The Hilltoppers rode an offense that churned out 497 yards per game to a 9-5 record last year that included a New Orleans Bowl win over South Alabama.
Led by quarterback Austin Reed, most of the production from 2022 returns. Reed, who transferred to WKU from Division-II West Florida in Pensacola following the 2021 season, led the nation in passing yards with 4,744 and his 40 touchdowns tied for third nationally.
Air Reed offense? Well, he also ran for eight TDs.
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The Hilltoppers had four receivers catch at least 50 passes last season. Two of them return, including Malachi Corley, who was fourth nationally in receptions (101) and receiving yards (1,293) while catching 11 touchdown passes.
Four of WKU’s top five tacklers and nine of the top 13 from last season have departed from a unit that led Conference USA in points allowed at 23.4. Hence, defensive coordinator Tyson Summers has spent the preseason working with many new potential starters, including a handful of transfers. Last season’s leader in sacks, linebacker JaQues Evans with nine, returns as does corner Upton Stout, who had a team-high four interceptions.
Of Note: Among those behind Reed on the depth chart at quarterback is Turner Helton, nephew of Hilltoppers head coach Tyson Helton and son of Clayton Helton, former USC head coach and current sideline boss at Georgia Southern.
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Receiver Willie Taggart Jr., son of the former USF coach, is in his first season at Western Kentucky after playing three seasons (18 games, 91 total yards) for his father at FAU. The elder Taggart, who also coached at WKU and Florida State, quarterbacked the Toppers from 1995 to 98 under Jack Harbaugh at a time when the program was an FCS independent. WKU elevated to the FBS in 2007.
History: USF and Western Kentucky have met seven times with the Bulls leading the series 4-3. The teams last met in the 2015 Miami Beach Bowl, a 45-35 WKU victory at Marlins Park, now LoanDepot Park. The Bulls and Hilltoppers have met six times in the regular season, most recently in 2010. The Hilltoppers were USF’s fourth opponent during the Bulls’ inaugural season of 1997.
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