Helton wants new QB to 'do his job' for Tops

BOWLING GREEN (KT) - Coming off a season of quarterback play at Western Kentucky University where Bailey Zappe put up staggering passing numbers, Hilltopper coach Tyson Helton at the least expects Austin Reed to be a leader of the offensive attack.

WKU plays the first game of the college football season at 11 a.m. Central time Saturday at home against Austin Peay.

Reed, who transferred to WKU from Division II West Florida and has two years of eligibility left, won the quarterback battle this month with West Virginia graduate transfer Jarret Doege - Division I college football's active leader in passing yards (10,494) and passing touchdowns (79), who threw for 3,048 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 65 percent of his passes last year.

"He's been a good leader for our football team," Helton said of Reed. "This will be a good test for him. You know I'm not expecting him to go out there and be special or spectacular. In the first game I'd like to see him manage the offense, I'd like to see him do his job, I'd like to see the players that surround him on offense play at a high level to help him out.

"First games are hard when you're a first-time starter," Helton said. "He's had a good week of practice; he's seemed comfortable just like he's been every day."

Doege entered the transfer portal after he was told Reed would start the opener and has transferred to Troy, which plays a Conference USA game Oct. 1 at WKU.

"I don't blame the guy one bit," Helton said of Doege. "When we made the decision to go with Austin in the first game, he had to make a decision: do I stay and compete, or do I have opportunities to play at other places?"

Reed takes over after passing for 3,418 yards and 38 TDs as West Florida went 9-2. In 2019, Reed led West Florida to a Division II national championship while throwing for 4,089 yards and 40 touchdowns and rushing for an additional six.

Helton, who begins his fourth season, expects Austin Peay to provide a full four-quarter test for the Hilltoppers.

Austin Peay went 6-5 last season and averaged 32.5 points a game. They are a member of the ASUN Conference after leaving the Ohio Valley Conference earlier this year.

"It's going to be a very good test for us," Helton said. "Their offense is a very high-powered offense .... We'll have our hands full defensively trying to contain them offensively. The first game there are a lot of unknowns and you're trying to figure each other out. Their skill players are very dynamic with big-play ability. They're just as good as we are.

"I think our football team better show up and have its best game or we'll all be disappointed," he added.

The Hilltoppers are coming off a 9-5 season after bouncing back from a 1-4 start.