2002 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

Last updated

2002 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
WKU Hilltoppers wordmark.png
NCAA Division I-AA champion
Gateway co-champion
Conference Gateway Football Conference
Ranking
Sports NetworkNo. 1
Record12–3 (7–1 Gateway)
Head coach
Co-offensive coordinator Willie Taggart (2nd season)
Co-offensive coordinatorKeven Lightner (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Multiple
Defensive coordinator David Elson (2nd season)
Base defense 3–4
Home stadium L. T. Smith Stadium
Seasons
←  2001
2003  →
2002 Gateway Football Conference standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 Western Kentucky +^  6 –1   12 –3  
No. 5 Western Illinois +^  6 –1   11 –2  
Youngstown State  4 –3   7 –4  
Illinois State  4 –3   6 –5  
Indiana State  3 –4   5 –7  
Northern Iowa  2 –5   5 –6  
Southern Illinois  2 –5   4 –8  
Southwest Missouri State  1 –6   4 –7  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant
Rankings from The Sports Network poll

The 2002 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University in the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA football season and were led by head coach Jack Harbaugh in his 14th and final season as head coach. They claimed a share of the Gateway Football Conference championship and made the school's third straight appearance in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. [1] After a rocky start, the team rallied to win their last 10 games including the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game, beating McNeese State, 34–14, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Hilltoppers finished the season ranked number 1 in both final 1AA postseason national polls. [2]

Contents

This team won the school's first NCAA team championship and tied the program record for victories in a season set by the 1973 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team. Their roster included future National Football League (NFL) players Sherrod Coates, Jeremi Johnson, and Brian Claybourn, and future NFL coach Jason Michael. Coates, Chris Price, and Buster Ashley were named to the AP All American team and Harbuagh was named AFCA Coach of the Year Award. The All Conference team included Ashley, Coates, Price, Jeremy Chandler, Erik Dandy, Jon Frazier, and Daniel Withrow. [3]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
August 316:10 pmat Kansas State *No. 18
L 3–4845,844
September 75:30 pm Kentucky State *No. 22
W 49–09,500
September 141:30 pm Western Illinois No. 21
  • L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
L 0–146,000 [4]
September 215:30 pmNo. 11 Youngstown State
  • L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
W 13–710,100
September 287:00 pmat No. 2 McNeese State *No. 25
L 13–3816,840
October 54:05 pmat No. 6 Northern Iowa
W 31–1214,684
October 125:30 pm FIU *
  • L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
W 56–76,000
October 191:30 pmat Southwest Missouri State No. 24
W 31–713,002
October 264:30 pm Indiana State Dagger-14-plain.pngNo. 22
  • L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
W 24–711,200
November 24:30 pm Illinois State No. 19
  • L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
W 9–05,600 [5]
November 161:30 pmat Southern Illinois No. 15
W 48–163,203 [6]
November 301:00 pmNo. 23 Murray State *No. 15
W 59–203,300
December 71:00 pmat No. 3 Western Illinois*No. 15
W 31–283,300 [7]
December 141:05 pmat No. 2 Georgia Southern *No. 15
W 31–286,573
December 205:30 pmvs. No. 1 McNeese State*No. 15
W 34–1412,360

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
The Sports Network 182221RV25RVRVRV2422191515151 (41)

Game summaries

At Kansas State

No. 18 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Kansas State Wildcats – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 18 Hilltoppers00033
Wildcats3317748

at KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas

  • Date: August 31
  • Game time: 6:10 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 89 °F (32 °C)
  • Game attendance: 45,844
  • Referee: John Laurie
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • KSU – Joe Rheem 36-yard field goal, 10:26. Wildcats 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 4:34.

Second quarter

  • KSU – Ayo Saba 2-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 12:57. Wildcats 10–0. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 5:57.
  • KSU – Bobby Walker 73-yard interception return (Joe Rheem kick), 8:56. Wildcats 17–0.
  • KSU – Danny Morris 7-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 4:51. Wildcats 24–0. Drive: 3 plays, 62 yards, 1:01.
  • KSU – Darren Sproles 9-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 3:45. Wildcats 31–0. Drive: 1 play, 9 yards, 0:06.
  • KSU – Joe Rheem 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Wildcats 34–0. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 0:00.

Third quarter

  • KSU – Ell Roberson 18-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 3:47. Wildcats 41–0. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 4:31.

Fourth quarter

  • WKU – Peter Martinez 30-yard field goal, 7:18. Wildcats 41–3. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 6:09.
  • KSU – Ayo Saba 2-yard run (Jared Brite kick), 1:27. Wildcats 48–3. Drive: 14 plays, 89 yards, 5:51.
StatisticsWKUKSU
First downs1223
Total yards183412
Rushing yards110240
Passing yards73172
Turnovers20
Time of possession31:5527:14
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western KentuckyPassing Jason Michael 7/11, 73 yards, INT
RushingMaurice Bradley19 rushes, 64 yards
ReceivingCasey Rooney2 receptions, 28 yards
Kansas StatePassing Ell Roberson 4/8, 108 yards
Rushing Darren Sproles 19 rushes, 135 yards, TD
ReceivingDerrick Evans3 receptions, 74 yards

Kentucky State

Kentucky State Thorobreds at No. 22 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Thorobreds00000
No. 22 Hilltoppers14179949

at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

  • Date: September 7
  • Game time: 5:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 9,500
StatisticsKSUWKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kentucky StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Western Illinois

