WKU held a two-point lead with 1:46 remaining in Saturday’s bout at Navy, and although the Midshipmen looked poised to march down the field and attempt a game-winning score, their late-game heroics were cut short thanks in part to a “Wonderful” play by WKU’s defense.

On fourth and 19 from their own 35, Midshipmen junior quarterback Keenan Reynolds dropped back and fired a pass down the left side of the field that was picked off and returned 43 yards for a touchdown by redshirt junior defensive back Wonderful Terry, sealing a 36-27 win for the Hilltoppers.

With the win, the Hilltoppers avoided their worst start since 2011 and evened the all-time series with the Midshipmen at 2-2. More importantly, WKU (2-2) fights its way back to .500 on the season.

The Hilltoppers totaled 557 yards of offense, while giving up 467– 412 of which came on the ground for Navy (2-3).

Redshirt senior quarterback Brandon Doughty led the way for the Hilltopper offense with 387 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also added a rushing touchdown. Doughty’s performance marks the first time a WKU quarterback has thrown for at least 300 yards in back-to-back games.

Doughty connected with nine different receivers, four of which totaled at least six catches. Redshirt senior receiver Willie McNeal and redshirt junior receiver Jared Dangerfield hauled in touchdown catches of 13 and 31 yards, respectively.

Junior running back Leon Allen led the Hilltopper rushing attack with 102 yards on 17 carries. Redshirt sophomore Anthony Wales added 60 yards on 14 carries.

Junior linebacker Dejon Brown led the way for WKU on defense with 10 total tackles. Redshirt senior defensive back Ricardo Singh recorded nine. The WKU defense held the Midshipmen to an 18 percent (2-11) third down conversion percentage.

WKU trailed 14-13 at the end of the first half, as the Hilltoppers gave up 199 rushing yards through the first two quarters.

A 19-yard touchdown run by Navy extended its lead to 21-13 with 11:44 left in the third quarter, but the Hilltoppers answered with Dangerfield’s touchdown reception two minutes later.

After a WKU field goal, the Hilltoppers got the ball back and extended their lead to 29-21 on a 15-play, 91-yard drive that ate up 6:11 off the clock, leaving just 1:46 for the Midshipmen. The drive was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by Doughty.

On third and 19 on the following drive, Reynolds’ pass was incomplete and almost intercepted by Terry and redshirt junior defensive back Prince Charles Iworah.

Two plays later – it actually happened.

Terry got his interception and took it 43 yards to extend the Hilltoppers’ lead to 36-27 and send them home with a win.

WKU will look to improve to 3-2 next weekend when UAB comes to Bowling Green for the Hilltoppers’ first home Conference USA matchup at 6 p.m.