2002 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

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2002 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
NCAA Division I-AA champion
Gateway co-champion
ConferenceGateway Football Conference
Ranking
Sports NetworkNo. 1
Record12–3 (7–1 Gateway)
Head coach
Co-offensive coordinatorWillie Taggart (2nd season)
Co-offensive coordinatorKeven Lightner (2nd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorDavid Elson (2nd season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumL. T. Smith Stadium
Seasons
← 2001
2003 →
2002 Gateway Football Conference standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 1 Western Kentucky +^   6 – 1     12 – 3  
No. 5 Western Illinois +^   6 – 1     11 – 2  
Youngstown State   4 – 3     7 – 4  
Illinois State   4 – 3     6 – 5  
Indiana State   3 – 4     5 – 7  
Northern Iowa   2 – 5     5 – 6  
Southern Illinois   2 – 5     4 – 8  
Southwest Missouri State
   1 – 6     4 – 7  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant
Rankings from The Sports Network poll

The 2002 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University in the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA football season and were led by head coach Jack Harbaugh in his 14th and final season as head coach. They claimed a share of the Gateway Football Conference championship and made the school's third straight appearance in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.[1] After a rocky start, the team rallied to win their last 10 games including the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game, beating McNeese State, 34–14, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Hilltoppers finished the season ranked number 1 in both final 1AA postseason national polls.[2]

This team won the school's first NCAA team championship and tied the program record for victories in a season set by the 1973 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team. Their roster included future National Football League (NFL) players Sherrod Coates, Jeremi Johnson, and Brian Claybourn, and future NFL coach Jason Michael. Coates, Chris Price, and Buster Ashley were named to the AP All American team and Harbuagh was named AFCA Coach of the Year Award. The All Conference team included Ashley, Coates, Price, Jeremy Chandler, Erik Dandy, Jon Frazier, and Daniel Withrow.[3]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
August 316:10 pmat Kansas State*No. 18
L 3–4845,844
September 75:30 pm
L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
    		• W 49–09,500
    September 141:30 pmWestern IllinoisNo. 21
    • L. T. Smith Stadium
    • Bowling Green, KY
    		L 0–146,000[4]
    September 215:30 pmNo. 11 Youngstown State
    • L. T. Smith Stadium
    • Bowling Green, KY
    		W 13–710,100
    September 287:00 pmat No. 2 McNeese State*No. 25
    		L 13–3816,840
    October 54:05 pmat No. 6 Northern Iowa
    		W 31–1214,684
    October 125:30 pmFIU*
    • L. T. Smith Stadium
    • Bowling Green, KY
    		W 56–76,000
    October 191:30 pmat
    Plaster Sports Complex
  • Springfield, MO
    		• W 31–713,002
    October 264:30 pmIndiana StatedaggerNo. 22
    • L. T. Smith Stadium
    • Bowling Green, KY
    		W 24–711,200
    November 24:30 pmIllinois StateNo. 19
    • L. T. Smith Stadium
    • Bowling Green, KY
    		W 9–05,600[5]
    November 161:30 pmat Southern IllinoisNo. 15
    		W 48–163,203[6]
    November 301:00 pmNo. 23 Murray State*No. 15
    		W 59–203,300
    December 71:00 pmat No. 3 Western Illinois*No. 15
    		W 31–283,300[7]
    December 141:05 pmat No. 2 Georgia Southern*No. 15
    		W 31–286,573
    December 205:30 pmvs. No. 1 McNeese State*No. 15
    		W 34–1412,360

    Rankings

    Further information: 2002 NCAA Division I-AA football rankings
    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
    RV = Received votes ( ) = First-place votes
    Week
    PollPre12345678910111213Final
    The Sports Network182221RV25RVRVRV2422191515151 (41)

    Game summaries

    At Kansas State

    See also: 2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team
    No. 18 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Kansas State Wildcats – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 18 Hilltoppers 0 0 033
    Wildcats 3 31 7748

    at KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas

    • Date: August 31
    • Game time: 6:10 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Clear, 89 °F (32 °C)
    • Game attendance: 45,844
    • Referee: John Laurie
    • Box score, Recap
    Game information
    First quarter
    • KSU – Joe Rheem 36-yard field goal, 10:26. Wildcats 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 4:34.

