(Sports Network) -
2008 SEASON IN REVIEW: The Hilltoppers posted 12 consecutive winnings
campaigns heading into 2008, but that run came to an abrupt end, as the team
finished a mere 2-10. WKU failed to defeat a single FBS team in 2008 and ended
the year riding an eight-game losing streak. It was certainly a disappointment
for the Toppers, who began their transition to the FBS level two seasons ago.

A once proud and successful program at the FCS stage, WKU boasted a veteran
lineup last season that helped the team at least remain competitive in games.
The Toppers played close games against two of the top teams in the league in
Troy (17-7) and Florida Atlantic (24-20), but just couldn't find a way to pull
out a win. The Toppers finished 0-5 versus SBC teams in 2008 and will play a
full schedule this season.

Now in his seventh year as head coach at WKU, David Elson is ready
to lead the program into uncharted territory, as the Toppers are officially
eligible to win a conference title and participate in a bowl game in 2009.

2009 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: The Toppers struggled greatly on the offensive side of the ball in
2008, being held to 13 or fewer points in eight games and averaging just 286.1
total ypg. Walt Wells was promoted from line coach to offensive coordinator
this season and that is the first step to rebuilding this unit.

"The biggest thing for us is getting the ball in the hands of different guys
and diversifying things," Elson stated.

The biggest hole WKU must fill is at quarterback. The team has three options
in Brandon Smith, Marcus Vasquez and Kawaun Jakes, but none have any
significant experience. The 6-0, 200-pound Smith has been the backup the last
few seasons, so he has the leg up on the other two redshirt freshman. The 6-2,
190-pound Vasquez though, is more athletic, while the 6-3, 176-pound Jones is
talented enough to start at wideout if he can't land a spot at quarterback.

Whomever wins the starting job at quarterback will have the luxury of throwing
to Jake Gaebler, the team's most consistent wideout. The 5-11, 185-pound
Gaebler caught 54 balls for 588 yards and four scores last season and is just
25 receptions shy of breaking the school's all-time receiving mark.

In the backfield, the Toppers will once again lean on the duo of Tyrell Hayden
and Marell Booker, whom combined for 673 rushing yards last season. The 5-10,
190-pound Hayden is the quicker of the two, while the 5-9, 215-pound Booker is
a more punishing runner.

"Ty Hayden and Marell Booker have been really solid," stated Elson. "We need
to improve at pass protection, but I really like our depth here."

The offensive line welcomes back four starters from a year ago and that is
good news considering the team will be breaking in a new quarterback. The line
isn't all that big, but it is athletic enough to get the job done.

DEFENSE: WKU will be rebuilding on the defensive side of things, as only a few
starters are welcomed back. The line is completely gone, so the team will
count on young faces like sophomores Jared Clendenin and Bo Adebayo to step in
and produce like veterans. The 6-3, 230-pound Clendenin did well as a back up
last season, posting 18 tackles, and the end should be able to provide a solid
pass rush with more time. As for the 6-3, 240-pound Adebayo, he will take on
the other end spot and look to build a good rapport with Clendenin.

Only one of four starting linebackers is welcomed back for WKU and that is
Darvis McBride, a 5-10, 225-pound senior that made 50 tackles last season. A
solid all-around defender, McBride needs to become more of a playmaker in his
final campaign.

The secondary has a couple of up and coming players in sophomore safeties Ryan
Beard and Mark Santoro. The 6-1, 180-pound Beard showed great promise as a
rookie last season, making 41 tackles and three interceptions, but he was
suspended in the spring for off field issues. He is expected to be back and
will be one of the top players for this defense. As for the 6-0, 195-pound
Santoro, he posted 60 tackles and two picks while being used in a variety of
ways and he should only be better with a year of experience behind him.

SPECIAL: The Toppers will be breaking in a new kicker, but Jeremy Moore does
return as the punter. Last season, Moore averaged just 36.9 yards per punt in
2008, so the team is hoping he can do better in 2009. At kicker, Casey Tinius
is set to take over and he has a solid leg. Running back Bobby Rainey is an
elite kickoff returner, so expect the Toppers to have good field position most
of the time. Rainey averaged 30.6 yards per return on 19 attempts last season.

OUTLOOK: WKU's first full-fledged FBS season will probably be a losing one, as
the Toppers must rebuild on both sides of the ball. Don't expect many wins or
even that many close games for that matter, as the Toppers try to continue to
build for the future.





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