Gameday: WKU vs. ULM

Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Alright Hilltopper nation, it’s gameday! After a huge win last week against the Navy Midshipmen, WKU will hit the road with a short week of practice under it’s belt, and will play their second conference game of the season against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks. The game will also be WKU’s second straight nationally televised game, and third such game this season (airing on ESPNU).

The Tops come into this game with an extra chip on their shoulder, as last season’s matchup with ULM was a Hilltopper heartbreaker. The Tops, on homecoming no less, came out firing to a 28-7 lead before allowing ULM to creep back into the game, and eventually, losing on a 2-point conversion, much like the Kentucky game several weeks before, in overtime 43-42. The loss would send WKU into a 2-5 finish to the season (including dropping the Little Caesars’ Pizza Bowl). A disappointing finish to the season, no doubt, but the ULM loss set the tone of disappointment over the final stretch of the year.

Luckily (if that’s how you choose to look at it), WKU has already seemed to have a string of bad luck, with Brandon Doughty’s 5 interception game vs. Tennessee and a last minute loss to South Alabama. Since then, the Tops crushed (as they should have) the Morgan St. Bears, and shocking the Midshipmen, both at home.

Luckily, again, for WKU, ULM will be without their starting QB Kolton Browning, who threw for 308 yards & 2 TD’s, as well as ran for 69 yards & 2 TD’s in last year’s meeting. Browning tore a quad muscle in last weekends loss to Tulane, and is said to be out indefinitely, but it is likely that he will miss the rest of the season. Starting in his place will be sophomore Brayle Brown, who will make his first collegiate start tonight.

The Tops and ‘Hawks will get things underway at 7:30 ET (6:30 in Bowling Green and Monroe) on ESPNU.

Stand up and cheers.