Coach Griff’s Scouting Report: What Western Kentucky’s First Two Games Tell Us About the Hilltoppers

Western Kentucky comes to Bloomington Saturday with an 0-2 record after losses at Nevada and Georgia. It is easy to stop at the final scores. Don’t.

When I’m scouting an opponent, the final score tells me what happened. The film and statistics begin telling me why it happened — and whether Indiana can create the same problems.

Western Kentucky has struggled defensively, particularly against the run. The Hilltoppers have turned the football over, their passing game has not generated enough explosive plays, and their quarterback situation gives Indiana multiple styles to prepare for.

But WKU has also shown a capable running back and enough offensive ability that Bryant Haines’ defense still has things it must respect.

Howard was about development. Western Kentucky should be about refinement.

The Scouting Snapshot

Western Kentucky’s first two games have revealed several clear trends.

WKU Offense

• 17.0 points per game
• 296.0 total yards per game
• 137.0 rushing yards per game
• 159.0 passing yards per game
• 592 total yards
• Six turnovers

WKU Defense

• 59.5 points allowed per game
• 489.5 total yards allowed per game
• 278.5 rushing yards allowed per game
• 557 rushing yards allowed in two games

The most important number for Indiana might be the last one: 557 rushing yards. Nevada and Georgia attacked Western Kentucky differently, but both eventually arrived at the same conclusion: WKU has had trouble controlling the line of scrimmage.

Quarterback Room: Indiana Has to Prepare for Two

Western Kentucky opened the season with Rodney Tisdale Jr. at quarterback. Tisdale took over the WKU offense during the second half of 2025 and started the final six games, earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors. He threw for 1,432 yards and nine touchdowns while completing 65.6 percent of his passes last season.

Rodney Tisdale Jr. — QB

6-2 | Redshirt Sophomore | Jacksonville, Florida

Career passing:

• 169-of-266
• 63.5% completions
• 1,666 yards
• 9 TD
• 8 INT
• 6.3 yards per attempt

2026:

• 30-of-54
• 55.6%
• 234 yards
• 0 TD
• 1 INT
• 4.3 yards per attempt

I would not classify Tisdale as a true dual-threat quarterback. He has enough mobility to extend plays, but WKU has not consistently used his legs as a major weapon. His strength is his experience within the offense and what he showed last season after becoming the starter.

Brock Glenn Changes the Equation

The former Florida State quarterback brings considerably more major-college experience than a typical backup and gives Indiana a different problem to prepare for.

Brock Glenn — QB

Junior | Transfer from Florida State

Glenn appeared in 16 games over three seasons at Florida State. His career passing production includes 979 yards with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Against Georgia, however, his legs became a significant part of the equation.

• 12-of-23 passing
• 84 yards
• 1 passing TD
• 13 rushing attempts
• 70 rushing yards
• 2 rushing TDs

Coach Griff’s QB Classification

I would call Glenn a mobile quarterback with a legitimate run-game component. I’m not ready to label him a proven career dual-threat quarterback based solely on one game. But Indiana absolutely has to prepare for him as though the quarterback run will be part of Western Kentucky’s plan Saturday.

If Glenn is behind center, Bryant Haines has another gap to defend. The defensive end cannot blindly chase the running back, linebackers have to maintain leverage, and the backside defender has to understand who owns the quarterback.

Don’t allow aggressiveness to become Glenn’s best offensive weapon.

What Nevada Exposed: Run the Football

Nevada ran for 323 yards on 42 carries — 7.7 yards per attempt. The Wolf Pack scored five rushing touchdowns and finished with 486 yards of total offense while averaging 8.4 yards per play.

• 49 points
• 486 total yards
• 323 rushing yards
• 7.7 yards per rush
• 8.4 yards per play
• 5 rushing TDs

That’s where Indiana’s offensive plan should begin. Make Western Kentucky prove it has fixed the run defense.

Give the ball to Lee Beebe Jr. Give it to Turbo Richard. Get downhill behind Indiana’s offensive line. Force WKU’s linebackers to fit the run correctly snap after snap. If Western Kentucky has to bring another defender into the box, that is when Josh Hoover and Indiana’s receivers become increasingly dangerous.

Run the football until WKU demonstrates that you shouldn’t.

Don’t Ignore Ajay Allen

Allen carried 21 times for 102 yards and scored both WKU touchdowns against Nevada. Western Kentucky does not need Allen to dominate the game. It needs him to generate enough production on first and second down to prevent Indiana from unleashing its pressure package in obvious passing situations.

