Kennesaw State V Western Kentucky WEEK 10 YEAR 1

welcome to Bowling Green Kentucky Home of big red and the hill Toppers of Western Kentucky we're expecting a full house and they are more than ready to get things started in this one two teams from Conference USA squaring off in a weekday class to set the table for the weekend ahead as we'll see the winners of four straight the Kennesaw State owls taking on the winners of four straight the Western Kentucky Hill topper for EA Sports college football I'm Reese Davis David Pollock and Jesse Palmer with me guys it's time to get it [Music] [Applause] going all state ready to kick it off and get this game going he'll bring it back from inside his spot able to find enough room to get it out across the 25 he's brought down at the 26 so Western kuy's offense will have the first possession of the game and here's the man they rally around and he has earned that type of respect David you dang right you earn it by doing it and he's done it at such a high level everyone believes in this young man in Palmer there there's a reason why you're right David he's been in the big moments and he's won the big games this guy delivers when the game is on the line they'll go to the counter tackle is made at the 28 after a pickup of three they've made third down offense a key it'll be tested on Third and long from the 28th looking to throw it's Finley quickly complete at the 45 on it way he's loose he's at the 10 touchdown Hill topper that is the ultimate grab and go for the score you want to talk about a great way to start the game and set the tone early it's so nice to have a quarterback just get himself into the game get himself established you make a couple throws you lead your offense down the field you score right off the bat could not have been a better start for that QB [Applause] he'll try to tack on one more exra and with the extra point they get the first seven of the game quick strike offense on that three-play scoring drive and they close it in style with a 72 yd pass to the house and he takes this from inside the five not a lot of space to be found good Hustle by the coverage team and they stop him at the 21 so Kennesaw State's offense will try to get something started with their first possession as we take a look at our impact players for this one what are you looking for Jesse for a guy to make an impact well these are simply put the leaders of this football team and generally games go how these guys play if they make plays and they've got a shot to win this one no doubt they got to show up the these are the team leaders these guys have to play well if they're going to win the football game just sort of a Relentless run getting everything that was available to him and they'll Mark him down at the [Applause] 40 want to fire on second down got it behind the line it's Clemens he's close to the first down but they're going to Mark him just a little short they have it at the 43 third and short trying to avoid making a decision on fourth down they'll try to pick it up on the ground just nowhere to go against this defense to find that single yard he needed on third down first one of the day is booted away they ran him out there four times in the victory last week the ball hits at the five and it'll go into the end zone for a Touchback here comes the Western Kentucky offense back onto the field power football with the run into the pile maybe got one he stopped at the 21 didn't get much on first down it's second and nine looking to throw it's Fenley receiver looks it in it's complete he makes the stop almost as soon as he catches it they're short of the first down third on Third and long trying to have a big completion here complete to the right and he's down at the 41 that's a first down and the hill Toppers come to the line with a new set of downs he'll do it himself and I think they'll give him two on that one second and eight coming up at 43 up second down using his legs it's young makes his man miss and a short gain on this run and that will bring us to the end of the first that's the end of the quarter Western Kentucky is on top guys let's have a look at the stats as we played one [Applause] period now to see if these guys can get back in the game as we open the second quarter after the last run would you just give it to him again on third down he gets it oh so close to the first down marker but I think he's going to be a touch short the hill Toppers will punt it away on fourth down he ought to be able to use his first punt to pin him deep guys we'll get another look at this Kennesaw State offense they just didn't quite find the Rhythm on that last Drive Jesse they had to punt it I think they got to be more physical David I think up front they got to do a better job getting blocks and establishing this running game and how easy does football become if you're the more physical team if you can threaten the run and then then run play action it opens up the whole offense at your disposal quarterback touch pass on the Jet Sweep shows him the stiff arm and they knock him down but he got past the line game now a first down from the 45 yd line first they'll give it to the back one step wrap twep squeeze this junior knows how to get him on the ground didn't get much on first down it's second and nine right back to him on the ground and he has a solid gain before the defense bottles him up