Western Kentucky vs CharlotteOct 13, 2017 by Kolby Paxton
Can Charlotte Run Against WKU? They'd Be The First
Can Charlotte Run Against WKU? They'd Be The First
Western Kentucky vs. Charlotte game preview.
C-USA preseason favorite Western Kentucky will look to finally open the floodgates on homecoming in Bowling Green, Kentucky, tomorrow with winless Charlotte in town.
The Hilltoppers (3-2, 1-1) were the highest scoring offense in the country in 2016, but have struggled to find offensive continuity and consistency this season. Charlotte (0-6, 0-2) is better than its record suggests, with a pair of explosive offensive weapons and an above average secondary.
Will the 49ers spoil homecoming and collect their first win of the season with a major road upset? Or will Western finally display the type of offensive firepower it has become known for?
Here's everything you need to know.
Where: Houchens Industries L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, KY
Broadcast: FloFootball
What you need to know about Charlotte:
The 49ers have been bad -- but not that bad -- this season. A team that entered with bowl aspirations after a promising close to 2016 has been met with frustration and inconsistency thus far. Quarterback Hasaan Klugh and running back Benny LeMay provide hope on offense. Safety Ben DeLuca leads a slightly above average C-USA defense. At some point, Charlotte will have a breakthrough.
What you need to know about Western Kentucky:
After leading the nation in scoring a year ago, the Tops are averaging 23.9 fewer points per game and two fewer yards per play this season -- much of which is due to the significant drop in average yards per rush attempt, down three full yards, from 5.4 to just 2.4 yards with each carry. However, the defense has been excellent, allowing just 19.0 points per game -- helping to get the Tops to 3-2.
Benny LeMay has been a rare bright spot for Charlotte this season. The sophomore running back has tallied over 500 total yards -- including 488 yards on the ground, good for sixth in the league. LeMay set a career high with 158 rushing yards against North Carolina A&T and then topped that total two weeks later with 178 yards against Florida International. LeMay's status for this week is still in question due to a concussion suffered vs. Marshall, but if the 49ers are going to have a chance, they'll have to get it going on the ground -- with or without him.
The Tops returned quarterback Mike White, the C-USA offensive player of the year, to lead an offense that lit up scoreboards last season -- and more of the same was expected in 2017. Unfortunately for WKU, that hasn't materialized through the team's first five games. Western is the worst rushing offense in the league -- and one of the worst in the country -- with just 74.6 yards per game on the ground. Head coach Mike Sanford says the lack of a rushing attack is due, at least in part, to the Toppers' inability to hit the big play through the air.
Advantage: Western Kentucky
Defense
Kansas State aside, Charlotte's defense has kept its offense within striking distance for much of this season. The group is allowing 31.0 points per game, which isn't necessarily anything to write home about. But a 14-3 loss to Marshall last week was an impressive showing and safety Ben DeLuca may be the most talented at his position in the conference.
Simply put, the Western Kentucky defense is one of the best in Conference USA this season. The D has allowed just 19 points per game and has the top rush defense in the league -- surrendering just 122.0 yards per game through the first five games of the year. Linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe is force. The junior captain leads the team with 42 stops and four tackles for a loss.
Advantage: Western Kentucky
Intangibles
It's homecoming in Bowling Green and Western Kentucky expects a full "Houch." Charlotte hasn't seen a road atmosphere like the one it's about to walk into and it may be walking into it without its best player.
Advantage: Western Kentucky
Tune in Saturday and watch all the action LIVE on FloFootball. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 PM ET.
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The Hilltoppers (3-2, 1-1) were the highest scoring offense in the country in 2016, but have struggled to find offensive continuity and consistency this season. Charlotte (0-6, 0-2) is better than its record suggests, with a pair of explosive offensive weapons and an above average secondary.
Will the 49ers spoil homecoming and collect their first win of the season with a major road upset? Or will Western finally display the type of offensive firepower it has become known for?
Here's everything you need to know.
Charlotte vs. Western Kentucky
When: Saturday, October 14, at 4:30 PM (ET)Where: Houchens Industries L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, KY
Broadcast: FloFootball
What you need to know about Charlotte:
The 49ers have been bad -- but not that bad -- this season. A team that entered with bowl aspirations after a promising close to 2016 has been met with frustration and inconsistency thus far. Quarterback Hasaan Klugh and running back Benny LeMay provide hope on offense. Safety Ben DeLuca leads a slightly above average C-USA defense. At some point, Charlotte will have a breakthrough.
What you need to know about Western Kentucky:
After leading the nation in scoring a year ago, the Tops are averaging 23.9 fewer points per game and two fewer yards per play this season -- much of which is due to the significant drop in average yards per rush attempt, down three full yards, from 5.4 to just 2.4 yards with each carry. However, the defense has been excellent, allowing just 19.0 points per game -- helping to get the Tops to 3-2.
Offense
Benny LeMay has been a rare bright spot for Charlotte this season. The sophomore running back has tallied over 500 total yards -- including 488 yards on the ground, good for sixth in the league. LeMay set a career high with 158 rushing yards against North Carolina A&T and then topped that total two weeks later with 178 yards against Florida International. LeMay's status for this week is still in question due to a concussion suffered vs. Marshall, but if the 49ers are going to have a chance, they'll have to get it going on the ground -- with or without him.
The Tops returned quarterback Mike White, the C-USA offensive player of the year, to lead an offense that lit up scoreboards last season -- and more of the same was expected in 2017. Unfortunately for WKU, that hasn't materialized through the team's first five games. Western is the worst rushing offense in the league -- and one of the worst in the country -- with just 74.6 yards per game on the ground. Head coach Mike Sanford says the lack of a rushing attack is due, at least in part, to the Toppers' inability to hit the big play through the air.
Advantage: Western Kentucky
Defense
Kansas State aside, Charlotte's defense has kept its offense within striking distance for much of this season. The group is allowing 31.0 points per game, which isn't necessarily anything to write home about. But a 14-3 loss to Marshall last week was an impressive showing and safety Ben DeLuca may be the most talented at his position in the conference.
Simply put, the Western Kentucky defense is one of the best in Conference USA this season. The D has allowed just 19 points per game and has the top rush defense in the league -- surrendering just 122.0 yards per game through the first five games of the year. Linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe is force. The junior captain leads the team with 42 stops and four tackles for a loss.
Advantage: Western Kentucky
Intangibles
It's homecoming in Bowling Green and Western Kentucky expects a full "Houch." Charlotte hasn't seen a road atmosphere like the one it's about to walk into and it may be walking into it without its best player.
Advantage: Western Kentucky
Tune in Saturday and watch all the action LIVE on FloFootball. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 PM ET.
How to Watch Western Kentucky University vs Charlotte
On TV: Available on Roku and Apple TV 4 -- download the FloSports app now.Streaming: Only on FloFootball with a PRO subscription. A yearly PRO subscription provides access to ALL FloSports sites. JOIN NOW