If Indiana consistently puts WKU into second-and-8 and third-and-7, the advantage shifts dramatically toward Bryant Haines. If Allen is consistently producing four, five and six yards on early downs, the entire playbook remains available.

What Georgia Exposed: Pressure Creates Mistakes

Georgia exposed another issue: WKU struggled to function efficiently against superior speed and pressure.

• 20 points
• 225 total yards
• 110 rushing yards
• 115 passing yards
• 3.0 yards per play
• 4 turnovers

That is the formula Indiana should try to recreate. Get WKU behind the chains. Make the quarterback operate on third-and-long. Disguise pressure. Force protection communication. Attack the football.

The Hilltoppers have committed six turnovers in two games. Indiana should make WKU execute long drives. Don’t give up the cheap play. Eventually, make them make a mistake.

Indiana’s Defensive Front Gets Another Test

Indiana’s defense took a significant step against Howard, controlling the line of scrimmage and producing five sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

Western Kentucky gives us a better measuring stick. Not because WKU is Georgia. It isn’t. But Allen is a legitimate running back, Tisdale has starting experience, and Glenn has Power Four experience and presents a different problem with his legs.

This is another opportunity for Mario Landino, Tyrique Tucker, Tobi Osunsanmi, Joe Hjelle and the rest of Indiana’s defensive front to demonstrate that what we saw against Howard wasn’t simply a product of the opponent.

Matchup Indiana Should Attack: IU Run Game vs. WKU Front

Western Kentucky has surrendered 557 rushing yards in two games. Indiana should establish the line of scrimmage, make WKU tackle Beebe and Richard, force the safeties downhill and then attack the space behind them.

That’s where Hoover becomes particularly dangerous. Play-action is considerably more effective when linebackers have spent the first quarter getting punished by the run.

Matchup Indiana Must Respect: Glenn’s Legs

If Glenn plays significant snaps, this becomes my No. 1 concern for Indiana’s defense — not his passing statistics, but his ability to turn a correct defensive call into a first down with his legs.

The answer isn’t becoming less aggressive. It’s controlled aggression.

Injury and Availability Watch

Indiana played Howard without cornerbacks Jamari Sharpe and A.J. Harris and defensive lineman Blake Smythe. Their availability is worth monitoring as the week progresses. Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt also remain part of a separate eligibility situation rather than an injury issue.

Because availability can change late in game week, Hoosier Tailgate will continue updating this portion of the scouting report as new information becomes available.

Coach Griff’s Five Things That Matter

1. Run Until They Stop It

Nevada and Georgia combined for 557 rushing yards against Western Kentucky. Indiana should force WKU to demonstrate that it can hold up physically before moving away from the run.

2. Identify the Quarterback

Tisdale gives WKU experience within its system. Glenn changes the defensive mathematics because of his legs. Indiana needs answers ready for both.

3. Win First Down

Don’t allow Allen and WKU’s run game to keep the offense on schedule. Put the Hilltoppers into obvious passing situations and unleash the pressure package.

4. Make WKU Play Clean Football

Six turnovers in two games matter. Make Western Kentucky snap the ball repeatedly and prove it can execute an entire drive without a negative play or turnover.

5. Fix the Special Teams Mistakes

Indiana survived two muffed punts against Howard. That is not something you want becoming a habit. Saturday is another opportunity to eliminate mistakes before conference play begins.

Coach Griff’s Take

I don’t think Western Kentucky’s 0-2 record tells the entire story. But I do think the way the Hilltoppers lost those two games tells Indiana exactly where to attack.

Nevada ran the football. Georgia overwhelmed them with speed, pressure and physicality. Western Kentucky has struggled to create explosive offense and has turned the ball over six times.

But Ajay Allen can run the football. Rodney Tisdale Jr. isn’t a first-time starter. And Brock Glenn gives Western Kentucky something different. His career numbers don’t make him a proven dual-threat quarterback, but 70 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Georgia are enough to make sure Indiana spends time preparing for the quarterback run.

That’s what this game should be about for Indiana. Not simply winning.

Refinement.

Can the offensive line control another game? Can Indiana establish the run? Can the defense handle a quarterback who can escape the pocket? Can the Hoosiers continue generating negative plays? Can special teams eliminate the mistakes we saw against Howard? And can Indiana play clean football for four quarters?

Howard gave Indiana an opportunity to develop its roster. Western Kentucky should provide an opportunity to sharpen it.

Because when this one ends, so does the nonconference schedule.

Then Big Ten football begins.

Graphic: Hoosier Tailgate. Statistical information compiled from Western Kentucky, game reports and season statistics.