program eclipses another milestone and after disposing of Florida Atlantic on Saturday they accomplished another check mark under program success. Next up, possible back-to-back conference championships and three straight bowl wins.
2. Nicholas Norris
The senior wide receiver continues to dazzle this season and on Saturday accounted for 7 catches, 131 yards, and one touchdown. Norris hauled in a 76 yard touchdown strike from quarterback Mike White to start his day off and continued his dominance throughout.
3. Lady Topper Soccer
A successful regular season wrapped up on Friday and despite the 1-0 loss to Old Dominion, the Lady Toppers ended with a 12-6 overall and a 7-3 mark in C-USA play. Their conference mark was good for a third place finish in the regular season, behind North Texas (8-1) and Rice (8-2). Next stop is the C-USA Tournament in Charlotte, good luck ladies.
4. Volleyball ranked #21
It's become the norm to see Western Kentucky ranked in the top 25 in Volleyball during the last few years in the Travis Hudson era. The Lady Tops have put forth another dominant season currently on a 15 match winning streak and setting with a 24-2 overall record and a perfect 11-0 in C-USA play.
5. Mike White
The South Florida transfer currently ranks 9th nationally with 23 passing touchdowns, 5th with 2,783 passing yards, 7th in efficiency rating (176), 13th in passing yards per game with 309.2, 10th in yards per completion at 14.42, and has a completion percentage of 68.9% on the season. Need I say more, dude is for real.
It was a great week in WKU Sports. We will see you again next week!
Go Tops!
