Tops expect challenge from CMU defense

Published 10:21 am Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Wide receiver Joel German catches a pass during practice on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014. (Austin Anthony/Daily News)

The Western Kentucky offense has been truly shut down only once this season. The possibility of that happening for a second instance looms as the Hilltoppers (7-5) survey a Central Michigan defense that is one of the best in the nation.

That’s the featured matchup Dec. 24 when WKU takes on CMU in the Bahamas Bowl. The Tops bring college football’s third-ranked passing offense and sixth-ranked total offense into the contest against a Chippewas defense that ranks 16th overall and 18th against the run.

Email newsletter signup

“They’re very solid. We’re going to have to play our best game,” WKU offensive coordinator Tyson Helton said. “We’ve got to be able to make big plays like we’ve been able to do all year and win outside. (The) running back’s going to need to get his touches and run the rock hard so we can set up some play-actions and do what we do.”

Central Michigan hasn’t allowed more than 500 yards of offense in a game this season, and the 369 yards passing by Miami (Ohio) quarterback Andrew Hendrix is a season high against the CMU pass defense. WKU quarterback Brandon Doughty threw for more than 369 yards in five games this season.

The Chippewas also allowed just two teams, Syracuse and Toledo, to rush for more than 200 yards against them this year.

Most Popular

Four opponents – Ohio, Buffalo, Ball State and Eastern Michigan – were held to 89 yards or less on the ground.

Senior linebacker Justin Cherocci leads CMU with 107 tackles – seven for a loss – and has four sacks. Sophomore defensive end Joe Ostman and junior defensive back Brandon Greer have combined for 21½ tackles for loss and seven sacks and Greer, and sophomore defensive back Tony Annese have three interceptions each.

CMU has forced 17 fumbles (recovering 14) and picked off 14 passes.

Schematically, CMU bases out of a 4-2-5 defense and relies on the aggressiveness and speed of the secondary. The unit’s ability to bend but not break will challenge WKU in short-yardage and red zone situations.

“They’re not complicated. They’re going to line up, play, be a sound defense,” Helton said. “They’re not going to try and trick you, not going to let the ball be thrown over their head. They’re going to try to make you go the distance and see if they can hold you.”

The Hilltoppers must guard against the complacency in simply thinking their offense is good enough to dominate every defense. Coach Jeff Brohm also knows that there will be no secrets going in and that he and his staff must create some new looks to expose the CMU defense.

“We’ve looked at other teams that have played, not only Central Michigan, but that type of style of defense, and had success with it,” he said. “So we’ll definitely try to add a few new wrinkles on offense. I think we’re going to need to. I think they’ll be very prepared for us.”

JUCO signing day

Today is the first day that junior college players can sign a national letter of intent, the first step toward transferring to a new program in January.

WKU is expected to sign one player today – Sidney Hammond, a 6-foot-2, 255-pound defensive lineman who played last season at Dodge City Community College in Kansas, where he was third on the team with 51 tackles.

Hammond also recorded a sack, made seven tackles for loss and forced a fumble. He’s originally from Kennesaw, Ga., and played his senior season at Kennesaw Mountain High School in 2012. Hammond reportedly has offers from WKU, Kennesaw State, Southern Mississippi, Houston and Central Arkansas.

— Follow Western Kentucky University football reporter Chad Bishop on Twitter at twitter.com/MrChadBishop or visit bgdailynews.com.