FOREST » agreed to a four-year contraction extension in February. We lo

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. Cheap Air Jordan 1 Sale . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Discount Air Jordan 1 . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. 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Polish Olympic discus thrower Piotr Malachowski, who won a silver medal at the Rio Games last week, announced on his Facebook page Friday that he is auctioning his medal to help treat Olek Szymanski, a 3-year-old Polish boy who suffers from retinoblastoma.In Rio I fought for gold, Malachowski wrote, according to Facebooks translation. Today, I appeal to everyone -- lets fight together about something that is even more precious. The health of this fantastic boy.According to Malachowski, the procedure to treat the raare form of cancer isnt available in Poland; it is offered only in New York.ddddddddddddSiepomaga, a Polish charity foundation, has already raised nearly?one-third of the $126,000 necessary to finance the treatment. The auction is scheduled to end Friday, with all proceeds going to Szymanskis treatment.If you help me, Malachowski said, my silver may be more valuable than gold for Olek. ' ' '