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NOV 9 CONFERENCE USA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: WKU senior DL DeAngelo Malone recorded season-highs in total tackles (12), quarterback hurries (3) and sacks (2.0) in WKU's matchup at Florida Atlantic. His two sacks were the most by a Conference USA player over the weekend and resulted in 14 yards of loss for the Owls, while one of his quarterback hurries led to an interception for the Hilltoppers. For the season, Malone currently ranks first on the team in both tackles for loss (9.0) and sacks (4.0), while ranking fourth in total tackles (53). - Conference USA Football

(DS#10 OLB) rSr/2022

OLB DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky
News Source: Conference USA Football
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10/16/20 - Markese Stepp, rSr/2024, Western Kentucky, 6-0, 229 (DS#90 RB) + More +

As injuries ravaged its backfield last season, four running backs factored seriously into USC's rushing rotation. What role those four backs will play this season remains a mystery. Redshirt senior Vavae Malepeai, who struggled with a lingering knee injury last season, tweaked his hamstring and has been limited in camp. His injury is "going to take a little time," Helton said. USC defenseman Jay Tufele with his sister Noreen after a football game. The news is more positive for redshirt sophomore Markese Stepp, who remains limited but has begun to cut and maneuver on his injured ankle. Stepp was the most effective running back on USC's offense last season, averaging 6.4 yards per carry over six games before injuring his ankle. "He's one that we'll gauge over these next four weeks, but just early signs, he looks healthy," Helton said of Stepp. - Los Angeles Times

(DS#90 RB) rSr/2024

RB Markese Stepp, Western Kentucky
News Source: Los Angeles Times
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10/07/20 - DeAngelo Malone, rSr/2022, Western Kentucky, 6-3, 239 (DS#10 OLB) + More +

As Marshall's offense starts to watch film of Western Kentucky, there will be one player who stands out during the film session. That player is Western Kentucky defensive end DeAngelo Malone, and he stands out for good reason. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound senior from Atlanta, Georgia, has made a career out of living in the offensive backfield during his time with the Hilltoppers. Malone is a combination of speed and power off the edge that has proven to be a nightmare for the opposition to handle. Such was the case again on Saturday when Malone instantly got the game's defensive tone kicked off with a sack of Middle Tennessee quarterback Asher O'Hara before later blocking a field goal in the Hilltoppers' 20-17 road win over the Blue Raiders.

Malone had the Herd's attention as much as any Western Kentucky player over the last two weeks as they prepared for this week's contest against the Hilltoppers. "We're preparing for him as much anyone," Marshall offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey said. "I think he's a really good player." Last season, Malone won the league's Defensive Player of the Year honors after a statistical year that rivaled many in C-USA history. Malone finished with 21 tackles for loss, including 11 sacks, while notching 99 total tackles on the year. - Charleston Gazette

(DS#10 OLB) rSr/2022

OLB DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky
News Source: Charleston Gazette
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10/05/20 - Willie Taggart Jr., rSr/2026, Western Kentucky, 6-1, 180 (DS#999 WR) + More +

With the start of the season, FAU Willie Taggart and his son - Willie Taggart, Jr. - became the sixth current father-son, head coach-player duo at the same FBS school. "What's weird sometimes is when he calls me coach," Taggart said entering the season. "For 18 years I've been getting "dad", and now it's "coach". It's like "what are you doing buddy?" Other than that, it's no different." - Sun-Sentinel

(DS#999 WR) rSr/2026

WR Willie Taggart Jr., Western Kentucky
News Source: Sun-Sentinel
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10/03/20 - Bailey Zappe, rSr/2022, Western Kentucky, 6-1, 217 (DS#8 QB) + More +

Bailey Zappe threw for three touchdowns, Houston Baptist blocked a late PAT for a two-point conversion and the Huskies' completed their four-game season with a 33-30 win over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. EKU rallied from a 21-point halftime deficit to get within one with just over four minutes remaining after Parker McKinney threw a 27-yard score to Keyion Dixon. But the point-after kick was blocked and Tra Fluellen, who also had an interception, returned it for two points. The Colonels (1-3) got the ball back with 2:22 remaining but McKinney fumbled on a scramble. Zappe, who came in as the Division I passing leader with 1,453 yards and 12 touchdowns, was 35 of 46 for 380 yards. The senior's season is over, though, with the Huskies' finishing with a win after losing to three FBS schools. HBU has opted out of the Southland Conference spring season. - AP College Football

(DS#8 QB) rSr/2022

QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
News Source: AP College Football
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10/01/20 - DeAngelo Malone, rSr/2022, Western Kentucky, 6-3, 239 (DS#10 OLB) + More +

