Ohio State Football: JaQues Evans, Hilltopper Defense Looks to Upset Buckeyes at Home
A Week 3 showdown between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will give both schools a chance to build upon their early-season momentum.
Whether the game ends up as a Buckeye domination or a Hilltopper upset, however, is yet to be decided, though a lot would have to go right for Western Kentucky to pull it off. It's safe to say that the Hilltoppers are excited, however.
"Ohio State is certainly one of the most accomplished programs in the history of college football," Western Kentucky AD Todd Stewart said. "Facing a program that has had elite success on a national level like Ohio State is an outstanding opportunity [for us]."
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Excited or not, the Hilltoppers will have to slow down the explosive Ohio State offense in order to earn an early-season win, and to do so they'll need to rely on some of their top defensive playmakers.
Here are three of them, and how they could change the outcome of the game in favor of the Hilltoppers:
OLB JaQues Evans
After entering and exiting the transfer portal, Evans is set to have another strong season. He's the reigning team leader in total tackles and sacks, recording 106 tackles and 8.5 sacks, and has made his presence felt all on fronts.
Whether he's behind the line waiting for a short-running receiver, the player responsible for preventing a breakout run or getting the quarterback on the ground, Evans will be everywhere against the Buckeyes, meaning they'll need to find ways around him if they want to put up the offensive numbers they're used to.
CB Upton Stout
Stout was one of two Hilltoppers to record four interceptions last season, being named a freshman All-American for his secondary performances throughout the year. The young cornerback has a lot of potential, being just a sophomore, and will be looking to make some noise against the Buckeyes' top receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka.
If Ohio State isn't careful, it could find trouble in the passing game, which could give the Hilltoppers the momentum they need to pull off an upset.
S Talique Allen
Allen is another young Hilltopper entering his second season with the team. Last year, he recorded just under 50 total tackles but will have a chance to step into a much larger role with the turnover that occurred over the offseason.
Whether it's a breakout season or not for the safety has yet to be seen, but if there's any game he'll be putting in extra effort, it'll be against the high-powered Buckeyes, making him another secondary threat looking to slow down Ohio State.
