Toppers working on fundamentals

More than noticeable this week was the scout team offense’s ability to move the ball against the first team defense. Head Coach David Elson said the receivers were “unconscious,” crediting their success to the simplicity of running plays from cards rather than perfection of the system.

But Elson added that the defense isn’t getting beat down due to a talent gap, but because the coaching staff may have gotten ahead of themselves in implementing a complicated system.

“I think that’s been part of our problem maybe is that we’ve focused too much on the Xs and Os and not enough on the fundamentals,” Elson said. “You’re wanting guys to know what they’re doing, and then you get to a point that you work so hard at ‘he’s got to know where to line up, he’s got to know who to block or what gap to be in.’ Then you look back at it and say, ‘now we’ve got to team him how, which is the fundamentals aspect of it.’”

Elson says Brown best in the Sun Belt Conference

Western has faced many great quarterbacks this season, including Tennessee’s Jonathan Crompton and South Florida’s Matt Grothe. But Elson said that when it comes to Sun Belt signal callers, Troy senior quarterback Levi Brown is the best.

“He’s so accurate and has such a great presence and feel with what they’re doing,” Elson said. “I think you’ve got to say he’s the one that’s above the rest of them based on what they’re doing.”

Brown has passed for 4,556 yards in his career at Troy and has thrown for over 350 yards in each of the Trojans’ past three games.

Troy hasn’t lost since its second game of the season, at Florida on Sept. 12. Elson noted that the Trojans’ success “all starts with (Brown).”

Crennel to address team Friday night

Elson said he expects Western legend Romeo Crennel to address the Toppers Friday night. Crennel, who was a four-year starter at Western and now owns five Super Bowl Rings, will be in town for homecoming to accept his induction into Western’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

In addition, former Head Coach Jack Harbaugh will be in attendance for Saturday’s game against Troy on former Topper quarterback Willie Taggart’s behalf. Taggart is also entering the Hall this weekend.

Injuries mounting

As with the stretch run of any college football team, the injury list is growing for Western.

The biggest news this week revolves around former Bowling Green High School standout and current sophomore defensive back Ryan Beard. Beard re-injured his posterior cruciate ligament before last week’s game against North Texas and will miss the rest of the season, according to Elson.

Junior receiver Quinterrance Cooper is still undergoing evaluation after suffering two concussions this season. Junior defensive back Orlando Misaalefua and freshman defensive back Kareem Peterson will also miss with concussions.

Junior linebacker Chris Bullard sat out of practice sick this week, sophomore center Shelley Anthony is doubtful with an elbow injury and Elson said junior offensive tackle Preston King is questionable with a leg injury.

No division in the locker room

With a 16-game losing streak in hand, senior receiver Jake Gaebler said the Toppers are refraining from pointing fingers.

“If anything, you see guys on the defensive or offensive side of the ball step up and take responsibility for the way things are going,” Gaebler said. “There definitely isn’t any division or finger pointing in the locker room, which is good to see.”

Gaebler has fought through the best and worst, from two winning seasons to now two in a row losing. And of the teams he‘s been a part of, Gaebler said the attitude of this one stands out.

“It says a lot about our character and the type of people we have on our team,” he said.