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2016 Preview: Western Kentucky Looks to Defend Conference USA Crown

By Shawn Spencer

Sep 19, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers memorial stadium reflection seen in one of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers helmets during warms up before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers memorial stadium reflection seen in one of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers helmets during warms up before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2015; Miami, FL, USA;Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head coach Jeff Brohm (C) celebrates by holding the championship trophy after defeating the South Florida Bulls in the 2015 Miami Beach Bowl at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2015; Miami, FL, USA;Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head coach Jeff Brohm (C) celebrates by holding the championship trophy after defeating the South Florida Bulls in the 2015 Miami Beach Bowl at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2015 season will go down as one of the best in Western Kentucky football history. The Hilltoppers offense lit up scoreboards across Conference USA on their way to a 12-2 record and conference championship.

Led by senior quarterback Brandon Doughty, Western Kentucky averaged 44.3 points per game; third-best in the FBS behind only Baylor and Texas Tech. Doughty took on a much larger role than initially expected as star running back Leon Allen was lost for the year with a knee injury less than two games into the season. While Anthony Wales and D’Andre Ferby filled in nicely for Allen, it was Doughty’s offense. He would go on to lead the FBS with 5,055 yards passing.

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With Allen in the lineup, the Hilltoppers won their first two games of the season against Vanderbilt and Louisiana Tech. Next up was Indiana, as Western Kentucky attempted to upset two power five schools in the month of September. At halftime, the Hilltoppers had an 11-point edge, however a 21-point third quarter elevated the Hoosiers to a 38-35 victory.

After the loss Western Kentucky found their groove, winning four straight by an average of 34 points. At 6-1, the Hilltoppers were about to take on their biggest test of the season; a trip to Baton Rouge to take on the 7-0 LSU Tigers. Once again, Western Kentucky kept the game close early, but LSU scored 34 points in the second half to win 48-20. Despite the loss, Brandon Doughty played extremely well, throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns.

Just like they did after the Indiana game, Western Kentucky bounced back quickly from a loss. This time the Hilltoppers won six straight to close out the season. This included a 17-point win over Southern Mississippi in the Conference USA title game and a victory over South Florida in the Miami Beach Bowl.

Despite having to replace a ton of production at the quarterback and wide receiver positions, Western Kentucky does return 11 starters from last year’s squad. While another 12-2 season may not be realistic, the Hilltoppers will once again be in contention for a Conference USA title.

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