Boyd comfortable being leader for WKU

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

BOWLING GREEN — On a blistering hot Saturday afternoon in October, Western Kentucky University linebacker Blake Boyd stretches, does his calisthenics and pre-game drills in preparation to play host to the 25th-ranked Ball State Cardinals at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

After initially committing to the University of Louisville, Boyd, who starred during his high school days at Madisonville-North Hopkins, transferred to WKU, and since joining the team has become one of its defensive leaders.

“I just try to do what I can for the team, play the role I can play,” Boyd said. “If they ask me to be a leader, I want to be a leader for them and be the best that I can.”

Entering Saturday’s contest against the undefeated Cardinals of the Mid-American Conference, Boyd’s 37 tackles led the squad. The game marked the third time this season the Hilltoppers had played a nationally-ranked team, but just the second time the team played at home.

“The schedule we play, I would put it up against any of the top first seven games in the nation with any team,” Boyd said. “Five on the road and in some of the places we played, it’s tough. Being on the road drains you. Seven games into the season, you can ask any college football player, you’re hurting.”

When the Cardinals came to town Saturday, it marked the first time a ranked I-A/Football Bowl Subdivision came to Bowling Green.

Western trailed just 7-0 at halftime, but during the second half Ball State flexed its muscle to break away with a 24-7 victory.

Despite hosting a ranked team, Boyd said the team did not make any unusual adjustments earlier in the week.

“We prepared for them like we prepare for every other team,” he said. “We know they’re a good team. They have a high-powered offense. That was one thing we knew we had to stop, keep them from getting points and get our offense the ball. We didn’t do that enough.”

Boyd was correct in his assessment of Ball State’s offense as the Cardinals amassed 355 total offensive yards, but that was just three more than the Hilltoppers.

During his team’s 27-13 loss to Virginia Tech the previous week, Boyd got a chance to make an impact offensively. In the first half, punter Jeremy Moore faked a kick and threw to Boyd for a 46-yard catch.

The reception turned out to be the longest offensive play for either team. Boyd said it was nice to get the ball for once and relive the days of running the Maroon offense.

“It was great,” he said. “I told them (my team) we’ve always been trying to get me the ball, and I joke with them and they finally did. It just went back to being natural.”