Jon Dowling earns MVP honors in WKU spring game

It didn’t take Jon Dowling long to show Western Kentucky it got prize package when he decided to transfer from Florida.

The former Southeast High star earned MVP honors in WKU’s spring game Saturday doing what he does best___ Intercepting passes.

The defensive back made the play of the game on his second interception, which he returned for a 34 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter giving his Red Team a 16-10 victory.

It was Dowling’s first live action for WKU after sitting out last season because of NCAA transfer rules and his diversified set of special skills was evident.

The 6-3, 195 pound sophomore picked off WKU starting quarterback Kawaun Jakes in the first quarter and returned it 15 yards. His second interception also came off Jakes with 10 minutes left in the game and accounted for the final score.

Dowling wasn’t the only Manatee County product to shine for the Hilltoppers.

Southeast High grad Boe Brand caught three passes for 22 yards and returned three kickoffs for 63 yards, including a long of 25 yards. His former Southeast teammate, linebacker Terran Williams, was credited with a quarterback hit and had a solo tackle. Palmetto High grad Ty Scott also had one solo tackle.

Former Braden River standout Willie McNeal, who missed all of last season for WKU with a torn ACL, caught one pass for six yards.

Sarasota Riverview High product John Evans, who is fighting for the running back job, had 107 all purpose yards. He ran for 10 yards on three carries, caught five passes for 30 yards and returned two kickoffs for 67 yards.

WKU head coach Willie Taggart, the Manatee High legendary quarterback, was pleased with the effort and job turned in by Dowling.

“All three of the backs did a good job of running. Jonathan Dowling had two picks-one for a touchdown. You always love that,” Taggart said. “Overall both teams did some good things. We still have some work to do, but I am pleased with the progress we made this spring.”

McNeal shines in first year at WKU

Western Kentucky freshman Willie McNeal turned in quite a performance in his first year of collegiate football.

The Braden River High graduate was among the team leaders in six offensive categories and led the Hilltoppers in kick return yardage with 968 yards on 44 returns (22.0 avg) and one touchdown.

McNeal was second on the team in all-purpose yardage with 1,879 yards, which takes into account rushing, receiving, punt return and kickoff return yardage.

The 5-11, 160 pounder was third in receiving with 360 yards (13.8 avg) and fourth in rushing with 77 yards on 17 attempts.

Taggart almost ends nation's longest losing streak

For Willie Taggart these are the times that test a man’s soul.

The Manatee High legend has known a lot of success, but he couldn’t have been feeling more disappointed than last weekend.

In his first year as head coach at Western Kentucky, Taggart inherited a program that had the longest losing streak in the country at 20 games.

It almost ended last Saturday at 25 when his Hilltoppers led 24-7 in the fourth quarter against Louisiana-Monroe. But then everything that could go wrong seemed to go wrong.

ULM scored four touchdowns in the final period to secure a 35-30 victory. A 55-yard interception for a touchdown that pushed its leads to 35-24 was the dagger that sunk into WKU’s heart.

Ironically it was the only turnover for a WKU team that has had ball security problems all season, but it was enough to dash the hopes of Taggart, who wanted to get the victory in front of the WKU home fans.

"We just didn't finish. We were in uncharted waters, but just didn't close the deal," Taggart said after the game. "It's all part of the growing pains we are going through. We made some bad mistakes, but we are going to keep fighting. I told the guys that when you are up, you can't get too high, and you can't get too low when you down.

“We had a game that we were up in, and we didn't handle it well at all. That's part of a growing process for a football team that hasn't won in a while.

The Hilltoppers were able to put together one last drive, going 62 yards in just three plays before Braden River graduate Willie McNeal caught a 13 yard touchdown pass to cut WKU’s deficit to five points. A two-point conversion attempt failed. Then ULM recovered an onsides kick and ran out the clock

McNeal still ranks among the leaders

Despite his struggles last week, Willie McNeal still ranks among the national leaders in All Purpose yardage.

The Western Kentucky freshman is ranked 19th nationally in the FBS (I-A) national rankings averaging 160.75 All-Purpose yards per game.

The Braden River High product still leads the country in kickoff return yardage with 508 yards. Last week in a 24-12 loss to USF, McNeal returned four kickoffs for a total of 80 yards and caught three passes for 55 yards.

McNeal has big spring at WKU

Former Braden River High standout Willie McNeal was named the spring game’s Most Valuable Player at Western Kentucky and finished spring ball as one of the most pleasant surprises in camp.

In the spring game, he ran the ball three times for 83 yards, including a 53 touchdown and caught a 30-yard pass, drawing much praise from new head coach Willie Taggart and former Palmetto High coach Ray Woodie, now an assistant at WKU.

The receiver is considered the biggest surprise for the Hilltoppers and figures to be a big play threat when the season starts. He showed his outstanding talent almost from the beginning.

In the Hilltoppers first full scrimmage back in the beginning of April, McNeal scored on a 25-yard end-around. He then caught back to back 15 yard touchdown passes.

McNeal showed good speed and hands along with the ability to pick up yardage after the catch. The 5-10, 160 pounder has earned his way into the starting lineup.

Woodie, who was in town last weekend on a recruiting trip, said they are expecting big things from McNeal and see him as a game breaker. The coaches are impressed with his talent and work ethic.