SETTING THE STAGE
The fourth season of the Trent Miles era continues on Saturday, Sept. 17, as the Sycamores travel to their second NCAA FBS opponent this year in Western Kentucky. Saturday's game is set for a 7:00 p.m. (ET) kickoff at Houchens-Smith Stadium (22,113). The game will be broadcast live on the internet for free via ESPN3.com with Shawn Kenney (p-b-p) and Drew Henson (analyst) and will also be available on a pay-per-view basis on GoSycamores.com through Sycamore Vision. The game will air live on ESPN Radio (92.7 FM), with Brian Fritz and Tom James calling the action for the Nelligan Sports Marketing Radio Network. Action can be heard live worldwide on GoSycamores.com.

THE WESTERN KENTUCKY SERIES
Indiana State and Western Kentucky first met in 1969 in Bowling Green in a game that ended in a 7-7 tie. The Hilltoppers lead the all-time series against the Sycamores by a 14-5 count, including a 7-2 margin at WKU. The Sycamores and Hilltoppers played every season from 1990-2007, including the 2001-06 seasons when Western was a member of the Gateway Football Conference. WKU has won 12 straight meetings in the all-time series, with ISU's last win coming in the form of a 27-6 victory at Memorial Stadaium on Oct. 1, 1995. ISU last won in Bowling Green in 1994 -- a 28-16 victory. The Sycamores' other victory at WKU came in 1990.

THE COACHES
INDIANA STATE: Trent Miles (Indiana State '87)
- Overall: 8-28 (4th Season)
- at Indiana State: 8-28 (4th Season)
- vs. Western Kentucky: 0-0
- vs. Missouri Valley Football Conference: 5-19
WESTERN KY: Willie Taggert (Western Kentucky, '98)
- Overall: 2-12 (2nd Season)
- at Western Kentucky: 2-12 (2nd Season)
- vs. Indiana State: 0-0
- vs. Missouri Valley Football Conference: 0-0

QUICK HITS
- Indiana State won its home opener for the second consecutive season for the first time since 1995 & 1996 with a 48-34 victory over Butler this past week.
- The Sycamores have not defeated a member of the FBS Subdivision since the 2001 campaign -- a 21-14 victory over Eastern Michigan. Since moving to FBS in 2007, Western Kentucky is 7-1 against the FCS -- losing only to Central Arkansas in 2009.

An Indiana State Win Over Western Kentucky Would ...
• Be the Sycamores first victory over a FBS opponent since a 2001 victory over Eastern Michigan.
• Give Indiana State a 2-1 start to the season, its best start to a campaign since a 4-1 burst out of the gate in 2004.
• Give Indiana State back-to-back non-conference victories for the first time since 2004 when ISU downed Eastern Illinois, Murray State and UT-Martin consecutively.
• Be Indiana State's first road non-conference victory since a 2004 victory at Eastern Illinois.

The Indiana State Head Coach
Indiana State head coach Trent Miles (Indiana State, 1987) is 8-28 (.222) overall in his third season as a head coach, all with the Sycamores. He is 5-19 all-time in MVFC games, including a 4-8 mark at home and a 1-11 mark on the road. During his career, he is 7-11 in all home games, 1-17 on the road and 2-2 in games decided by three points or less. Miles is 0-0 all-time against Western Kentucky. With the Trees, Miles is 1-2 in overtime games, and 0-5 in shutouts. Saturday's game is Trent Miles' 37th game as Indiana State head coach.

The Western Kentucky Head Coach
Western Kentucky is led by second-year head coach Willie Taggert, who is a 1998 graduate of the Bowling Green, Ky., school. Taggert is 2-12 at WKU and has never faced off against ISU as the head coach of the Hilltoppers. Likewise, he has never battled a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference while at the helm of the WKU football program.

Scouting The Hilltoppers
Western Kentucky is 0-2 on the season, dropping a 14-3 decision to Kentucky in a game played in Nashville, Tenn., as well as a 40-14 decision to Navy last week. The Hilltoppers are led in rishing by Bobby Rainey who has 236 yards on the ground in two contests with a pair of touchdowns scored against Navy. Kawaun Jakes is the Hilltoppers' leading passer and is 16-of-39 for 144 yards with five interceptions.

A Little History
This marks the 107th season of football at Indiana State, dating back to 1896. The University did not field teams from 1899 to 1900, 1908 or from 1910 to 1919. ISU owns an all-time record of 346-471-22 and is competing for the 26th consecutive season as a member of the MVFC.

Television Particulars
Indiana State's game at Western Kentucky will be shown live to the world on ESPN3.com. In order to receive ESPN3.com, fans must subscribe to a local cable or internet company which is in partnership with the World Wide Leader in sports. Additionally, ESPN3.com is provided free of charge to all college campus and military internet providers. For those that do not receive ESPN3.com, the game will be made available live on a pay-per-view basis on Sycamore Vision. Fans should point their web browers to GoSycamores.com for more subscription information from Sycamore Vision.

