The TopsGun Identity

Western Kentucky made the national spotlight in 2014 when quarterback Brandon Doughty put up 4,830 yards and 51 total touchdowns, which is sixth all-time in the FBS.

Doughty went on to win the Sammy Baugh Trophy and Conference USA’s MVP for his efforts, as his passing yards and passing touchdowns (49) both led the FBS.

Then he did it again.

In 2015, he threw for 48 passing touchdowns and 5,055 yards. Doughty’s 97 passing touchdowns across two seasons was more than any other NCAA quarterback in a two-year span.

In 2021, Bailey Zappe broke the single season passing records for touchdown passes and passing yards, putting up 62 scores and 5,967 yards, respectively.

In 2022, current Hilltopper quarterback Austin Reed led the nation in passing yards with 4,746 passing yards and finished third in the nation with 40 passing touchdowns.

Now? This high-flying, Air Raid TopsGun offense is locked and loaded for an explosive 2023 campaign. Aside from Reed, the offense is loaded with superstars, especially in the receiving corps:

Malachi Corley: Coming off of a season where he garnered 101 catches for 1,295 yards and 11 scores, Corley was able to earn 2022 First Team All-Conference USA honors on top of his current 2023 preseason honors, which include landing on the Reese’s Senior Bowl, Maxwell Award, and Biletnikoff Award Watch List’s, respectively. Corley’s abilities have been compared to current NFL wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and rightfully so - in 2022, he ranked first nationally in yards after catch with 975 yards and first nationally in missed tackles (40). Corley is a huge proponent of the TopsGun identity.

Michael Mathison: Mathison is a returning favorite that should get more attention than he’s received. The senior gathered 52 catches for 615 yards and three scores for the Tops in 2022, while also handling the kickoff return duties (21 kicks, 463 yards). Mathison is most likely the number two receiver this season.

Dalvin Smith: Smith has been a staple in the Toppers offense for several seasons, and he stood out last season with his 35 receptions for 443 yards and four touchdowns. Standing at six-foot-three, Smith has been a redzone staple and will likely play that role in 2023.

Jimmy Holiday: By way of the SEC’s Tennessee, Holiday joins the Hilltoppers receiving corps after previously posting six receptions for 106 yards and a single score in his 2022 campaign with the Volunteers. In his three seasons in Knoxville, Holiday appeared in 33 games for the Vols, including 12 in 2022.

Blue Smith: A redshirt senior, Smith spent his first year of college football at Ohio State in 2018 before spending 2019-2022 at Cincinnati. He appeared in 21 games. In the 2018 recruiting class, Smith was a four-star prospect and the nation’s 39th overall player according to Rivals. He was also included in the ESPN 300. The six-foot-five receiver hauled in five catches for 62 yards in 2022.

Some other names to watch: If it hasn’t been said before, the Hilltoppers receiving corps is deeeeeep. Ze’Vian Capers (transferred from Auburn), Craig Burt Jr, KD Hutchinson, Josh Sterns, and Marvin Sims could each be guys who receive multiple targets this season. I’d expect transitioned quarterback Willie Taggart Jr, who transferred in from Florida Atlantic, to be packaged in.

The receiving corps, albeit incredible, isn’t the only supporting staff on this offense. Between the offensive line, tight ends, and running backs, there is some excitement brewing:

Davion Ervin-Poindexter, Running Back: The Hilltoppers return their leading rusher and receiver out of the backfield in Ervin-Poindexter. In 2022, he put up 525 yards and three scores on the ground on 116 carries, good for 4.5 yards per carry. He also managed to garner 84 yards on 15 receptions. Expect DEP to be the leading back again, this time with a significant increase in receptions.

Quantavious Leslie, Left Guard: The junior returns for his third season on the Hill. In 2022, Leslie started all 14 games, anchoring down the interior in an offensive line that allowed just 14 sacks all season - good for 10th best in all of college football. The 2022 Conference USA honorable mention is set-up for a big season on the Hill.

River Helms and Trevor Borland, Tight Ends: I couldn’t pick one or the other. While I don’t expect tight ends to play a significant part in the receiving portion of this offense, expect them to be relied upon heavily in the run game, play action, and the redzone. In 2022, Helms appeared in 13 games. Helms posted blocking grades of 72.9 in the run game and 67.3 in the passing game, according to Pro Football Focus. Borland, a transfer from Buffalo, caught 18 passes for 146 yards and a score in his four seasons as a Bull. Borland’s 67.4 run blocking grade finished second on the Bulls team, and 69.2 grade was best for fourth.

Wes Dorsey, Right Tackle: A six-foot-seven redshirt junior, Dorsey appeared in 11 games, taking over as the starter at right tackle following an injury. In his six starts at the position, he put up solid performances with a 97.3 efficiency grade from PFF on 427 snaps. Dorsey is a name to watch in the C-USA.

Vincent Murphy, Center: Murphy started all 14 games last season as a right guard, but will now start at center following the transfer of Rusty Staats. In 2022, Murphy played 1,039 downs for the Tops, compiling an excellent 75.7 pass blocking grade from PFF. Murphy didn’t allow a single sack in 2022, and just 14 quarterback pressures. He finished with an astounding 98.9 block efficiency rating.

Elijah Young, Running Back: Transferring in from Missouri, Young spent three seasons in the SEC and Tiger’s program, totaling 333 yards and a single score on 66 carries. His receiving abilities, having totaled 103 yards and a touchdown on 19 receptions, will prove valuable. Young is the veteran boost the room needed.

LT Sanders, Running Back: Sanders is a young player to be excited about. As a true freshman in 2022, Sanders recorded 292 ground yards and a touchdown on 44 carries. The sophomore will only improve in the mix with Ervin-Poindexter and Sanders.

This TopsGun identity is very fitting. Even more so, knowing that Drew Hollinghead is an acolyte of the Mike Leach Air Raid, and that the offense will have some sort of continuity of the concepts that made it so prominent in previous seasons, there’s a lot to be excited for.

With a depth chart locked and loaded with highly productive stars, the Hilltoppers are in for a splashy and successful season.

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