Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
September 29, 2001
Western Kentucky Season Preview
Although these are going to be rather vague given that I did not tape the game and am basing them on one viewing, here are my Game Grades:
QB: D
Bollinger seemed out of sync the entire afternoon. He did make some plays via the ground (40+ yards in limited time) but never could get
anything going through the air. It wasn't so much that he was throwing poor balls, but rather a case of just not finding open receivers (as
well as some drops when he did find them).
Sorgi on the other hand brought some semblance of effectiveness to the passing game, but made some dreadful passes. He threw two passes into coverage which led to picks, had another pick (for a TD) that was called back due to a penalty, and missed Lee Evans twice when he was well behind the defense for potential touchdowns.
RB: B Anthony Davis didn't have many big holes to work with, but also didn't create much on his own.
Jerone Pettus had his finest game as a Badger, showing some nice elusiveness in space.
WR/TE: C+
If Sorgi/Bollinger would have been on, it may have been different. However, I believe the receivers also bear some resonsibility in
not gaining more separation, especially when Bollinger was on the move.
Nick Davis had a couple drops, though at least two were marginal throws. Still, he needs to make those plays. He did redeem himself with an explosive move around the corner for the game sealing touchdown.
OL: C-
Given the competition, it was a less than scintillating performance from the Badger front. The overall numbers weren't terrible (200 or so
rushing yards), but Western Kentucky used extensive movement and
was able to disrupt the Badgers timing. When called on to pass, the Badgers were not under a jailbreak situation, but both QBs had to move
in the pocket/rush throws more than they should have.
DL: A-
Wisconsin's front did a nice job of maintaing their assignments while defending the option. WKU tried to probe the middle early in the game,
but only managed to put themselves in second and long. On the few occasions when WKU dropped back to pass, they were under continuous
harrassment.
LB: B+
The backers were left with the primary resonsibility of containing the WKU QB, a task they did quite nicely. A couple times it seemed that the LBs
both had the QB, leaving the pitch open, but those chances were limited.
Nick Greisen was all over the place and Jeff Mack played much better without having to worry too much about pass coverage responsibilities.
DB: A
Boese, Starks, and Echols were outstanding in space in run support. They took some punishment at times but were never beat when isolated on the WKU
tailbacks. Without their strong play, there would have been some long gainers.
Coverage was good down the field, though they were barely challenged by the option attack of the Hilltoppers.
Special Teams: B-
Not a bad day overall. Munden kicked the ball pretty well with solid hang time and coverage was good.
Neuser was perfect on his 4 kicks and seemed to kick with a quicker approach than Allen.
Espinoza was pulled after two subpar kickoffs, at which time Neuser responded with a touchback.
Returns were limited, in large part because Wisconsin's edge blockers are having a hard time retaining contact with the gunners.
Analysis of Badgermaniac's Keys to the Game
1.) Defensive discipline
The Badgers were pretty solid here. I counted a couple times when it looked like two players keyed on the QB, leaving the corner with
the task of leaving his receiver and containing the play after about a 10 yard pickup, but one or two small breaks against an option team
isn't too bad. Passing grade for the Badgers here.
2.) It ain't Christmas
Nothing major. Sorgi's picks were bad but they came at times when the game was already under control. Western Kentucky was simply
never going to win this game regardless of what the Badgers did or didn't do.
3.) Offensive line dominance
Not even close for the Badgers. WKU employed a lot of speed and movement along with a nice philosophy of funnelling plays to their talented
free safety to bottle up the Badgers rushing game. The pass blocking was subpar as well.
PREDICTION
A lethargic and unmotivated effort, particularly from the offense. Still, a win is a win.
Here are Badgermaniac's Keys to the Game
1.) Defensive discipline
The Western Kentucky offensive schem requires assignment sure defensive with each player having a distinct and specific responsibility.
Defending the option does not mean making a big play here and there, but rather making the routine play each and every snap. With some youth
on the field, the youngsters must not get sucked into the wrong position at the expense of leaving their responsiblity unaccounted for.
2.) It ain't Christmas
The only way a team like WKU can stay with a good Big Ten team is if the favored team allows them to stay in the game due to serious
mistakes. Blocked kicks, key turnovers, blown coverages, etc. must be kept to a minimum.
3.) Offensive line dominance
The Hilltopper defense has not business matching up with Wisconsin's offensive line. Wisconsin made great strides last week in their ability to control
a game. This week, look for that same level of dominance coupled with a few more trips to the endzone.
PREDICTION
Not many keys this week, as Wisconsin simply needs to take of business early and often and play simple fundamental football. Wisconsin has far superior athletes
and hopefully we will see a nice mix of big plays and sustained dominance. Wisconsin 41, Western Kentucky 10.
Here is how the Badgers and Hilltoppers compare (WKU rating are D1-AA )
Total offense: WIS 37, WKU 37
Passing offense: WIS 62, WKU 122
Passing efficiency: WIS 66, WKU 114
Rushing offense: WIS 19, WKU 3
Scoring offense: WIS 61, WKU 35
Total defense: WIS 48, WKU 5
Rushing defense: WIS 42, WKU 24
Passing defense: WIS 64, WKU 7
Passing efficiency defense: WIS 39, WKU 69
Scoring defense: WIS 61, WKU 6
Turnover margin: WIS 42, WKU 72
Wisconsin has played the 7th toughest schedule in the nation. WKU has played the 150th toughest schedule in the country.
For Wisconsin...
Anthony Davis is 6th in the nation in yards rushing per game, 23rd in all-purpose yards, and 88th in total offense per game.
Jim Sorgi is 56th in passing efficiency and 83rd in total offense per game.
Lee Evans is 55th in receptions per game, 61st in all-purpose yards, and 7th in receiving yards per game.
Scott Starks is 33rd in interceptions per game.
Nick Davis is 85th in punt returns and 36th in kickoff returns.
Mike Allen is 26th in field goals per game and 96th in scoring.
For Western Kentucky...
Jason Johnson is 37th in rushing and 90th in total offense.
Joseph Jefferson is 32nd in punt returns.
Peter Martinez is 10th in field goals per game and 39th in scoring.
Sagarin has Wisconsin as a 47 point favorite. Howell does not list the game due to WKU's D1-AA status.
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