Game notes
The Kentucky Wesleyan College football team will look to bounce back from its winless 2013 campaign when the Panthers open the season on the road against Kentucky State on Thursday.
In last year's meeting in Owensboro, the Thorobreds claimed a 42-6 victory over KWC to begin the year. Kentucky State racked up 269 yards and five touchdowns on the ground while limiting the Panthers to just 15 yards rushing and no touchdowns. In total yardage, the Thorobreds held a 444-179 advantage. Kentucky State went on to finish the year at 5-5.
Returning under center for KWC is junior quarterback Dalton Oliver, a 6-foot-3, 190-pounder from Muhlenberg County. Oliver completed 80-of-145 passes last season for 973 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions.
Meanwhile, the Thorobreds will get back running back Jacquise Lockett, who ran for 1,095 yards and 16 scores a year ago. Also returning is quarterback Adam Robinson, who completed 108-of-187 passes for 1,346 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2013.
According to KWC coach Brent Holsclaw, entering his 12th season at the helm, the game will come down to ball security.
"We've got to execute," he said. "I think the team that doesn't turn the ball over is the team that wins the game. In opening games, typically — if you look at the trend in the first week of Division I ball — teams that aren't turning the ball over are victorious at the end of the game.
"We've got to secure the football. We've worked on that since day one, and hopefully we can create some turnovers on defense."