While DeAngelo Malone has been solid to start the season (17 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble), the Hilltoppers defense has not lived up to the preseason hype so far. Western Kentucky has struggled is against the run. The Hilltoppers have one of the worst rushing defenses in the country, ranking 68th overall and gives up an average of 249 yards per game. In their season-opener against Louisville, the Cardinals rushed for 183 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That was nothing compared to what Liberty did a week later. The Flames had no issues against the Hilltoppers as they rushed for 354 yards and four touchdowns. Liberty quarterback Malik Willis led the attack with 168 yards and three touchdowns. - Daily News Journal

(DS#10 OLB) rSr/2022

OLB DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky
News Source: Daily News Journal
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09/21/20 - Jamale Carothers, rSr/2023, Western Kentucky, 5-09, 200 (DS#999 RB) + More +

The Navy Midshipmen overcame a 24-point second-half deficit to post the biggest comeback in school history, stealing a 27-24 win at Tulane. Bijan Nichols' 33-yard field goal as time expired helped Navy (1-1) even its record and earn the Reveal Suits National Team of the Week honor for games of the weekend of Sept. 19 as selected by the Football Writers Association of America. This is the fifth time for Navy to earn the Team of the Week honor and the first since 2016. All Division I FBS and FCS schools are eligible to be selected. This is the 19th season for the FWAA to award a Team of the Week.

Navy ran just two plays in Tulane territory in the first half and looked as if it might suffer another blowout, trailing 24-0 at halftime after falling 55-3 to BYU in its opener. An interception deep in its own territory turned the game when Cameron Kinley picked off a pass at the Navy 3-yard line. Navy found its offensive rhythm from there, scoring 16 points in the last parts of the third quarter on two short Nelson Smith touchdowns and a safety. Navy outgained Tulane 291-82 in the second half. Tulane left the door open with five minutes left, failing to convert a fourth-down pass at the Navy 32. Navy drove to the Tulane 16 from there to set up Nichols' kick. Jamale Carothers rushed for 127 yards on 25 carries, and quarterback Dalen Morris, the starter in the opener but coming off the bench to replace Myles Fells here, used six completions to gain 139 yards and a touchdown. - American Athletic Conference Football

(DS#999 RB) rSr/2023

RB Jamale Carothers, Western Kentucky
News Source: American Athletic Conference Football
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09/19/20 - Jamale Carothers, rSr/2023, Western Kentucky, 5-09, 200 (DS#999 RB) + More +

Jamale Carothers rushed for 125 yards, Bijan Nichols kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired, and Navy staged a school-record 24-point comeback in the second half to beat Tulane 27-24 on Saturday. Navy (1-1, 1-0 American), which lost its opener 55-3 to BYU, ran just two plays in Tulane territory in the first half and looked in danger of being blown out again late in the second quarter. Tulane (1-1, 0-1) was threatening to build on a 24-0 lead before Cameron Kinley intercepted Tulane quarterback Keon Howard at the Navy 3. The turnover looked far more consequential as the game wore on and Navy stunningly seized control of the game in the second half, when the Midshipmen outgained the Green Wave 291 yards to 82.

In the last seven minutes of the third quarter, the Midshipmen scored 16 points on two short Nelson Smith touchdowns and a safety. They tied it on Dalen Morris' 32-yard touchdown pass to Mychal Cooper, followed by a 2-point conversion early in the fourth quarter. Tulane looked primed to regain the lead with about five minutes left, but elected to throw a deep pass, which fell incomplete, on fourth-and-3 from the Navy 32. Navy kept the ball from there, driving in rainy conditions to the Tulane 16 before kicking for the win. - AP College Football

(DS#999 RB) rSr/2023

RB Jamale Carothers, Western Kentucky
News Source: AP College Football
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09/17/20 - John Haggerty III, rSr/2022, Western Kentucky, 6-5, 220 (DS#6 P) + More +

Western Kentucky senior John Haggerty was named the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week for his performance against Louisville, the organization announced Tuesday. The honor marks the first time that a Hilltopper has earned the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week since Nov. 7, 2018, when Alex Rinella received the recognition for his performance in a game against Middle Tennessee. In Saturday's loss to the Cardinals, Haggerty punted five times for a total of 231 yards, equaling out to a gross average of 46.2 yards per punt. Only one of his punts were returned, for 7 yards, which put his net average at 44.8 yards per punt.

