Doughty takes over for Fishback at quarterback during first half

WKU junior quarterback Brandon Doughty takes practices reps in preparation for Saturday’s game against rival Kentucky. Doughty is replacing three year starter Kawaun Jakes. Ian Maule/Herald

Lucas Aulbach

The Toppers have done a little adjusting with their quarterback situation through the first 30 minutes of today’s game.

Sophomore Nelson Fishback and junior Brandon Doughty split time during the first half of the Homecoming football game against Troy — Fishback finished the half 2-of-3 for 12 yards, while Doughty went 15-of-23 for 196 yards.

Fishback, a junior college transfer in the first year with the Toppers, got the starting nod. He went 2-of-3 for 12 yards through the first two series of the game and led WKU to a field goal on the first drive.

Doughty replaced Fishback for the third series. He completed one pass for 28 yards before he was stripped of the ball by the Troy defense. It was turnover No. 23 for WKU on the year, and the Trojans scored a touchdown on the next series.

Doughty came out for the Toppers on the next series as well. He and the Toppers were on point for his second series, though — he completed 6-of-6 passes, including three to junior wide receiver Willie McNeal, on the drive to lead the Toppers into the end zone to tie the game 10-10 on a run from senior running back Antonio Andrews.

The junior got in a rhythm after that. He stayed in the game for the Toppers for the rest of the half.

WKU currently leads Troy 20-10. The Toppers and Trojans will return to the field after halftime’s Homecoming ceremonies.