PREVIEW: UTSA at WKU (Senior Day)

Joel German hops on the back of Willie McNeal after a hail mary touchdown reception at the end of the first half of Saturday’s game against Army at Houchens-Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Ky. Nick Wagner/HERALD

Herald Sports Staff

Texas-San Antonio (3-7, 2-4 Conference USA) at Western Kentucky (5-5, 2-4 C-USA)

KICKOFF: 11 a.m. CT

BROADCAST: Fox Sports Network, 105.3 FM (IMG Sports Network)

ODDS: WKU -8 (Vegas Insider)

SERIES: Never met

WHAT’S AT STAKE: A WKU win would make the Hilltoppers bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive season…WKU looks for its fourth straight win at Smith Stadium on Senior Day…UTSA aims for consecutive wins for the first time this season.

KEY MATCHUP:

WKU Offense vs. UTSA Defense – It’s a battle of strength versus strength. WKU’s offense, ranked second in Conference USA in scoring and total offense, matches up against the league’s second best defense in scoring and third best defense in yards allowed. The Roadrunners have only allowed 23.9 points and 354 yards per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

WKU – RB Leon Allen: Coming off a Conference USA record 345 yards rushing in WKU’s 52-24 win over Army, the junior running back sealed his worth as a multi-purpose athlete. The Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week’s total against the Black Knights puts him over the 1,000-yard mark with 1,185. He’s also caught 38 passes for 315 yards this season.

UTSA – K Sean Ianno: The senior kicker made four field goals in the Roadrunners 12-10 win over Southern Miss last Thursday. Ianno has made 17 of 21 FG attempts (81 percent) with a career-long 53-yarder Sept. 27 against Florida Atlantic.

FACTS & FIGURES:

WKU is searching for its best home winning percentage since going 5-0 at Smith Stadium in 2004…The Hilltoppers continue to dominate the month of November, winning six of its last seven games played in the month, including 10 of its last 15…WKU is riding a four-game win streak against Texas schools dating back to 2011.