Statistically Speaking: A first look at Western Kentucky

By Hunt Palmer

LSU steps out of conference one more time Saturday night.

Western Kentucky comes to town sporting an 8-2 overall record, 6-2 in Conference USA. Their season finale is at Jacksonville State who is unbeaten in league play. That game will have huge implications on who makes the CUSA title game.

Starting quarterback Maverick McIvor injured his shoulder in October and has not played in four weeks. The Hilltoppers have turned to backup Rodney Tisdale Jr. who threw for 371 and three touchdowns on Saturday. The Tigers better be ready to defend the pass.

A reminder that the smaller the ranking, the better the statistic.

Green: Top 25

Red: Bottom 50

OFFENSE

Scoring Offense: 46th, 31.3 points per game

Total Offense: 27th, 432.9 yards per game

Yards per play: 39th, 6.1 yards per play

Rushing Offense: 92nd, 136.8 yards per game

Yards per carry: 73rd, 4.3 yards per carry

Rushing Attempts per game: 107th, 32.1 attempts per game

Rushing Touchdowns: 64th, 16

Passing Offense: 11th, 296.1 yards per game

Passing Attempts: 8th, 38.9 attempts per game

Completion Percentage: 17th, 68.1%

Passing Touchdowns: 25th, 21

Interceptions Thrown: 67th, 8

First Downs: 30th, 22.5 per game

Third Down Conversions: 19th, 47.5%

Fourth Down Conversion attempts: 121st, 12

Red Zone Touchdown Percentage: 17th, 71.4%

20-plus yard plays: 16th, 57

10-plus yard runs: 79th, 45

20-plus yard passes: 4th, 47

Sacks Allowed: 37th, 1.5 per game

Tackles For Loss Allowed: 54th, 5 per game

Time of Possession: 69th, 30:00 per game

The Hilltoppers want to air it out. They do so efficiently and excel on third downs and in the red zone. The production hasn’t dipped with the quarterback change.

DEFENSE

Scoring Defense: 54th, 23.1 points per game

Total Defense: 97th, 399 yards per game

Yards per Play Allowed: 83rd, 5.7 yards per play

Run Defense: 110th, 175.7 yards per game

Yards per Carry Allowed: 128th, 5.1 yards per carry

Rushing Touchdowns Allowed: 38th, 12

Passing Defense: 76th, 223.7 yards per game

Completion Percentage Allowed: 8th, 54.8%

Yards per Passing Attempt Allowed: 25th, 6.3 yards per attempt

Interceptions: 68th, 7

Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 9th, 8

Sacks: 124th, 1.2 per game

Tackles for Loss: 83rd, 5.2 per game

Third Down Defense: 52nd, 37%

Red Zone Touchdown Percentage Allowed: 4th, 37.8%

20-plus yard plays allowed: 108th, 51

10-plus yard runs allowed:  85th, 49

20-plus yard passes allowed: 69th, 30

How do you get to 8-2 with one of the worst run defenses in college football? Stop teams in the red zone, and Western Kentucky has done that. They give up big chunks on the ground but are able to keep teams out of the end zone.

The passing defense looks good on paper, but there isn’t much pass rush or havoc being created in the backfield.