Troy coach faces family conflict against Western Kentucky

TROY — For Troy offensive line coach John Schlarman, Saturday’s game at Western Kentucky is more than just another Sun Belt Conference game.

There’s family bragging rights involved.

Schlarman’s brother-in-law is WKU linebacker Michael Federspiel, a freshman from Lexington who is redshirting this year.

“He’s a linebacker that has the potential to grow into a defensive end,” Schlarman said. “I think he’s a guy that a redshirt year will do him some good.”

The Trojans (6-2, 5-0 SBC) and Hilltoppers (0-8, 0-4) kick off at 4 p.m. Saturday at Houchens-Smith Stadium in Bowling Green.

He expects his in-laws to be wearing red for WKU, but his wife, Lee Anne, doesn’t have a choice.

“I know Lee Anne will be with Troy,” Schlarman said. “She knows who comes to her every night.

“I’m sure her folks will be over there supporting her brother, and that’s fine. It’s going to be a neat little rivalry deal within the family and that’s fine, but hopefully we can just go up there and put our best foot forward.”

Like Schlarman, Federspiel’s father Joe played for the University of Kentucky. He played in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints from 1972-80 and with the Baltimore Colts in 1981.

The bloodlines are definitely there, but Schlarman won’t have to worry about a scouting report for another year.

Schlarman hadn’t heard from Federspiel on Monday, but he probably has by today.

“I’m sure I’ll either call him or he’ll call me,” Schlarman said. “All year when we talk to him or to Lee Anne’s family, you hear about what’s going with him at Western. It makes it a little more intriguing, and it should make for an interesting Christmas.”

Hilltoppers are young: Fifty-seven of WKU’s 85 scholarship players are true freshmen, redshirt freshmen or sophomores. WKU has 11 scholarship seniors and 17 scholarship juniors.

WKU injury report: According to the Bowling Green Daily News, players already out for the game are junior receiver Quinterrance Cooper and junior safety Orlando Misaalefua — both with concussions. Elson said true freshman safety Kareem Peterson also suffered a concussion, but his status was day-to-day.

WKU is likely without three of its top four safeties due to injury, including Misaalefua, Peterson and Ryan Beard (knee).