WKU Football without Doughty

by:  Hannah Page

The progression of events is always entertaining to me.

SB Nation published an article assigning every FBS team a Pokemon character. Then, things escalated quickly between WKU and Marshall fans. WKU, myself included, relished in the fact that the article described Marshall as having weird fans and wins all of the time because they beat up on weak programs. Marshall fans’ best comeback was “Your Pokemon character is a rat” (never mind that WKU was described as “one of the best in the conferece, built on a deadly offense…”).

Yes, this was a real argument that occurred on Twitter.

You left out wku is represented by a rat https://t.co/qFsvi2k5GV

— Marshall Merritt (@marshallmerritt) February 22, 2016

@MoonShineTD @SBNation is there a pokemon that signifies a one year wonder? Asking for a friend #WKU

— Trace Johnson® (@Trace_Johnson94) February 22, 2016

Then, right on cue, a Marshall fan pulled the “Ya, but WKU will be without their [insert old age] quarterback this year.” If I had a dollar every time one of WKU’s rivals played that card, I would be filthy-stinking-rich. Some rival fans need new content, because their “burns” are getting pretty lame.

@WKURealist @MoonShineTD @Jeffreyfblair @TopsOrTransfer @SBNation We will beat u this year! You are not playing with a 25 year old QB!!!

— Toni Gibbs (@MinSch) February 22, 2016

Now, I am sitting here, writing about WKU without Doughty.

1. Yes, Brandon Doughty is AMAZING, but....

WKU is losing Tyler Higbee, Garrett Schwettman, Jared Dangerfield, Antwane Grant, Nick Holt, Prince Charles Iworah, and Wonderful Terry...just to name a few. Our rivals like to marginalize the fact that WKU has become the team to beat. Instead, and to make themselves feel better, they play pretend and daydream that WKU's success was solely dependent on Doughty.

2. Never mind the players still at WKU

Now, now Marshall fans:  hold your herd (see what I did there?). Before you get too excited and remember that WKU has more players graduating than just Doughty, need I remind you that WKU still has returning players? Nacarius Fant, Nicholas Norris, D'Andre Ferby, TJ McCollum, Taywan Taylor, Forrest Lamp, Ace Wales, Branden Leston, Marcus Ward...I am sure you have heard of them before. But here is a little reminder:

• Taylor (WR) - In 2015 had 1,467 receiving yards (2nd most in CUSA history), 17 TD (4th in CUSA single-season history), and 8 100+ yard games (tied for most in single season in CUSA).
• Norris (WR) - In 2015, he had 5 games with a catch of at least 54 yards and finished the season with 971 receiving yards (3rd most in a single season by a WKU player).
• Wales (RB) - Despite missing early games due to injury, in 2015 he pushed his season tally over 1,000 yards and had 7 100+ yard rushing games.
• Ferby (RB) - As a RS Freshman in 2015, watch what this stud could do:

• McCollum (LB) - Thanks to UAB's sudden and brief elimination of the football program, WKU was extremely fortunate to pick up this guy. 106 total tackles, 69 solo, 37 assists, 3 sacks, and 1 interception during the 2015 campaign. 
• Lamp (OL) - His stellar protection enables WKU's high powered offense to do what they do. He is listed as the #9/166 OT in the nation. 
• Leston (DB) - I have never seen someone play with so much passion. Entertaining as heck to watch. In 2015, Leston racked up 96 total tackles, 70 solo, 26 assists, and 1 interception. In 2014, Leston picked-off Marshall's Rakeem Cato 3 times...in the first-half.

3. Brohm 

I find it humorous that WKU rivals believe that because ONE specific player is gone, the program's future is eternally doomed. Honestly, I was not even worried until some of the coaching staff left. I was quickly reassured of the Tops future when Brohm methodically selected each of the new coaches. Under Petrino, Doughty struggled (2,857 yards, 65.8 CMP%, 14 TD, 14 interceptions, and 19 sacks). It was when Brohm took reigns that he was able to exploit Doughty's amazing, raw, untapped talent:  back-to-back years. So to WKU rivals:  Delight in Doughty's departure in three winks, for Brohm will exploit another quarterback's talent quicker than you can say "WKU will be without their 30 year old QB."

4. The QB Situation

There's no doubt about it, Doughty is one-of-a-kind. Most teams only dream of having a prolific player like Doughty; WKU was the lucky one. 

I will admit, I am just as curious about who will be the next QB as any other college football fanatic. However, some rivals act like WKU's quarterbacks were on the sideline twiddling their thumbs, making out shapes in the clouds while Doughty was slinging the pigskin. Wishful thinking on their end. Think again. Those guys were learning from Doughty, practicing with him, and prepared to be the next man up should Doughty be injured or pulled from the game. What do you think Brock Osweiler was doing while Peyton Manning was playing:  sipping wine and reading a novella? Then, when Peyton was injured, Osweiler delicately placed his glass and book down, and sashayed onto the field? 

There are six guys vying for the QB1 slot. I am confident that at least one of them is capable of getting the job done. Will they be Doughty? No. They will be their own player with their own talent:  willing to work their tail off all for the W.

_____________________

Sure, I will miss Doughty. You better bet I am going to buy a Doughty jersey from whatever team he ends up on. However, I will miss every other departing senior/graduate student, as well. Every team goes through a player departure. We missed Bobby, but we got Antonio. We missed Jack and Mitch, but we got Higbee. So yes, WKU is fully aware that their 6th-year senior Brandon Doughty has completed his collegiate career. We appreciate everything Doughty did for the program and will miss him tremendously, but WKU Football will be fine.

But, that is just my two cents from a brunette whose posts, apparently, sound blonde.