Conference USA continues its weeknight schedule Wednesday with Western Kentucky traveling to face Sam Houston State in a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS Sports Network. Both teams enter at 1-1 in league play and a combined 3-7 overall, but the Bearkats have played the toughest schedule in the conference, ranking 76th nationally per Jeff Sagarin, while the Hilltoppers rank 101st after facing Georgia and Indiana in nonconference action.
Offensively, the teams are similar against non-power FBS opponents, with WKU averaging 5.14 yards per play and Sam Houston 5.06. The difference appears on defense, where the Bearkats have allowed 5.83 yards per play compared to the Hilltoppers' 6.37. Sam Houston quarterback Landyn Locke has completed over 66 percent of his passes with an 11-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, though he has been sacked 14 times.
Western Kentucky may be finding its footing behind Florida State transfer Caden Veltkamp, who started last week and threw for 231 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 95 yards on 15 carries. He replaced Rodney Tisdale Jr., who has one rushing yard on 31 carries this season. The Hilltoppers have only six sacks in six games and own the nation's worst run defense, allowing six yards per carry overall and 6.33 against non-power opponents.
That defensive vulnerability could create a favorable matchup for Locke and Sam Houston's running backs, especially with offensive coordinator Phil Longo appearing to make progress with the Bearkats' attack. Weather in Huntsville, Texas, may feature early wind gusts but is expected to calm by game time.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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