Bowl bid may depend on improved pass defense as Blue Hens visit WKU
· Yahoo Sports
Western Kentucky has thrown more passes than any Conference USA team.
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Delaware has allowed more yards in the air than any CUSA defense.
That is just one of the challenges facing the Blue Hens (3-4, 1-2) in their trip to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to face the Hilltoppers (3-4, 2-1) Oct. 27.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. (CBS Sports Network).
Delaware is coming off a satisfying 61-38 win over Missouri State. A 30-0 second-half run was fueled by three defensive takeaways.
But the Blue Hens had fallen behind on several occasions because of the Bears’ ability to throw the football downfield, especially to Isaiah Myers, the conference’s leading receiver.
In seven games, Delaware has now allowed 23 pass plays of 20 yards or more.
“It’s something we’re concerned about,” Delaware coach Ryan Carty said.
Myers had 11 catches for 242 yards and two TDs. That included 36-, 31-, 22-, 47- and 47-yard receptions.
“Some of those,” Carty said, “they had the right call up to some our defenses, and some of them were a kid making a great play.”
Being in the right defense was also critical. Carty added that Delaware eventually “settled in and [varied] some looks back there” that were beneficial and was also trying to get the right personnel on the field for better matchups.
“A bunch of teams this year in this league have really good skill players,” Carty said, “so we have to match up well against them.”
Delaware is often doing that in its secondary with younger players, but it’s an area the Hens know they have to improve.
They rank 10th among the 10 CUSA teams allowing 1,892 passing yards, 270.3 passing yards per game and 7.9 yards per pass attempt. The Hens are ninth in defensive pass efficiency.
“This week,” cornerback Kshawn Cox Jr. said, “we’re focusing on limiting X plays. … That’s been a real point of emphasis.”
That has included, Cox added, “getting our eyes set and focused on the right things before the play, looking at the keys, just make sure we communicate.”
Western Kentucky does rank last in offensive pass efficiency and doesn’t have any receivers among the league’s top 20 in yards per catch.
Expected starting quarterback Brock Glenn has completed just 52% of his passes, though his dual-threat ability as a runner will challenge Delaware.
The Blue Hens do lead CUSA in sacks with 18 and are fourth in rushing defense.
With that, Carty said, “You’re going to put some guys on an island back there” in the secondary who could be susceptible.
In what could be a pivotal outcome in Delaware’s quest to earn bowl eligibility at WKU, how well the Hens defend the long ball could be decisive.
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Bowl bid may depend on improved pass defense as Blue Hens visit WKU