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Published Apr 11, 2023
WKU's offense talks progress after second scrimmage
Drew Toennies  •  InsideHilltopperSports
Staff Writer
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@drew_toennies

Western Kentucky was back in action at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on Tuesday afternoon to continue the spring practice schedule.

After the Hilltoppers' second scrimmage of the spring, WKU special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Andy LaRussa, tight end River Helms and kicker Cory Munson sat down with InsideHilltopperSports.com to go in-depth on the offense's progression.

While there's always room for improvement, LaRussa said that he feels like the Hilltoppers are moving in the right direction, adding that he's excited about where this current group of guys are headed offensively.

"There's always work to do but I feel like we are progressing in the right direction. Lots of young guys that are working through some things and we're doing good. I'm excited about where the group is headed right now."
Andy LaRussa

LaRussa revealed that two scrimmages in, the Hilltoppers' offense has been looking really good.

A few things LaRussa has liked seeing from his guys during scrimmages is their speed, tempo and the fact that the roster has bought into what the coaching staff is looking to accomplish next season.

"Two scrimmages right now. It's been really good. I think our guys are playing fast, good tempo, which is really good for our success. The guys are all buying in to what we're doing. We're just tweaking things and making adjustments like you do in the offseason."
Andy LaRussa

Helms, one of the Hilltoppers' returning offensive talents from last season, said he's working on getting stronger in his lower legs, driving off the ball and getting his hands right. He added that he's looking to improve every aspect of the game for a tight end.

"The biggest thing in my lower half is getting stronger in my lower legs, just driving off the ball, getting my hands right. Really all a tight end can do."
River Helms

After the team's second scrimmage, Helms went in-depth on the areas where the tight end room needs to practice more and improve as the spring practice schedule continues.

"I'd say a big part of it is in the redzone for our tight ends. Third down, redzone, blocking and just getting better every day."
River Helms

Munson, who is one of the frontrunners for the Hilltoppers' kicking room competition, said that with Brayden Narveson gone and some new faces within the kicking room, there's still a lot of uncertainty on who will grab the kicker job next season.

He added that with Narveson gone and the addition of School of Davidson (N.C.) 2022 kicker Lucas Carneiro to the Hilltoppers' roster, the official decision may not be made until fall camp.

"We had Brayden leave us, so we got Lucas and a couple more younger guys. Lucas has really been money this past spring, so we'll see how fall camp goes. That might be the deciding point there."
Cory Munson

Western Kentucky will return to Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on Thursday to continue the spring practice schedule.

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