Boe Brand helps Willie Taggart make some history at WKU

What Willie Taggart has done in his second year running the Western Kentucky football program might be classified as something close to a miracle.

Inheriting a program that had lost 20 straight before his arrival, the former Manatee High great has the Hilltoppers on a four game win streak, 4-4 overall and 4-1 in the Sun Belt Conference

Last Saturday's 31-28 overtime victory over Louisiana-Monroe was a game for the ages with 22 points being scored in the final 59 seconds of regulation play.

Taggart got some help from some local guys he recruited. Freshman Boe Brand (see left) from Southeast caught a two-point conversion with 38 seconds left in regulation that enabled WKU to withstand a ULM touchdown with six seconds left that sent the game into overtime.

WKU's final touchdown was set up by a 79 yard kickoff return by another freshman andSarasota Riverview High product John Evans.

Boe Brand tops WKU receivers in collegiate debut

Playing in his first collegiate football game, former Southeast High standout Boe Brand made his presence felt by catching two passes for 33 yards to lead Western Kentucky in receiving yardage.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as WKU dropped a 14-3 decision to Kentucky Thursday night making the second year season of the Willie Taggart rein begin with a loss in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPNU.

Brand's 25 yard catch was the longest one of the night for WKU, which struggled all game with its offense. Brand caught the pass in the second quarter and it gave the Hilltoppers a first down at the Kentucky 21. Unfortunately they missed a 34 yard field goal attempt to the end drive.

Brand also caught an eight yard pass earlier in the second period, which gave WKU a third and two at the Kentucky 24 in a drive that was capped off by 41 yard field goal.

Former Southeast standout Terran Williams, another true freshman, also played in the game at linebacker and on special teams, but did not record any tackles.

"Our defense has been doing this since spring ball. They made the choice to be one of the best defenses in the country, and they came out with that attitude," said Taggart, the former Manatee High quarterback great. "If we play great defense, we will have chance in every game we play just like this game. We're mad that we lost."

Brand and Williams make debut on national television tonight

Southeast High football fans are in for a double treat tonight.

The Seminoles kickoff their 50th season of football tonight at home against Largo in a game that is being televised by Bright House Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Later in the evening former Southeast High standouts Boe Brand and Terran Williams will make their collegiate debut for Western Kentucky when it faces Kentucky in Nashville, Tennessee. The game, to be aired nationally on ESPNU, kicks off at 9:15 p.m.

Brand will start at receiver for the Hilltoppers. Williams, a second team linebacker for WKU, is expected to see action there and on special teams.

Boe Brand now a 3-star prospect

Southeast High receiver Boe Brand recently picked up his first stars, which means he is now an official highly touted recruit. The 6-1, 160 pounder received 3 stars from ESPN, which believes he has the talent to be a success at the next level.

ESPN loves his hands and quickness and calls him an explosive athlete who can take off after the catch or use hi speed to get open. The big question is his durability.

Brand is a popular prospect in the Big East Conference. He has been offered by Big East schools USF and Rutgers and his other BCS offer is from Illinois. He has also been offered by UCF, Bowling Green, FIU and Kent State

During the recent 7 on 7 tournament at IMG, Brand showed a knack for getting open and using his leaping ability to go over the top of defenders to make a catch.

Former Southeast star receiver Peter Warrick, who starred at FSU and was a first round draft choice for Cincinnati, believes Brand is a big time prospect and has all the tools to make an impact on the major college level.

The biggest criticism of Brand is his lack of weight. Listed at 160 pounds, ESPN says he is one of the “skinniest” receivers it has seen in years. However, weight is not much of a factor at that position for a college, which has time to get him bigger. They can redshirt a player for a year, get him in the weight room and beef him up.