WKU-FAU postgame

Close, but no cigar again for the Hilltoppers. 

WKU went punch for punch with FAU but simply couldn’t make a stop when it had to in the end. 

A couple of big moments really killed WKU – two fumbles by Derrius Brooks being the biggest.

The second fumble was a real disaster for the Hilltoppers as it came late in the third quarter with WKU down five. 

After a 30-yard catch and run by Marell Booker set WKU up inside the FAU 20, the series of bad events began. A chop block and a hold were called on the play – forcing WKU all the way back to its own 47.

On the next play, Brooks rushed for a loss of nine yards on a reverse play before fumbling after making a catch on the next. 

The WKU defense answered the bell on the next series though, forcing a 3 and out, but if the Hilltoppers get into the endzone on the drive before (they could have had a first and 10 in the redzone), the complexion of the game changes completely. 

Another questionable call was WKU’s choice to go for the surprise onside kick after taking a 17-16 lead early in the third.

It was a call that coach David Elson said he regretted making after the game and took full responsibility for. 

I understood the reasoning behind the call. This is a desperate football team in a desperate situation trying to do anything to grab a victory. It was an aggressive call, but quite simply, it was probably a situation of over-thinking something – especially since it was the third time the Tops have ran that surprise onside this season. 

The biggest silver lining tonight was once again Bobby Rainey – who rushed for a career-best 149 yards on just 15 carries. 

Rainey is about 130 yards away from the 1,000-yard mark this season and is doing so with an astounding 6.8 yard per rush average. 

There are a lot of question marks that face the Hilltoppers as they move from the David Elson era into the Willie Taggart era, but one that doesn’t need an answer is Rainey.

The sophomore back has the talent to run in just about any league in the FBS and should be able to thrive in Taggart’s West Coast Offense next season. And for the first time in his career, he’ll more than likely be getting 20-plus touches a game as seniors Tyrell Hayden and Marell Booker will be graduating. 

Keeping backs fresh is always important, but it’s no secret that Rainey is WKU’s best offensive player. 

I’m not sure if it will happen or not, but in my opinion, Rainey should get votes for the all-league team at the end of the season. He was leading the conference in all-purpose yards coming in and he’s also in the top 20 in the FBS in that category. 

He’s got a shot at 1,000 yards on the ground, he’s an excellent kick returner and he averages just 12 carries per game. 

He’s got star potential all over him and he should only get better as time progresses for him at WKU.

FAU 29, WKU 23 final

Tops can’t stop the Owls at all on the final series, as FAU runs out the clock for the win.

FAU 29, WKU 23 4:59 left

Tinius boots a 47-yarder to bring the Tops within six with under five to go.

FAU 29, WKU 20 6:59 left in game

Lester Jean hauls in a 34-yard pass before grabbing a 27-yard touchdown catch on the very next play.

FAU goes 80 yards in under two minutes to re-take the two-possession lead.

WKU can’t convert

Jakes puts one right on Jake Gaebler’s hands down inside the 10 – but Gaebler can’t hang on and WKU has to punt.

Tops catch a break

Avery Holley fumbles for FAU after a big hit from Taurean Smith – Mark Santoro recovers and WKU takes over at its own 43 with just under 12 minutes to go in the game.

FAU 22, WKU 20 13:03 fourth quarter

Another huge 43-yard run by Rainey sets up the Toppers with a first and goal – but WKU can’t find the endzone. 

Casey Tinius boots a 21-yarder and the Tops pull within two.

Tops fumble again

WKU starts strong by getting a big completion to Marcus Vasquez and then a 30-yard hit to Marell Booker. But holding and a chop block on Booker’s catch takes WKU from the FAU 18 to their own 47. 

One play later Derrius Brooks loses nine-yard on a failed reverse, and on the next play, Brooks coughs up his second fumble of the game – FAU recovers and is now facing a 1st and 10 on the WKU 43 with 3:18 to go in the third.

FAU 22, WKU 17 7:42 third quarter

After the failed onside kick, WKU marches down the field before Van Camp bursts into the endzone from three-yards out. 

The run came on a fourth down and inches play.

Ross Gornall botches another extra point, but the Owls go back on top midway through the third quarter.

WKU 17, FAU 16 11:57 third quarter

WKU gets a big 42-yard burst from Bobby Rainey before Casey Tinius boots a 32-yard field goal to give the Hilltoppers their first lead of the season.

WKU then attempts to convert the surprise onside kick, but fails – and FAU has the ball on the WKU 48.