A coaching search is underway within the university, but the Toppers didn’t necessarily play like a team in turmoil on Saturday.
Six days after learning Head Coach David Elson would be let go after the season, the Toppers (0-10, 0-6 Sun Belt Conference) went to Monroe and carried a lead into the fourth quarter for the first time this season.
Although they ended up on the wrong end of a scoring outburst to finish the game, Elson said Saturday was the best chance to score that elusive first win of the season.
“A few things here, a few there and we win a game on the road against the second-place team in the league,” Elson said during Monday’s weekly Sun Belt teleconference. “I thought our guys did what we asked them to do during the week, and they’ve done that. We just haven’t been able to get it to equate to a win on a Saturday yet.”
Louisiana-Monroe wasn’t Elson’s last shot at scoring a win before he leaves the program. But as he nears the end of his tenure, chances to break Western’s Football Bowl Subdivision-leading 18-game losing streak are running low.
Elson has two games left to coach and said he’s not throwing in the towel on the season — but he’ll need his team to elude the injury bug for a winning opportunity to present itself.
The Toppers traveled to Monroe missing multiple starters in the secondary and sophomore defensive lineman Jared Clendenin. Sophomore linebacker Ryan Beard is out for the rest of the season with an injured knee.
Western will take this Saturday off before traveling to Florida Atlantic on Nov. 28. The Toppers then face their quickest turnaround of the season, returning to the field five days later to finish the season at home on Dec. 3 against Arkansas State.
“We’re going to approach this open week like we typically do and try to get some good, fundamental work done, get a head start on (Florida Atlantic),” Elson said. “But at the same time, we’re 10 games into it, so we’ve got some bumps and bruises. We need to get some rest and some rehab and treatment and get healed up and come back and be really fresh going into that FAU week.”
The Arkansas State game will be the sendoff for what’s left of Elson’s final senior class, which started last September with 11 members but lost linebacker Darvis McBride midway through the season.
Senior receiver Jake Gaebler said that no matter what happens for the final two games, the senior class is working to make sure there are no regrets when their Western careers — and Elson’s — end.
“I’m just going to give it everything I’ve got,” Gaebler said. “That’s one thing the seniors have talked about the last few games. The season hasn’t turned out the way we wanted, but we’ve got to continue to fight and leave it all out there. We’ve got nothing to lose.”
Tinius named Sun Belt special teams player of the week
Sophomore kicker Casey Tinius hit four field goals in last Saturday’s 21-18 loss at Louisiana-Monroe and was named the Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.
Tinius was good from distances of 43, 35, 39 and 41 yards and gave Western a 12-7 lead heading into the half.
“(Tinius) kept us in the game,” Elson said. “We’re not there towards the end if it’s not for him being able to execute those kicks.”
Tinius was one make away from tying Matt Lange’s record five field goals in one game, set against Eastern Kentucky in 2003.
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