third and short coming here right from the Midfield strike wants to throw it's Bryson they're working that left side he gets it to the 38 yd line and they'll pick up a fresh set of downs this kenesa state offense is on the Move off the play fake on first down to throw grabbed over the middle it's moss and they'll finally catch up to him but not before a big chunck of yardage is picked up they're threatening to score and they'll throw it got his man quickly and he broke one tackle on the way to a solid pick up there the clock has reached the two-minute Mark and they have a chance to at least cut into this lead before the break back to the air one more time fires and picked off and he's wrapped up after a solid return on the pick and defensive backs you think don't have good hands the big fell shows it how about that defensive back going up and getting the interception nice job breaking on the football you say that's why you play defense cuz you don't have [Music] hands the hill topper offense comes onto the field again they'll have another opportunity to extend this lead after punting last time David and it's important to put that punt behind you it's it's over let it go get back to what you were doing that built this lead yeah and defense obviously they won a few Downs uh that last drive so we got to put them on their heels here maybe mix up a few Personnel groupings and try to show them some pictures they haven't seen on their own 23 it'll be first and 10 looking to move it through the air quick strike complete they stop him almost immediately short gain there and still a little ground cover to pick up the first find his man down the middle stopped after making the catch this is where you make the money on the drive ball at the 30 it's third and short dropping back it's Fenley got his man on the right he stopped quickly but not before he has enough for the first down bck will stop with this timeout from the offense they'll get a chance to regroup on the sideline they'll throw it on first down good quickness to grab it off the deflection and a good job in coverage there as they stop it after just a few after that last completion it's second down fires to the wide out he's got it they'll get him down but not before he crosses the 50 he's down to the 49 they'll throw it on first down using the back as a receiver on the screen not a whole lot of room there on that screen pass as it just never developed quick timeout call by the offense after the play quarterback by himself in the back field quarterback wants to throw on second down snagged in the middle it's Hutchinson he's brought down quickly minimal gain there still a bit short of the first down wants to throw on third third down unloads to the white out got his man downfield touchdown WKU and once he found open space the band might as well start playing the field position was bad the Finish was great great way to answer that poor field position poor field position no problem how about it a great job by the offensive coordinator this offense getting in a good Rhythm early even backed up even in a predictable situation great job coming out [Applause] they'll try to add another to their lead extra and the extra point pushes the lead to 14 so they got the touchdown now going to put it in the hands of their defense to finish off this [Applause] half looks like he's going to try to return it just never had a chance to shake Lo and he'll be brought down at the 24 guys we're about to see this Kennesaw State offense go back to work he'll come out throwing on first down this is when the pressure can ramp up a little bit on an offense David when they start feeling the heat to answer a score and I think being down 14 you can kind of feel that way but dude if you put a good drive together this is a seven-point game so Palmer no need to payt it I was just going to say David I mean this thing can flip quick you go down score all of a sudden your defense gets a stop who knows better yet gets a turnover this game is entirely different they'll go to the [Applause] ground and he's not going to get there the defense Stands Tall and makes the stop kenol state will have to punt this one away he'll bring it back it's Hutchinson this guy is a daring Return Man he's not going to settle for the fair catch a solid return gets a little bit of ground for the offense the give to the tail back and he's able to get some positive yardage before he's brought down and that'll bring us to halftime first half in the books time now to join Kevin Connors in our halftime update all right guys looks like we've got a great atmosphere today in Bowling Green Kentucky and there is no better place to start this halftime then by reviewing how this wide out has been a Onan Wrecking Crew the kid's been everywhere and I love how he's willing to go across the middle but that he also has the Jets to burn these DBS on the Deep ball if this defense wants to actually come back in this one they better hide his cleats and with that let's send it back to the guys at elt Smith Stadium tenas State ready to kick it off to start things here in the second half half on the move from inside is five nice job executing all of the assignments as they put a stop to that return at the 22 guys will get another look at this Kennesaw State offense they'll start this third quarter with a run building momentum picking up a chunk of yardage