Michael Grant

@MichaelGrant_CJ

Christmas has come early for the Western Kentucky University football program.

WKU announced that redshirt-senior quarterback Brandon Doughty has been granted a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA and will return for the 2015 season. He was issued a medical hardship waiver due to knee injuries he sustained as a redshirt freshman and sophomore.

Also on Wednesday, Doughty was named Conference USA's Most Valuable Player.

"It's been a crazy day," Doughty said. "It's an honor to be able to get a sixth year. Not many people get to do that. We are trying to keep the focus on going to the Bahamas and beating Central Michigan right now. It is a special day for my family and everyone around me."

This is a huge boost to WKU. Doughty leads the nation in passing yards (4,344) and touchdowns passes (44) and has set several school passing records this season. With Doughty's return, that means the Hilltoppers will return their top passer, rusher (Leon Allen, 1,490 yards), and leader in receptions (Jared Dangerfield with 64) and receiving yards (Taywan Taylor with 739) for next season.

In 2015, WKU will have eight returning starters on offense and nine on defense. The Hilltoppers could be favored to win the Conference USA East Division.

Under Doughty, WKU is sixth in the FBS in scoring (44 points per game) and total offense (525.3 yards per game). The senior directed the Hilltoppers to a 67-66 overtime victory over previously unbeaten No.19 Marshall on Nov. 28. Doughty threw eight TD passes and the game-winning two-point conversion.

"To get this news is tremendous for us, tremendous for Brandon, tremendous for our team and University," coach Jeff Brohm said. "We couldn't be more excited. Anytime you get to come back and enjoy the game, have fun doing it and get better at your craft while continuing to get your education, then to be around your teammates for another year, is great."

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In 2011 as a redshirt freshman, Doughty suffered a season-ending knee injury in his first start against Indiana State. Doughty injured his knee again the following season as a sophomore. Those injuries led to WKU applying for a medical hardship waiver for Doughty who became the regular starting quarterback last year.

In 2013, under then-coach Bobby Petrino, Doughty struggled with turnovers and was briefly benched but finished strong to lead the Hilltoppers to an 8-4 record – their best mark in the FBS. This season, Doughty has shattered several school records including marks for completions (344), attempts (510), yards (4,344), touchdowns (44), completion percentage (67.5) and total offense (4,288).

WKU (7-5) will face Central Michigan (7-5) in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 24.

Contact Michael Grant at (502) 582-4069, and on Twitter @MichaelGrant_CJ