7/28/2022 football Edit

Media Day: WKU's offense, defense detail fall camp focuses

Drew Toennies • InsideHilltopperSports

Staff Writer

Western Kentucky hosted its football Media Day at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Thursday to preview the start of fall camp and detail expectations entering the team's season opener against Austin Peay in a couple of weeks.

WKU assistant coach, co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle and tight end Joey Beljan detailed their focuses on the offensive end while WKU assistant coach and defensive coordinator Tyson Summers and defensive end Juwuan Jones discussed their expectations for the defense.

Offense

Arbuckle kicked things off for the offense by discussing how things are going to operate with the offense this year. With several crucial components of last year's offense returning to the fold this season, he is focused on preserving the success of last year's squad and ensuring his players can make a difference.

He said the coaching staff have been working tirelessly to put the offense in a position where their players can consistently overwhelm the defense and find the endzone.

"Everybody knows we were really good on offense last year. We got some pieces left and a lot of turnover and stuff, but really excited about the guys we have in here."

— Ben Arbuckle

Arbuckle also talked about some of the most notable developments he's seen so far. In addition to the talented quarterbacks room and wide receiver group, Arbuckle said a big development he's noticed has been in offensive lineman Rusty Staats.

He said that Staats has shown confidence in his abilities as a lineman and believes he's one of the best offensive players on the team. Arbuckle said that a strong offensive line is game-changing and makes the quarterback's job so much easier.

Last year, I wouldn't say he was the premier leader on the team, but he really took that step. He believes he's the best player on the offense and that confidence is what you want more than a leader."

— Ben Arbuckle

Beljan also spoke about his expectations entering fall camp and the season opener against Austin Peay. Beljan said he's made the proper adjustments from last season and with a season under his belt, is ready to get back into the swing of things.

Beljan also said he is getting situated in more of a vocal leadership role this season and also intends on leading by example on the field. He said being able to make plays in practice and get the offense excited is what he plans to do more of in fall camp.

"Last year, I was thrown into a starting role. When you get those opportunities, you can't mess them up and you gotta take it and run with it."

— Joey Beljan

Defense

Summers opened things up for the Hilltoppers' defense, claiming he has been constantly impressed by the culture of the program and was confident in what the team accomplished this past spring. He said he felt like the team exceeded all expectations and he is looking for more of that as fall camp begins.

"Very impressed with the culture here that Coach Helton has created. I thought we were built and built and built throughout the spring to a place where we were a lot farther along than I would have ever believed."

— Tyson Summers

Summers said one of the things his players were focusing on this past spring was building relationships and trust between each other. He said this is something he wants to see more of as fall camp opens up.

Summers said he is incredibly confident that Western Kentucky could quickly become one of the top defensive forces in the country.

"Our players have done a great job with the progression we've had, the installation and being able to have a considerable amount of carry over in some ways. Then, having some new things at the same time."

— Tyson Summers

Jones, who was a big part of last year's defense, talked about what he and his teammates will be working on during fall camp. He said one of the big things the defense will need to continue to work on is being aggressive enough to make plays and making things difficult for the offense.

"You want to be aggressive but not be reckless at the same time. I think that's the epitome of our defense. We always want to wreak havoc and put the offense behind the chains."

— Juwuan Jones

Jones also said that he and his teammates believe in what Summers is trying to accomplish with the Hilltoppers' defense and they will continue to embrace what they're being taught by him and the other defensive coaches. He agreed with Summers about being one of the top defenses, saying that the Hilltoppers' defense could be one of the best in the conference and the country.

Western Kentucky is set to face off against Austin Peay on August 27 at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. CT.

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