WKU falls to FCS opponent Indiana State, 44-16

Quarterback Kawaun Jakes fumbles the football while being sacked by Indiana State defensive linebacker Lawrence Young in the second quarter at Smith Stadium.

Brad Stephens

Head Coach Willie Taggart warned all week that Football Championship Subdivision opponent Indiana State wouldn’t be a pushover.

A 44-16 Sycamore beating of WKU Saturday at Smith Stadium proved Taggart right.

Indiana State dominated the Toppers (0-3), including 221 yards from scrimmage from running back Shakir Bell.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Doughty got the start for WKU but was knocked out of the game after a third-down scramble on the team’s first offensive drive.

He was replaced by junior Kawaun Jakes.

The Sycamores got on the board in the first quarter when receiver Justin Hilton toed the back line of the end zone on a touch pass from quarterback Ronnie Fouch.

After a second-quarter WKU field goal, Bell ran for a 46-yard touchdown that gave the Sycamores a 14-3 lead.

The Toppers had a chance to score before the end of the first half, with the ball on the ISU 24-yard line.

But Jakes was intercepted by defensive back Larry Carter, whose long return set up an ISU field goal.

The Sycamores stretched the lead to 24-3 in the third quarter on a 27-yard pitch and catch from Fouch to Hilton over senior WKU cornerback Derrius Brooks.

After a Sycamore field goal, Fouch hit tight end Alex Jones to push the lead to 34-3.

WKU added two scores late in the third quarter, but couldn’t overcome the deficit. 

It was the second home loss for the Toppers to an FCS opponent in the last three years (Central Arkansas in 2009).