    Second quarter

    • KSU – Ayo Saba 2-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 12:57. Wildcats 10–0. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 5:57.
    • KSU – Bobby Walker 73-yard interception return (Joe Rheem kick), 8:56. Wildcats 17–0.
    • KSU – Danny Morris 7-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 4:51. Wildcats 24–0. Drive: 3 plays, 62 yards, 1:01.
    • KSU – Darren Sproles 9-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 3:45. Wildcats 31–0. Drive: 1 play, 9 yards, 0:06.
    • KSU – Joe Rheem 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Wildcats 34–0. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 0:00.

    Third quarter

    • KSU – Ell Roberson 18-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 3:47. Wildcats 41–0. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 4:31.

    Fourth quarter

    • WKU – Peter Martinez 30-yard field goal, 7:18. Wildcats 41–3. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 6:09.
    • KSU – Ayo Saba 2-yard run (Jared Brite kick), 1:27. Wildcats 48–3. Drive: 14 plays, 89 yards, 5:51.
    Statistics WKU KSU
    First downs 12 23
    Total yards 183 412
    Rushing yards 110 240
    Passing yards 73 172
    Turnovers 2 0
    Time of possession 31:55 27:14
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing Jason Michael 7/11, 73 yards, INT
    Rushing Maurice Bradley 19 rushes, 64 yards
    Receiving Casey Rooney 2 receptions, 28 yards
    Kansas State Passing Ell Roberson 4/8, 108 yards
    Rushing Darren Sproles 19 rushes, 135 yards, TD
    Receiving Derrick Evans 3 receptions, 74 yards

    Kentucky State

    Kentucky State Thorobreds at No. 22 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Thorobreds 0 0 000
    No. 22 Hilltoppers 14 17 9949

    at

    L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

    • Date: September 7
    • Game time: 5:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game attendance: 9,500
    Statistics KSU WKU
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Kentucky State Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    Western Illinois

    See also: 2002 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team
    Western Illinois Leathernecks at No. 21 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Leathernecks 7 7 0014
    No. 21 Hilltoppers 0 0 000

    at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

    • Date: September 14
    • Game time: 1:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game attendance: 6,000
    Statistics WIU WKU
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Illinois Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    No. 11 Youngstown State

    No. 11 Youngstown State Penguins at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 11 Penguins 0 7 007
    Hilltoppers 3 7 3013

    at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

    • Date: September 21
    • Game time: 5:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game attendance: 10,100
    Statistics YSU WKU
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Youngstown State Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    At No. 2 McNeese State

    See also: 2002 McNeese State Cowboys football team
    No. 25 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 2 McNeese State Cowboys – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 25 Hilltoppers 0 10 3013
    No. 2 Cowboys 14 7 71038

    at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, Louisiana

    • Date: September 28
    • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
    • Game attendance: 16,840
    Statistics WKU MCN
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    McNeese State Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    At No. 6 Northern Iowa

    See also: 2002 Northern Iowa Panthers football team
    Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 6 Northern Iowa Panthers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Hilltoppers 0 7 101431
    No. 6 Panthers 3 0 3612

    at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, Iowa

    • Date: October 5
    • Game time: 4:05 p.m. CDT
    • Game attendance: 14,684
    Statistics WKU UNI
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Northern Iowa Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    FIU

    See also: 2002 FIU Golden Panthers football team
    FIU Panthers at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Panthers 0 0 077
    Hilltoppers 21 21 01456

    at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

    • Date: October 12
    • Game time: 5:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game attendance: 6,000
    Statistics FIU WKU
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    FIU Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    At Southwest Missouri State

    No. 24 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Southwest Missouri State Bears – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 24 Hilltoppers 7 7 10731
    Bears 7 0 007

    at

    Plaster Sports Complex, Springfield, Missouri

    • Date: October 19
    • Game time: 1:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game attendance: 13,002
    Statistics WKU SMS
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Southwest Missouri State Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    Indiana State

    Indiana State Sycamores at No. 22 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Sycamores 7 0 007
    No. 22 Hilltoppers 10 14 0024

    at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

    • Date: October 26
    • Game time: 4:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game attendance: 11,200
    Statistics INS WKU
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Indiana State Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    Illinois State

