NEWS » ts a long season, Matthews s

Western Kentucky knows it will be tough trying to follow up a 12-win season that clinched Conference USA, a second straight bowl victory and No. 24 final ranking.Especially since the Hilltoppers must replace key personnel such as career passing leader Brandon Doughty and tight end Tyler Higbee, both of whom are now in NFL training camps. But WKU has plenty of talent left for coach Jeff Brohm on both sides of the ball to expect continued success.Our team understands that this is a new team, said Brohm, who agreed to a four-year contraction extension in February. We lost some key players and some people out there might think that (because of) the fact that we lost them, were not going to be as near as good. Its up to guys to prove that they were a big part of that success. ... I like the nucleus of this team.WKU returns seven offensive starters from a high-octane squad that averaged 50 points per game while going unbeaten in league play. Five are on an offensive line that helped running back Anthony Wales rush for 1,091 yards over the final nine contests, and they should provide ample protection for Doughtys successor in the pocket.Senior receiver Taywan Taylor -- who set single-season school records with 1,467 yards and 17 touchdowns on 86 catches -- and fellow wideout Nicholas Norris (63 receptions, 971 yards) are also back along with tailback DAndre Ferby, who rushed for 650 yards and 11 TDs.The Hilltoppers may look different offensively this season, but tackle Forrest Lamp likes their continued capability to pile up yards and points.Its fun and we get to do a bunch of different things, Lamp said. We pass it, run it and have trick plays. Theres nothing more fun than blocking for a couple of seconds and seeing (wide receiver) Taywan (Taylor) run down the field and catch the ball wide open off a flea-flicker.Though WKU returns just four defensive starters, it has plenty of depth with nearly two dozen players who participated in at least three games last season. The `Toppers also added Louisville graduate transfers Keith Brown and Nick Dawson-Brents, beefing up a unit that might have to carry the load while the offense retools.The ability to prove consistency and the fact that we can do it for more than one year is going to be important, Brohm said. But the bullseye will be on our chest and we understand that we have a challenging schedule.QB BATTLESeveral players are competing to fill the big void left by Doughtys departure and Brohm will take as much time needed to examine a group including junior transfer Mike White -- a former starter at South Florida -- graduate transfer Tyler Ferguson, sophomore Drew Eckels and freshman Steven Duncan. Senior Nelson Fishback is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle.ALLENS RECOVERYThe NCAA granted running back Leon Allen a medical hardship waiver for another season of eligibility, but theres no timetable for the seniors return from a serious knee injury sustained in last years second game. He rushed for 1,542 yards and 13 TDs in 2014.KEY GAMESWKU faces two SEC teams in three weeks when it travels to defending national champion Alabama on Sept. 10 and hosts Vanderbilt on Sept. 24. The `Toppers also travel to face East division favorite Middle Tennessee (Oct. 15) and perennial contender Marshall (Nov. 26).PREDICTIONSeven wins and another bowl appearance are within reach for Hilltoppers.SEASON OPENERThe Hilltoppers host Rice on Sept. 1.Joe Torre Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. Anthony Swarzak Jersey . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. https://www.cheapbraves.com/153o-glenn-hubbard-jersey-braves.html .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Mike Soroka Braves Jersey . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Nick Markakis Jersey .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later.TORONTO -- James Reimer said he will have good memories of his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.The Maple Leafs would like to play a game worth remembering Thursday night when they host the Florida Panthers.Reimer will not start for the Panthers but this will be his first appearance in Toronto as a visiting player. He was traded to the San Jose Sharks after appearing in 207 games with the Maple Leafs in parts of six seasons.Just some memories flooding back about coming back after games and what not, Reimer said of returning to Toronto. Just a whole wash of different emotions, I guess, just remembering the good times. It was good. Its fun. Its cool.Not cool for the Leafs have been some of their recent performances, including Tuesdays 7-3 home loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Toronto has lost four straight (0-2-2) and allowed 20 goals in those games.When you play right and you do good things in life, good things happen, Toronto coach Mike Babcock said. Theres no sense going home and feeling sorry for yourself, thats a waste of time. (The fans) paid good money to watch our team play and we didnt do a good enough job.An area where Toronto has not done a good enough job has been in the nets.Frederik Andersen, signed in the offseason to a five-year, $25 million contract, has struggled early. The 27-year-old is amongst the leagues worst in major statistical areas with a .851 save percentage and a 4.29 goals-against average in five startsEveryones had tough times, you just got to keep working at it, Andersen told reporters on Wednesday following practtice.dddddddddddd. All that matters is what you do next and gotta work hard towards stopping the next puck and playing well the next game.One of the lone bright spots for Toronto (1-2-3) six games into the season has been the play of its young star. Auston Matthews, the 2016 first overall pick has six goals and 10 points.Its frustrating for sure, but its a long season, Matthews said. Youve got to take it day-by-day, stay positive in this room. Guys in this room have gone through this before. Theres no doubt in our minds were going to get out of it.He will look to increase those totals against Roberto Luongo, who is 3-1 with a .922 save percentage, and a 1.99 GAA.Florida (3-2-1) limps into Toronto with one win in its last four games. The Panthers followed up a 5-2 win against Colorado with Tuesdays 3-2 loss in Pittburgh during Sidney Crosbys season debut.They had odd-man rushes, and when you have good players and you give them opportunities, and theyre bound to score, Florida defenseman Keith Yandle said.Jonathan Marchessault, signed as a free agent in the offseason, leads the Panthers in scoring with three goals and eight points in six games.The Panthers have won four straight in Toronto and nine of their last 12 meetings with the Maple Leafs.This is a different Toronto Maple Leafs team, Panthers coach Gerard Gallant told the Miami Herald. Theyre a much different team and we know this is going to be a big challenge. ' ' '