What's Transpired
Indiana State is 1-1 on the season, dropping its season opener at Penn State by the score of 41-7 and downing Butler in the home opener 48-34. The Sycamores are led in rushing by Brock Lough who has 130 yards on 18 carries, averaging 7.2 yards per touch with three touchdowns. Ronnie Fouch has completed over 63 percent of his passes, connecting on 26-of-41 attempts with two touchdowns. Justin Hilton leads ISU with 10 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown while Jacolby Washington leads the way defensively with 23 total tackles. The Sycamores rolled up 456 yards of total offense against Butler.

Sycamores Against The FBS
Traditionally, Indiana State faces off against one or more members of the NCAA FBS Subdivision and this year's contests against college football's top subdivision are against Penn State, of the Big Ten Conference as well as Western Kentucky of the Sun Belt Conference. ISU last defeated a member of the FBS in 2001 when they downed Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference by the score of 21-14. Since that contest, ISU has dropped 13 in row against members of the FBS, including the season opener against Penn State. Under coach Miles, ISU is 0-0 against members of the Sun Belt. Against the current membership of the Sun Belt, ISU is 7-17 (1-1 vs. Arkansas State, 1-0 vs. Florida International, 0-1 vs. Middle Tennessee State, 5-14 vs. Western Kentucky, 0-1 vs. North Texas).

Ben Obaseki Named To Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List; Solid Start To Season
Junior defensive lineman Ben Obaseki has been named to the 2011 Buck Buchanan Watch List, presented by Fathead.com as announced by The Sports Network. The Buchanan Award is in its 17th season and will be presented to the FCS' outstanding defensive player at the national awards banquet Thursday night, Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas. This season's winner will join a list of Buchanan Award greats such as Dexter Coakley, Jared Allen, Rashean Mathis, Kroy Biermann and 2010 winner J.C. Sherritt of Eastern Washington. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 21. Obaseki was everywhere for Indiana State at Penn State, totaling five total tackles and putting pressure on the Penn State quarterbacks numerous times over the course of the game on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Obaseki, a Preseason Buck Buchanan Watchlist Team member, recorded one solo stop and four assists versus the Nittany Lions. He went on to tally eight tackles with a quarterback sack at Western Kentucky. Obaseki now has 12 quarteback sacks in his career, and needs 13.5 more to tie Kyle Mitchell for the school record.

For Openers
The Sycamores opened the home portion of the schedule against Butler inside Memorial Stadium last Saturday, and with the victory improved to 54-36-4 in home opening contests. ISU won its home opener last season over St. Joseph's (Ind.) by the score of 57-7, its first since 2004 with a 28-21 victory over Murray State. Indiana State has now won its home opener in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 1995 & 1996 seasons with its 38-24 victory over Butler on Saturday along with its 57-7 victory over St. Joseph's in the home opener last season. Additionally, Indiana State's victory over Butler was its first non-conference victory against a NCAA Division I school since a 41-24 victory over UT-Martin in 2004.

Leonard Riston Named MVFC Special Teams Player Of The Week
Leonard Riston returned three kickoffs for a total of 156 yards, including a 92-yard touchdown in the second quarter as the Sycamores downed Butler at Memorial Stadium. Riston's 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the Sycamores' first since the 2005 campaign when Cornell Johnson had a 97-yarder against Western Illinois.

Bringing Back Memories Of "The Fridge"
Ben Obaseki scored twice last season on offensive as a fullback despite being the team's starting defensive end and a nominee for the 2011 Buck Buchannan Award. Obaseki matched his career total of two rushing touchdowns with a pair against Butler on Saturday. Obaseki opened the scoring for the Sycamores against Butler with a two-yard scoring rush in the game's first quarter and then added another two-yard TD in the third quarter.

Punter Not Needed
Indiana State did not have to punt against Butler, one week after senior Santino Davis averaged over 40 yards per punt against Penn State. The Sycamores have not punted in a game since a 1992 contest against Lock Haven prior to the contest against the Bulldogs this week. The Sycamores had 11 drives against Butler, scoring seven touchdowns and had two drives stopped by fumbles. Indiana State also had the ball as time expired on both the first and second halfs.

The "Lough" Down
Brock Lough rushed for 131 yards on 17 attempts in the 48-34 home field victory over Butler. Lough also reached the end zone three times in the contest, on two TD's of three yards and one from 45 yards out. Lough's 131 yards rushing were a career high and the first time in his career that he has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark. His three rushing touchdowns are the most in his career, as he had scored just twice prior to the game. Lough added one pass reception out of the back field for three yards.

Fouch Fantastic Against Butler
Senior quarterback Ronnie Fouch completed each of his first 10 passes against Butler, falling just one short of the school record for consecutive pass completions as he finished with a 15-for-18 passing effort versus the Bulldogs. Fouch passed for 232 yards and connected with Donald Spencer on a 26-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Fouch also found tight end Alex Jones on a long pass of 50 yards in the contest.

Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference Honors
Indiana State had two team members place on the 2011 Missouri Valley Football Preseason Offensive Team in senior full back Brock Lough and senior tight end Alex Jones. Four Sycamores placed on the 2011 Missouri Valley Football Preseason Defensive Team, including Buck Buchanan Award nominee junior defensive lineman Ben Obaseki, junior linebacker Jacolby Washington, sophomore defensive back Calvin Burnett and senior defensive back Alex Sewall. Two more Sycamores, senior quarterback Ronnie Fouch and junior linebacker Aaron Archie were honorable mention selections.

Sycamores Picked To Finish Sixth In Missouri Valley Football Conference
The Indiana State football team has been picked to finish sixth in the annual Missouri Valley Football Conference Preseason Poll conducted earlier this summer by a vote of league head coaches, sports information directors and a media panel. It is the highest preseason ranking for the Sycamores since they were picked to finish sixth in a seven-team Gateway Football Conference race in 2000.

Alex Sewall Nominated For 2011 All-State AFCA Good Works Team
Alex Sewall, a senior exercise science major, is one of 132 national nominees for the 2011 All-State AFCA Good Works Team. The award recognizes the selfless contributions to volunteerism and community service made by college football student-athletes across the nation. From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will select two 11-player Good Works Teams® - one comprising of players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and another representing players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA. The 22 student-athletes named to the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will be announced in late September.

Fourty-Seven Letterman, 17 Starters Return In 2011
Indiana State returns 47 letterman from last season - 22 on offense, 23 on defense and two specialists. The Sycamores have lost the services of 14 letterman in 2011 - eight on offense, four on defense and two specialists. Indiana State also returns 17 starters from the 2010 squad. Six starters are back on offense, nine on defense and two specialists.

Must See TV
Indiana State is making a school record five appearances on television this season, beginning with the season opener at Penn State. The contest against the Nittany Lions was telecast on the Big Ten Network, the Sycamores second-ever appearance on that network. ISU's 2007 contest at Indiana was one of the network's first live college football telecasts. ISU will also appear on ESPN3.com in its September 17 contest at Western Kentucky as well as the October 22 road game at Illinois State. The Sycamores also will appear on Valley Live as part of the MVC Television Network on September 24 against Youngstown State. ISU's Homecoming contest against Western Illinois on October 15 will be shown locally on WTWO-TV in the Wabash Valley. The league games against North Dakota State on November 5 and at Missouri State on November 12 are up for wildcard selections by the league office for telecasts on ESPN3.com.

Ronnie Fouch Enjoyed Seven Game 200-Yard Passing Streak In 2010
Indiana State junior quarterback Ronnie Fouch's streak of 200-yard passing performances reached seven in a row with a 16-of-23 effort for 290 yards as well as four touchdowns at Youngstown State. Fouch's 290 yards were his most in a Sycamore uniform on the road as ISU downed a league opponent away from Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2002 with the victory at Youngstown State last season. His four touchdowns at YSU was the third time last season in which he has passed for a quartet of touchdowns in a game and gave him 20 total passing touchdowns for the season which was a new school record. With his 232 passing yards against Butler in the home opener, Fouch has thrown for at least 200 yards in eight of his last 10 contests.

Road Trip!
With the Indiana State Sycamores thrilling 30-24 road victory over Youngstown State last season, the Trees broke a 36-game road losing streak, which was the longest in any division of college football. ISU downed Youngstown State for just the second time in 20 all-time tries, with both coming at the "Ice Castle". The road win over the Penguins was the first for an Indiana State football team since downing Eastern Illinois in overtime in the second game of the 2004 campaign and its first victory in league play away from Memorial Stadium since taking down Southern Illinois in 2002.

Sycamore Offense In 2010 Was The Best In School History
Indiana State amassed 351 total points last season which is a new school record. The 2010 squad beat out the 1992 team who previously held the record with 319 points. Additionally, the Sycamores reached the end zone a total of 48 times last season which tops the 1992 team's 43. The offensive turnaround for Indiana State has been remarkable as the Sycamores scored a program-low 99 points in 2009 and have improved to the point of setting the school record for most points in 2010 with 351.

This Is Our House!
Indiana State finished the 2010 season with a record of 5-1 for the 2010 season at Memorial Stadium with its victory over South Dakota State, giving the Sycamores five home victories for the first time since 1995. The Sycamores posted a winning record at home for the first time since going 3-2 during 2004.

Sycamores Against The Missouri Valley Football Conference
Indiana State is in its 26th season as a member of the MVFC. ISU's first season as a league member came in 1986 when it went 1-5 through a six-game league schedule. The Sycamores are 44-115 in MVFC contests and have won five of their last 12 league matchups, marking the first time since the 2002 season that an ISU team has won multiple league contests over a similar stretch.

In Overtime
The Sycamores have played in 12 overtime contests since the rule was established for regular season games in the NCAA FCS Subdivision in 1996. The Sycamores are 7-5 in games that have used an extra period. ISU's last overtime contest came in the form of a 38-35 victory against Missouri State in the sixth game of the 2010 season.

Up Next
Indiana State returns to Memorial Stadium for the 2011 Missouri Valley Football Conference season opener against Youngstown State on Saturday, September 24. The game will kickoff at 2:05 p.m. (ET) and will be televised nationally on the league's digital network, Valley Live for free.