Know Your Opponent: Western Kentucky

Written by Evan Orris

Head Coach: Tyson Helton

Overall: 3rd season; 15-12

Bowl Appearances at Cincinnati: 2

2020 Record: 5-7 (4-3 in Conference USA)

Mascot: Big Red

Colors: Red, Black, White and Silver

Outfitter: Nike 

National Titles: 0

Conference Titles: 13

Heisman Winners: 0

2021 Record: 1-1

Last Week: 38-35 Lost to Army

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Bailey Zappe (56-75 passing (74.7%) 859 yards, 10 TDs, 2INTs)

Rushing: Kye Robichaux ( 9 rushes, 44 yards, 4.9 ypc, 0 TDs)

Receiving: Jerreth Sterns (16 receptions, 278 yards, 4 TDS)

Tacklers: DeAngelo Malone (14 tackles, 0 sacks)

Stat of the Week: In 2020, Bailey Zappe led all of college football in yards per game with 458.3 yards.

Hiltoppers’ TALKING POINTS

The New QB in town

Quarterback Bailey Zappe followed offensive coordinator Zach Kittley from Houston Baptist. In Kittley’s offense in 2020, the gunslinger produced 1,833 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just one interception in just four games. He did so against the likes of Texas Tech and Louisiana Tech—who outscored Zappe 101-71 despite the QB throwing for 973 yards, 9 touchdowns, and one interception in the two-game stretch.

This season, Zappe has solidified a position that was shaky, at best, last season. The Hilltoppers started Tyrrell Pigrome most of the season but Kevaris Thomas also received snaps at the position and started one game in place of Pigrome. However, those days are over and Zappe is the leader for the Hilltoppers. In two games, he has thrown for 859 yards, 10 touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Can the defensive front control the line of scrimmage?

Last week, the Hilltoppers defense was torn to shreds by Army’s lethal run-game. The Black Knights use a triple-option to keep defenses guessing. They also rarely throw the ball as they did so just six times against the Hilltoppers for 77 yards. The ground and pound attack led to 339 yards and four rushing touchdowns.

In three games this season, Indiana has rushed the ball an average of 39.3 times per game for about 136 yards. In comparison, they have thrown it an average of 31 times per game. Their leading rusher is Stephen Carr with 227 yards and a touchdown.

Watch out for Jerreth Sterns

When Sterns gets the ball good things tend to happen. Especially this year with Zappe throwing him the ball. The two have connected 16 times for 278 yards and four touchdowns in the first two games of the season. The connection between is strong between the two.

The Hoosiers will look to contain Sterns. They will most likely turn to the services of Tiawan Mullen to shut down Sterns. He will also receive help from Devon “Monster” Matthews, who is back from injury.