The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Western Kentucky enjoying dream season

Of the 32 head coaches, sports information directors and sportswriters voting in the Gateway Conference preseason poll, Western Kentucky was only able to convince one person it stood a chance to win the conference title.

The Hilltoppers, picked to finish third in the Gateway in the preseason, went to then Division I-A No. 12 Kansas State for their first game of the season with little fanfare - and came out with a whole heap of respect.

Western Kentucky lost by only 14 points on the road to one of the best teams in the nation, and has been on fire ever since.

The Hilltoppers (5-1) have won four in a row and have won by an average of nearly 26 points in those four games. Head coach David Elson said he would not go as far as to call this season wonderful, but he been pleased with what he's seen - especially given the youth of his team.

"It's been good. I feel good about the fact that we're a young football team," said Elson, who also pointed out that his team has only eight seniors, and 70 percent of the team has at least a couple years of eligibility left.

Western Kentucky may be young, but it will be a formidable opponent Saturday in what is expected to be one of the biggest games in SIU history, and could prove to be one of the greatest games in the MVC.

The Hilltoppers, now No. 4 in I-AA, come to Carbondale boasting a resume similar to that of No. 1 SIU, and don't seem far removed from the national championship team of two years ago.

They played well on the road against a Division I-AA opponent, narrowly defeated Northern Iowa and destroyed Youngstown State, just like the Salukis. They also pride themselves on running the ball and stopping the run - just like the Salukis.

"There are a lot of similarities, and I think we both have very good football teams," said SIU head coach Jerry Kill.

Western Kentucky's bread and butter this season, as always, has been defense. The Hilltoppers' defense gives up a mere 12.8 points per game, slightly less stingy than the Salukis, who give up 12.2 points per game.

Despite the scoring numbers, though, Western Kentucky will give up yardage. The defense is giving up 348 yards per game, but manage to keep opponents off the scoreboard by clamping down in the red zone.

The Hilltoppers also have a ton of playmakers on defense, forcing 4.2 turnovers per game and sealing last week's victory over Northern Iowa with an interception. They now have more interceptions through five games than they did all of last season, and senior cornerback Antonio Thomas has five interceptions by himself.

Western Kentucky will be looking for big plays Saturday, and are intent on removing SIU from its perch at No. 1.

"We feel very good about where we're at right now, and ultimately, this is where you want to be," Elson said. "We're 2-0 in the conference, and the next step is Southern Illinois."