LAST TIME OUT
Western Kentucky took its final punch in an 0-12 season, but a 24-20 home loss to Arkansas State might have been another indication of the Hilltoppers potentially inching closer to its new pack of rivals in the Sun Belt Conference.

After a handful of some lopsided outcomes during WKU's first official season as a Football Bowl Subdivision member, it played its final three opponents within three, six and four points. In the game with Arkansas State, Western Kentucky led 20-3 in the third quarter and held Arkansas State to 247 total yards.

Part of the Hilltoppers' downfall was three turnovers, one of their many problems as they finished minus-12 in turnover ratio for the season.

It also marked the program's final game under David Elson, who was fired with three games remaining but finished out the season.

NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN
Western Kentucky brought back a familiar face to lead the program when it replaced Elson with Willie Taggart, a former Hilltopper quarterback and assistant coach. After leaving in 2006, Taggart spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Stanford.

Expect changes both offensively and defensively. When WKU has the football, it will operate from both the shotgun and with the quarterback under center, the latter not being part of the arsenal a year ago.

Timely footnote: Taggart had an internship with the Oakland Raiders when former Nebraska coach Bill Callahan was the Raiders' head coach. Taggart studied the West Coast offense while also doing some work with the quarterbacks.

RUNNING THE SHOW
Taggart didn't immediately give the No. 1 quarterback job right back to Kawaun Jakes. The sophomore still had to earn it despite starting eight games and throwing for 1,516 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

Jakes finished 2009 by completing 12 of 19 passes for 121 yards against Arkansas State, but was intercepted once and sacked seven times. He provides a running threat after having 607 yards in gains a year ago (366 net).

The best thing to happen to Jakes might be junior tailback Bobby Rainey taking another big step for the Hilltoppers. Rainey ran for 939 yards as a sophomore, averaged 6.5 per carry and had at least one 15-yard run in 10 of 12 games.

Jakes also should be better protected by an offensive line that returns four of five starters.

BETTER PLUG SOME HOLES
What do Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and North Texas all have in common? Each hung at least 60 points on Western Kentucky a year ago.

The 63 by Tennessee were probably easiest to swallow, considering the Hilltoppers were opening their first season as an official FBS team before 98,761 at Neyland Stadium.

The 62 at Middle Tennessee and 68 at North Texas, however, were just additional blows landed on a WKU unit that finished 2009 ranked No. 118 in total defense (478.3 yards allowed per game) and No. 119 in scoring defense (39.6 points per game).

One thing to watch: The Hilltoppers will be expanding on the 3-4 package they used last season, and some of it could even be unique.

“One of my goals was to be different,” Taggart said.

— Rich Kaipust

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