moving the chains out to the 34 first and 10 first the he wants to throw catch in the middle it's D he was not going to be denied discarding tacklers running behind his pads and finally down at the 40 they'll try the Run they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one and this offense just has to find a way to convert this third down or else they are really in trouble got it in the middle it's moss and he's knocked down immediately but not before he moves the chains that's a first down the off going up top on first down using the quick game well it's a nice job by the defender they're closing the Gap with the wide receiver they're going to complete the hitch pass but he's able to run right up on him get him to the ground for a minimal gain that's what you expect from a senior don't give them any extra yards great tackle there they'll run this play from the pistol on Third and short the power run here they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one with a double digit deficit here in the second half they're going to go for it on fourth down the incomplete pass ends a frustrating series and they turn it over on Downs line gets set first down the run from the shotgun he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple after getting knocked back to open this drive it's second and 12 the back goes in motion back to pass it's Fenley spins away from the defense they bring him down but a solid pick up to put them in position to pick up a first down in the dead center of the field as they try to convert this third and short they get to him as he throws that pass is well off Target he got hit as he was is trying to throw and they can't convert on third down kick away fourth down and the punt team sends it the other way no return coming he'll call for the fair catch guys we're about to see this Kennesaw State offense go back to work that last Drive was promising at times but stalled out and they turned it over on Downs Jesse I think they got to do a better job here just being better early in the Downs on first down finding positive points yeah and it's frustrating when you move the football and get stopped on the other side of the field and get no points but they've had some success and I like the aggressiveness they just got to cash some of these drives in nowhere to run on that one he loses four on the carry trying to move the sticks on third down through the air caught over the middle it's Moss there to make the Stop and we've played three in this one that's the end of the quarter Western Kentucky is on top let's take a quick look at the national rankings to see how this playoff race is shaping up one more period to go and we'll see just how much fight they've got left in them kenesa State coming out with another first down he's looking to throw it catch in the middle it's Kent and they'll finally get him down after a terrific pickup they've got it at the 37 it's first and 10 it's a draw he's dropped behind the line of scrimmage that'll be a loss of three last play was a near disaster now dealing with second and 13 back to throw it's Bryson and they couldn't hold off the heat and he goes down with the sack these are the perfect situations you love to be in known passing situations these are not where the offensive tackles want to be and when you're on the edge and there's no threat of the Run pin your ears back get the nice first downside and we mind as well State the obvious first and second down didn't work out third and very long looking to throw and he needs a chunk play excellent coverage and good use of the hands to knock it away down by multiple possessions they can't come up empty on this drive in the fourth quarter they'll go for it on fourth down can't find his man it'll be incomplete lead and that is a heartbreaker this late in the game on coming out on first down with the play fake gets it out fast I love an offense that wants to stay aggressive even when you've got the lead late in a game like this right you still try to find your Playmakers and get them the ball in space and that is exactly what this offense is doing he gets it all the way down to the five yd line a terrific catch and run before he stopped a great chance to put this game away with a score here on first and goal into the end zone he goes touchdown Western Kentucky that'll give them a little more breathing room as they try to push this winning streak to five the offense strikes again to extend its lead here in the second half and they got everything working how great is this you extend your lead now you get your defense back on the field great job taking advantage of the situation and building on that lead getting set for the the point after on for the extra [Applause] point and the extra point splits the upright and they're up a full three touchdowns a 21-point cushion in the fourth just about set to kick it away State Z On The Run from inside his own five really disciplined job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 guys we'll get another look at this kenesa state offense wasting no time throwing on this drive real power running by this guy as he bangs his way to the 24 Kenn state right back to work you just got the feeling this defense is going to make it hard on them right they've got the lead it's late and they're going to try to tackle everybody in bounds offense is going to have to really work for