Haggerty's longest punt of the night was a 55-yarder, and three of his five punts were either downed or fair caught inside the 20-yard line. "I was really proud of our special teams," WKU head coach Tyson Helton said Monday. "I thought they did a great job in the game. Our punter, John Haggerty, was fabulous with a 46-yard average and to be able to change field position over and over." Haggerty had already earned multiple honors leading up to the start of the 2020 season, being voted the Conference USA Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year while also being named to the Preseason All-Conference USA First Team by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. - BG Daily News

(DS#6 P) rSr/2022

P John Haggerty III, Western Kentucky
News Source: BG Daily News
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09/13/20 - Bailey Zappe, rSr/2022, Western Kentucky, 6-1, 217 (DS#8 QB) + More +

Texas Tech's Alan Bowman was 38 of 52 for 430 yards with two TDs and an interception against FCS Houston Baptist. The Red Raiders hung on to win 35-33, but Bowman was overshadowed by Houston Baptist's Bailey Zappe. The Huskies' fourth-year starter threw for 567 yards and four touchdowns in his team's first game against a Power Five opponent. Last week, Zappe threw for 480 yards and three TDs in a loss to North Texas. - AP College Football

(DS#8 QB) rSr/2022

QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
News Source: AP College Football
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09/08/20 - DeAngelo Malone, rSr/2022, Western Kentucky, 6-3, 239 (DS#10 OLB) + More +

2021 SENIOR BOWL WATCH LIST: DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky,...During the 2019 season, Malone anchored the top scoring defense in the conference while tying for fourth in the country with 21.0 tackles for loss and tying for 11th in the nation with 11.5 sacks. The Atlanta, Ga., native set the WKU FBS Era (since 2009) record in tackles for loss, while becoming only the fourth defender in school history with double-digit quarterback takedowns. - WKU Football

(DS#10 OLB) rSr/2022

OLB DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky
News Source: WKU Football
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09/07/20 - Jamale Carothers, rSr/2023, Western Kentucky, 5-09, 200 (DS#999 RB) + More +

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jamale Carothers was a revelation for the Mids at fullback in 2019 after moving there from slot back. The 2016 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year and Kentucky's Mr. Football his senior year started the year on the JV team and played against Jireh Prep in the junior varsity opener. Carothers averaged 6.6 yards per carry, which was the seventh-best rushing average in the FBS in 2019. - Navy Football

(DS#999 RB) rSr/2023

RB Jamale Carothers, Western Kentucky
News Source: Navy Football
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09/05/20 - Bailey Zappe, rSr/2022, Western Kentucky, 6-1, 217 (DS#8 QB) + More +

HBU features one of the best quarterbacks playing on the Football Championship Subdivision level in Bailey Zappe. The senior was a second-team selection on the HERO Sports Preseason All-America team. Zappe threw for 3,811 yards and 35 touchdowns last season. Jerreth Sterns and Ben Ratzlaff are Zappe's favorite targets. Sterns caught 105 passes last season, while Ratzlaff finished with 1,139 receiving yards. That trio will challenge UNT in its first game under new defensive coordinator Clint Bowen. The former Kansas assistant will employ a defense with a three-man front. He has several key players returning to work with, including defensive tackle Dion Novil as well as linebackers KD Davis and Tyreke Davis. - Denton Record

(DS#8 QB) rSr/2022

QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
News Source: Denton Record
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09/04/20 - Jamale Carothers, rSr/2023, Western Kentucky, 5-09, 200 (DS#999 RB) + More +

Navy football has been blessed with a few terrific fullback combinations during the current triple-option era. Adam Ballard and Eric Kettani shared the position for two seasons (2006, 2007), while Noah Copeland and Chris Swain formed a dangerous duo from 2012 through 2014. The Midshipmen enter the 2020 campaign with a pairing that could prove quite productive. Jamale Carothers and Nelson Smith split time at fullback last season and rushed for a combined 1,305 yards and 21 touchdowns. Fullbacks coach Jason MacDonald thinks both Carothers and Smith will be even better based off experience and a better understanding of Navy's system. McDonald smiled broadly when asked how much time he's spent thinking about the best way to utilize the one-two punch. "More than I would have liked. Things like that consume your mind and you tend to overthink more than you should," MacDonald said. "With the balance they've had in practice, I think we're headed right where we want to be." Having two talented fullbacks leads to increased competition. Carothers and Smith have become close friends while challenging each other. "Me and Nelson have a great relationship. We push each other every day in practice and try to complement each other as best we can," Carothers said. "We both know we have to come out every day and produce. Every day I'm motivated to get better." - Capital Times

(DS#999 RB) rSr/2023

RB Jamale Carothers, Western Kentucky
News Source: Capital Times
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08/29/20 - DeAngelo Wilson, rSr/2022, Western Kentucky, 5-08, 175 (DS#999 WR) + More +

GUARDIAN FCS KICKOFF PLAYERS TO WATCH: DeAngelo Wilson, WR,...Wide receiver DeAngelo Wilson was named the Ohio Valley Conference’s 2020 Preaseason Offensive Player of the Year in July. He was a Second Team All-OVC pick in 2019 after he caught 89 passes (the ninth-most in OVC history) for 1,564 yards (first nationally and the second-most in OVC history) and 15 touchdowns (fifth-most in OVC history). Wilson was named to the HERO Sports Preseason All-America team. - Austin Peay Football

(DS#999 WR) rSr/2022

WR DeAngelo Wilson, Western Kentucky
News Source: Austin Peay Football
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