JONESBORO — Watching Western Kentucky’s offense on film is like stepping into a football timewarp.
The Hilltoppers line up with a fullback, utilize unbalanced lines and occasionally come out in three tight-end jumbo packages. It’s not unusual to see them utilize presnap shifts of mammoth guards and tackles, toss sweeps and naked bootlegs, too.
And it wouldn’t be complete without a vintage mantra.
“We’re going to pound the football,” third-year Western Kentucky Coach Willie Taggart said. “No matter what the other team tries to do.”
It’s left quite an impression on Arkansas State defensive coordinator John Thompson, as the Red Wolves (2-2, 0-0) prepare for today’s game between two teams who have won a combined 15 consecutive conference games.
“It’s old-school football,” Thompson said. “It’s what football is and should be. Maybe we’re finally getting back to it.”
Not likely in this age of Spread formations, but the Hilltoppers - whose last Sun Belt loss came to ASU - are effective with their brand of football.
Western Kentucky ranks second in the Sun Belt - behind ASU - and No. 36 nationally in rushing with an average of 260.8 yards per game. That’s after absorbing losing All-Sun Belt running back Bobby Rainey, who ran out of eligibility after rushing for 4,542 yards and 42 touchdowns over four seasons.
“It’s who meets on which side of the line of scrimmage that’s going to be the difference in the game,” Thompson said.
Junior Antonio Andrews, averaging 83 yards per game, has filled part of the void created by Rainey’s departure.
ASU Coach Gus Malzahn said Andrews blends power with lateral quickness to be a “very good downhill runner, but very good in the pass game, too.”
The punishing style, coupled with presnap shifts by offensive linemen, tight ends and fullbacks, puts a premium on fundamentals, Arkansas State senior linebacker Nathan Herrold said.
“You’ve got to know your gaps and be conscious of formations,” Herrold said. “We know they’re going to do a lot of shifting and movement. You’ve got to stay calm and poised.”
And what happens when Western Kentucky comes barreling down hill?
“Just get off blocks and being really physical the way we want to be,” ASU freshman strong safety Chris Humes said. “We’ve got to shed them and make plays.”
Western Kentucky isn’t afraid to send Andrews, 6-0, 211 pounds, out of the backfield. In four games, he has 17 catches for 221 yards, which is typical of Western Kentucky’s passing attack with senior quarterback Kawaun Jakes.
“They’re very good at checkdowns, and do have some vertical things with their running backs,” Malzahn said. “But they can also use [Andrews] in some option-type things vs. linebackers.”
Aside from Andrews, Jakes’ favorite target is tight end Jack Doyle, who has 19 catches for 184 yards this season.
“He’s got really good hands and he uses his body to get great positioning,” Herrold said. “He may not beat you with his speed vertically, but he’s good at getting his body in position with long arms and big hands.”
Aside from Doyle, who Malzahn dubbed the “best in the Sun Belt,” the Hilltoppers can also throw the ball to fullback Kadeem Jones or fellow tight ends Tim Gorski or Mitchell Henry.
“You don’t really see that from Sun Belt teams or any other teams in the country,” Humes said. “They love getting the ball to the tight ends, who are big and physical.”
Against the throwback attack, the only solution requires retro thinking.
“We just have to line up and outphysical them,” Herrold said.
TODAY’S GAMES All times Central La.-Monroe at Tulane, 2:30 p.m.
Troy at South Alabama, 2:30 p.m.
North Texas at Florida Atlantic, 4 p.m.
W. Kentucky at Arkansas St., 6 p.m.
Middle Tenn. at Georgia Tech, 6 p.m.
Fla. International at La.-Lafayette, 6 p.m.
Today’s game ARKANSAS STATE VS. WESTERN KENTUCKY WHEN 6 p.m. Saturday WHERE Liberty Bank Stadium, Jonesboro RECORDS ASU 2-2, 0-0 Sun Belt Conference; Western Kentucky 3-1, 0-0 COACHES Gus Malzahn (2-2 in first season at ASU and overall); Willie Taggart (12-16 in three seasons at WKU and overall) SERIES ASU leads 3-2-1 INTERNET astateredwolves.com, wkusports.com, espn3.com
Sports, Pages 20 on 09/29/2012