What Was Learned About WKU After Liberty Loss?
Last Tuesday night, the Hilltoppers fell to 4-4 on the season and 2-2 in the Conference USA following a home-loss to Liberty, where the Flames left with a 42-29 victory.
The Flames 42 points was the second-highest amount of points the Hilltoppers allowed on the season, just behind their week three 63-10 loss to Ohio State. Now, the Tops are ranked fourth in the C-USA behind Liberty (6-0), Jacksonville State (5-1) and New Mexico State (4-1).
Here’s what can be learned about the Hilltoppers following the loss:
The Offense Isn’t That Good Anymore: For Hilltoppers fans, this is a very inconvenient truth. The offense isn’t bad, ranked 66th in the nation in its totality, including being ranked 18th in the passing game and 117th in the rushing game. This identity, being good at throwing the ball and not great at running the ball, was expected. What wasn’t expected is how conservative and inconsistent the unit and play calling is. Before Liberty, the Hilltoppers scored just eight points in all of the second-halves combined from the past three games, including zero in the past two. Against Liberty, the Tops posted just 10 points in the first half, zero in the third quarter, and 19 in the fourth. When it’s fast in the first, it dies in the second. When it’s slow in the first, it shows up too late to be meaningful.
Markese Stepp, Elijah Young: These two have stepped up in their elevated roles, especially Young. While Stepp leads the team with 232 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, Young’s carries have amped up. Through the past three games, Young has carried the ball 31 times for 152 yards and a rushing touchdown, as well as five receptions for 62 yards and a single score. It’s likely these two will continue to take the majority of the snaps, but don’t count out Davion Ervin-Poindexter and L.T. Sanders. Through 2023, the pair has combined for 278 yards and a rushing touchdown on top of 140 receiving yards and a receiving score so far.
The Offensive Line: From left to right, the starters are as follows - Mark Goode/Marshall Jackson, Quantavious Leslie, Vincent Murphy, Wesley Horton, and Wes Dorsey/Jackson. As it currently stands, left guard Leslie and center Murphy have been the highest graded pass blockers across the starting five. In the past three weeks, the group has combined for two sacks, four hits, 18 hurries, and 24 pressures. As pass blockers, the unit sits at 75th in the nation, while landing at 86th in run blocking as well.
The Receiving Corps: Aside from Malachi Corley, there have been several reliable targets for Reed that have shown up since the last time the receiving corps as a whole was examined. Easton Messer and Dalvin Smith each have 335 and 234 receiving yards, respectively, with a combined five receiving touchdowns. River Helms is the next in line, as his elevated role has allowed him 14 receptions, 217 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. In terms of receptions, receiver KD Hutchinson and running back Ervin-Poindexter have each climbed the board, with Hutchinson sitting at fourth on the team in catches (17) and Ervin-Poindexter at sixth (13).
Defensively, Who’s Been Him?: Kendrick Simpkins. Across 509 defensive snaps, the safety has totalled 33 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. In coverage, he’s allowed a 42.9% completion rate (six-of-14) for 95 yards, adding a pass breakup, which is good for a 66.1 NFL passer rating allowed.
Who’s Been Him (Part II)?: Anthony Johnson, Jr.. The junior cornerback came to The Hill from West Florida, and has been impactful in big ways in year one. The defender has accumulated 26 tackles, a tackle for loss, two interceptions, and five pass breakups. He’s allowed a 53.8% completion rate (14-of-26) for 183 yards and touchdown. His coverage has been good for an allowed 57.1 NFL passer rating.
Who’s Been Him (Part III)?: JaQues Evans. The preseason Conference-USA Defensive Player of the Year has not disappointed. Across 328 defensive snaps, the EDGE has accumulated a 73.5 Pro Football Focus defensive grade for his efforts. In six games played, Evans has totalled 30 tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. Evans also has 11 hurries and a hit tallied to his name, as well as a team-leading 15 defensive stops.
The Defensive Front: On the defensive line, Jayden Loving, Hosea Wheeler, and Terrion Thompson have been a well-rounded group for the Hilltoppers. Loving has been able to garner 25 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack while recording 11 defensive stops. Wheeler, across 272 snaps, has recorded 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble, as well as nine defensive stops. Thompson, a junior nose tackle, has been able to put together 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and four defensive stops. Keyonte Davis, a six-foot-five, 300 pound interior defender has also been a factor, compiling 17 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks while accruing seven defensive stops.
How Has The Defense Performed In C-USA Play?: The Hilltoppers had a strong defensive game against Middle Tennessee State. Against Louisiana Tech, the defense held the Bulldogs scoreless in the first quarter, then allowed three unanswered touchdowns in the second half. Jacksonville State had high success running the ball, totalled 4.8 yards per carry across 262 yards and two touchdowns. Finally, Liberty was able to hang 42 on the unit, with quarterback Kaidon Salter tossing three touchdowns and the ground game producing four rushers with 50-plus yards, good for 323 yards and three touchdowns on six yards per carry. Needless to say, the run defense is still bad. It’s 127th in the nation. The pass defense is 103rd in the nation, but 63rd in passing efficiency defense (130.30). While the defense has seen improvements, it’s still just not good, sitting at 127th nationally.
The Hilltoppers will take the field again on Saturday, November 4th in El Paso, Texas as they hope to improve their 2-2 C-USA record against UTEP, who sits at 3-6 (2-3 in conference). Kickoff is at 8:00PM and can be streamed on ESPN+.
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