There are three main objectives for the Western Kentucky football in the spring of 2012: Find someone to replace running back Bobby Rainey, improve the passing game and find a kicker.

The Hilltoppers finished 7-5 last season—an impressive mark after starting 0-4 and going 2-22 coming before the start of the 2011 campaign. Now, WKU wants to take that next step in getting a Sun Belt Conference championship and a postseason bowl berth.

"These guys have responded well just starting with our winter conditioning," third-year coach Willie Taggart said. "We had 100 percent attendance in our conditioning. In my years of coaching that's a first. I'm proud of our players for that. Those guys have a chip on their shoulder and they're hungry. ...More