The Hilltoppers competed in their first full scrimmage of the fall Tuesday morning at Houchens-Smith Stadium. The team went a little more than two hours after a 30-minute warmup period.

Interviews are scheduled to be conducted after tonight’s second practice, a 4-6 p.m. timeslot back at The Houch. Until then, here are some key notes from Tuesday morning.

•The biggest takeaway was that Brandon Doughty continues to separate himself for the starting QB position. The junior played exclusively with the No. 1 offense, started his day 7-for-7 before his first incompletion and led the offense to a TD drive in two of his first three possessions. I’m told that he was held out Monday for precautionary reasons due to aggravation in his right knee – the same knee which had a torn ACL in 2011.

•Meanwhile, redshirt-freshman quarterback DaMarcus Smith struggled immensely. His first possession ended with a scramble and fumble. The chains were reset, then his second drive ended with a 3rd-and-13 scramble and sack. The third time around with the 2s, sophomore Nelson Fishback took over and he, Smith and true freshman Todd Porter rotated with the 2s and 3s the rest of the way.

•Anthony Wales, a redshirt freshman from Central High in Louisville, is making strides to take over the third running back spot behind seniors Antonio Andrews and Keyshawn Simpson. Sophomore Leon Allen was not present after injuring his left leg during Monday’s workout. Wales’ highlight Tuesday was catching a swing pass out in the right flat and sprinting through the defense for a 50-yard score, showing explosive speed.

•The No. 1 offense faced the No. 2 defense while the No. 1 defense faced the No. 2 offense for the majority of the scrimmage. The Tops’ first defense wasn’t as dominant as I thought they might be. Gavin Rocker looks to have cemented his spot at starting defensive end opposite Bar’ee Boyd.

•The starting WKU offensive line goes thusly: junior Cameron Clemmons, senior Luis Polanco, senior Sean Conway, redshirt freshman Forrest Lamp and senior Ed Hazelett. The four surrounding Conway flip sides of the ball pending the formation.

•The Hilltoppers’ “heavy” set includes tight ends Mitchel Henry, Tyler Higbee and Tim Gorksi all stacked on one side.

•Kicker Joseph Occhipinti looks to be the No. 1 kicker on kickoffs, extra points and field goals.

•True freshman Marcus Ward (6-3, 204) had a very impressive scrimmage playing safety with the second team defense.

•The offense ran plays with no-huddle, in a hurry-up setting and in the pistol formation among other normal sets.

Filed under: Football, Talkin’ bout the Tops