this and be smart you got to attack the sidelines you got to throw first downs you got to keep this thing moving vertically down the field these wide receivers work the middle field so much of this is field understanding where the holes are in the zone or understanding how to get leverage on a man and these wide receivers are dangerous nowadays because they do it so fast and see that so quick and make those plays over the middle well this offense has not put their best product on the field today they've got no points to show for any of their efforts so far but they've still got a chance but if it's going to happen it has to happen now in this two-minute situation this is where their Playmakers need to step up he wants to throw it again he finds his man they were able to get him stopped just shy of the first down Mark Ball spotted right at Midfield as they try to convert third and short they'll try to get the first through the air he's got it he steps out of bounds but he's got a first down on the play sixth play of the drive coming up looking to go up top on first down what a snag by the defense got some room to run they make the tackle after the turnover but hang on just a second there's a flag on the field let's see if it stands thought he had the huge play with the interception instead NAB for pi and it'll be first down for this offense wants to throw on first down he got a hand in there knock it away incomplete second down here and maybe they've got time to get one more snap off before the two-minute [Applause] warning intercepted trying to take it back pass the 20 touchdown topper what a great play by the defense and paying it off with the interception return they've got the lead in trying to put this one in a hammer loog here in week [Music] 10 lining up to tack one more onto that lead and the extra point will tack another one onto this lead we check in with Kevin Conor what's going on Kevin all right guys want to update you on a game that went final moments ago Sam Houston was able to come away with the victory but it was not the type of dominant win we've seen in Huntsville over the years it's a win but it honestly lacked any real style points trying to find his man on first down he's got it 60 Minutes of football and a convincing outcome and certainly a game with implications far beyond just the standings fellas and Kevin Conor is keeping an eye on everything all over the country sounds like they had a good one there now on First and 10 from the 29 first for the off he's going to pass throws to the wide out complete to the left defense on skates that time they f finally drag him down at the 42 and Jesse there's a huge mountain to climb here but you might as well start with a chunk play well you got to start somewhere reys it's been tough going for this offense all game long they find themselves in a hole but I love the aggressive nature keep taking shots keep trying to clal your way back into this one after the misfire it's second down to throw it's Bryson throws to the tight end that is just a side Line Credit throw catch tow drag everything you want at Y and that's from the Red Zone he's going to throw it and the defense a got him at the 27 the defense puts the exclamation point on the day they have had a wonderful day man doing everything great just you could tell they were dialed into what was going on and now just throw another sack in the equation hitting the quarterback being disrupted they've been all over over the field that offense having to deal with the last thing you want on first down giving up a sack as they come up to the line on second down short throw to the sideline is complete and he's out of bounds he'll be short of the first down seventh play of the drive coming up but a long way to go on third down it's complete and sure tackling there to keep him from getting to the first down marker this offense has failed on its previous two fourth down ATT and it's picked off again his night vision hasn't been on car and after the interception and the turnover this defense has set its offense up for business and that's a really good job by the defense understanding the situation of football it's fourth down it's late in the game you got a multi possession lead take away all the Deep stuff make them Force the football into coverage they do and they stamp this game here comes the Western Kentucky offense back onto the field now the chance to take a knee and just put the finishing touches on this victory yeah and this offense has done their job man they've been so productive built the lead listen their defense has pulled their weight as well but now Jesse you get to Exhale you get to breathe and you know we got the W and we played well and we got to think about where we're taking our girlfriend and parents for dinner right what side are we ordering with our giant steak we've earned it in this game now it's time to go sell when you know you have a team outclassed the ability to play to that standard and finish with a blowout like this is really impressive and it's almost like playing against yourself right you know you're better you know you're going to win the football game but how do I continue to still execute this this was so easy great execution I just beat down in every facet I think as a player you just love being in such great Rhythm and we saw that right from the get-go in this game offense just