Western Illinois Leathernecks at No. 21 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Leathernecks770014
No. 21 Hilltoppers00000

at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

  • Date: September 14
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 6,000
StatisticsWIUWKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 11 Youngstown State

No. 11 Youngstown State Penguins at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 11 Penguins07007
Hilltoppers373013

at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

  • Date: September 21
  • Game time: 5:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 10,100
StatisticsYSUWKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Youngstown StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

At No. 2 McNeese State

No. 25 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 2 McNeese State Cowboys – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 25 Hilltoppers0103013
No. 2 Cowboys14771038

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, Louisiana

  • Date: September 28
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 16,840
StatisticsWKUMCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
McNeese StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

At No. 6 Northern Iowa

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 6 Northern Iowa Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Hilltoppers07101431
No. 6 Panthers303612

at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, Iowa

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 14,684
StatisticsWKUUNI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

FIU

FIU Panthers at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Panthers00077
Hilltoppers212101456

at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

  • Date: October 12
  • Game time: 5:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 6,000
StatisticsFIUWKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
FIUPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

At Southwest Missouri State

No. 24 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Southwest Missouri State Bears – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 24 Hilltoppers7710731
Bears70007

at Plaster Sports Complex, Springfield, Missouri

  • Date: October 19
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 13,002
StatisticsWKUSMS
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southwest Missouri StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Indiana State

Indiana State Sycamores at No. 22 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Sycamores70007
No. 22 Hilltoppers10140024

at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

  • Date: October 26
  • Game time: 4:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 11,200
StatisticsINSWKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Indiana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Illinois State

Illinois State Redbirds at No. 19 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Redbirds00000
No. 19 Hilltoppers06309

at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

  • Date: November 2
  • Game time: 4:30 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 5,600
StatisticsILSWKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

At Southern Illinois

No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Southern Illinois Salukis – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 15 Hilltoppers713141448
Salukis306716

at Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, Illinois

  • Date: November 16
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 3,203
StatisticsWKUSIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 23 Murray State (NCAA Division I-AA First Round)

No. 23 Murray State Racers at No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (NCAA Division I-AA First Round) – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 23 Racers0140620
No. 15 Hilltoppers241471459

at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

  • Date: November 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 3,300
StatisticsMURWKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Murray StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

At No. 3 Western Illinois (NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal)

No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 3 Western Illinois (NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal) – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 15 Hilltoppers0771731
No. 3 Leathernecks0147728

at Hanson Field, Macomb, Illinois

  • Date: December 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 3,300
StatisticsWKUWIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

At No. 2 Georgia Southern (NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal)

No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 2 Georgia Southern Eagles (NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal) – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 15 Hilltoppers7107731
No. 2 Eagles7002128

at Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, Georgia

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. CST/2:05 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 6,573
StatisticsWKUGSO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Georgia SouthernPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Vs No. 1 McNeese State (NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game)

No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. No. 1 McNeese State Cowboys (NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game) – Game summary
Period1234Total
No. 15 Hilltoppers71071034
No. 1 Cowboys068014

at Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Game information
First quarter
  • WKU – Jeremi Johnson 16-yard pass from Jason Michael (Peter Martinez kick), 9:36. Hilltoppers 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 3:01.

Second quarter

  • WKU – Jon Frazier 55-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 14:51. Hilltoppers 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 88 yards, 1:53.
  • MCN – John Marino 30-yard field goal, 7:32. Hilltoppers 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:37.
  • WKU – Peter Martinez 40-yard field goal, 4:55. Hilltoppers 17–3. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 2:37.
  • MCN – John Marino 24-yard field goal, 0:07. Hilltoppers 17–6. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 0:48.

Third quarter

  • WKU – Jon Frazier 14-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 11:03. Hilltoppers 24–6. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:05.
  • MCN – Luke Lawton 15-yard pass from Scott Pendarvis (Scott Pendarvis pass to Jeff Hamilton), 3:49. Hilltoppers 24–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:13.

Fourth quarter

  • WKU – Jason Michael 2-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 13:49. Hilltoppers 31–14. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 5:00.
  • WKU – Peter Martinez 23-yard field goal, 2:51. Hilltoppers 34–14. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:36.
StatisticsWKUMCN
First downs1326
Total yards380405
Rushing yards195137
Passing yards185268
Turnovers13
Time of possession30:1829:42
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western KentuckyPassingJason Michael6/10, 185 yards, TD
RushingJon Frazier27 rushes, 159 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingJeremi Johnson3 receptions, 90 yards, TD
McNeese StatePassingScott Pendarvis21/38, 244 yards, TD, INT
RushingMarcus Trahan12 rushes, 82 yards
ReceivingB. J. Sams7 receptions, 69 yards

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References

  1. ↑ 2019 MVC Football Records, retrieved 30 April 2020
  2. ↑ "Div. I-AA poll". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, Vermont. December 24, 2002. p. 6B. Retrieved May 20, 2017– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. ↑ WKU Football Media Guide retrieved 31 March 2020.
  4. ↑ Herbst, Rob (September 15, 2021). "Hilltoppers sacked by WIU". The Daily News . p. 1B. Retrieved October 30, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Brown, C. L. (November 3, 2002). "Defense dominates in Western's 9-0 win". The Courier-Journal . p. C9. Retrieved December 7, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Hilltoppers top Salukis for share of league title". The Courier-Journal . November 17, 2002. p. C9. Retrieved January 13, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Jauss, Bill (December 8, 2021). "Kicker's premonition turns into truth". Chicago Tribune . p. 3:5. Retrieved October 30, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
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