    See also: 2002 Illinois State Redbirds football team
    Illinois State Redbirds at No. 19 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Redbirds 0 0 000
    No. 19 Hilltoppers 0 6 309

    at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

    • Date: November 2
    • Game time: 4:30 p.m. CST
    • Game attendance: 5,600
    Statistics ILS WKU
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Illinois State Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    At Southern Illinois

    See also: 2002 Southern Illinois Salukis football team
    No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Southern Illinois Salukis – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 15 Hilltoppers 7 13 141448
    Salukis 3 0 6716

    at Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, Illinois

    • Date: November 16
    • Game time: 1:30 p.m. CST
    • Game attendance: 3,203
    Statistics WKU SIU
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Southern Illinois Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    No. 23 Murray State (NCAA Division I-AA First Round)

    No. 23 Murray State Racers at No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (NCAA Division I-AA First Round) – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 23 Racers 0 14 0620
    No. 15 Hilltoppers 24 14 71459

    at L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

    • Date: November 30
    • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
    • Game attendance: 3,300
    Statistics MUR WKU
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Murray State Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    At No. 3 Western Illinois (NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal)

    No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 3 Western Illinois (NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal) – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 15 Hilltoppers 0 7 71731
    No. 3 Leathernecks 0 14 7728

    at Hanson Field, Macomb, Illinois

    • Date: December 7
    • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
    • Game attendance: 3,300
    Statistics WKU WIU
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Western Illinois Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    At No. 2 Georgia Southern (NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal)

    See also: 2002 Georgia Southern Eagles football team
    No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 2 Georgia Southern Eagles (NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal) – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 15 Hilltoppers 7 10 7731
    No. 2 Eagles 7 0 02128

    at Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, Georgia

    • Date: December 14
    • Game time: 1:05 p.m. CST/2:05 p.m. EST
    • Game attendance: 6,573
    Statistics WKU GSO
    First downs
    Total yards
    Rushing yards
    Passing yards
    Turnovers
    Time of possession
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving
    Georgia Southern Passing
    Rushing
    Receiving

    Vs No. 1 McNeese State (NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game)

    Main article: 2002 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game
    No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. No. 1 McNeese State Cowboys (NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game) – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 15 Hilltoppers 7 10 71034
    No. 1 Cowboys 0 6 8014

    at Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, Tennessee

    Game information
    First quarter
    • WKU – Jeremi Johnson 16-yard pass from Jason Michael (Peter Martinez kick), 9:36. Hilltoppers 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 3:01.

    Second quarter

    • WKU – Jon Frazier 55-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 14:51. Hilltoppers 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 88 yards, 1:53.
    • MCN – John Marino 30-yard field goal, 7:32. Hilltoppers 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:37.
    • WKU – Peter Martinez 40-yard field goal, 4:55. Hilltoppers 17–3. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 2:37.
    • MCN – John Marino 24-yard field goal, 0:07. Hilltoppers 17–6. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 0:48.

    Third quarter

    • WKU – Jon Frazier 14-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 11:03. Hilltoppers 24–6. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:05.
    • MCN – Luke Lawton 15-yard pass from Scott Pendarvis (Scott Pendarvis pass to Jeff Hamilton), 3:49. Hilltoppers 24–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:13.

    Fourth quarter

    • WKU – Jason Michael 2-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 13:49. Hilltoppers 31–14. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 5:00.
    • WKU – Peter Martinez 23-yard field goal, 2:51. Hilltoppers 34–14. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:36.
    Statistics WKU MCN
    First downs 13 26
    Total yards 380 405
    Rushing yards 195 137
    Passing yards 185 268
    Turnovers 1 3
    Time of possession 30:18 29:42
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing Jason Michael 6/10, 185 yards, TD
    Rushing Jon Frazier 27 rushes, 159 yards, 2 TD
    Receiving Jeremi Johnson 3 receptions, 90 yards, TD
    McNeese State Passing Scott Pendarvis 21/38, 244 yards, TD, INT
    Rushing Marcus Trahan 12 rushes, 82 yards
    Receiving B. J. Sams 7 receptions, 69 yards

    References

    1. ^ 2019 MVC Football Records, retrieved 30 April 2020
    2. Newspapers.com.Open access icon
    3. ^ WKU Football Media Guide retrieved 31 March 2020.
    4. Newspapers.com
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    5. Newspapers.com
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    6. Newspapers.com
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    7. Newspapers.com
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