Saturday Blitz
Fansided

WKU football looking to continue improvement in 2020

By Aaron Gershon

BOWLING GREEN, KY - OCTOBER 27: Steven Duncan #10 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers runs the ball during the game against the Fiu Golden Panthers on October 27, 2018 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BOWLING GREEN, KY - OCTOBER 27: Steven Duncan #10 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers runs the ball during the game against the Fiu Golden Panthers on October 27, 2018 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
WKU football
Kyle Bailey and Dionte Ruffin, WKU football (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

Experience is back on defense

Only UAB ranked higher than Western Kentucky in total defense among C-USA programs last season. The Hilltoppers finished 24th in the country in total defense, allowing just 335.5 yards per game.

No player made a bigger impact than 2019 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and rising senior DeAngelo Malone. Malone made 11.5 sacks for WKU last season with 99 total tackles, tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. With Malone leading the charge upfront, WKU’s run defense finished 34th in the country.

The team will also return linebacker Kyle Bailey who recorded 109 total tackles last season with three interceptions and safety Antwon Kincade who PFF First Team All-Conference USA honor last season after totaling 84 total tackles and two interceptions.

While the run defense was stout, WKU’s pass defense was even better last season, finishing 28th in the nation. Along with Kincade returning at safety, the team brings back cornerback Devon Key who made 93 tackles last season, Dionté Ruffin, who led the team with nine pass breakups and Trae Meadows who had five.

With much of the talent that led the defense to a nine-win 2019 campaign returning, WKU will likely be even stronger with an already talented

Home/Conference USA