Doughty leaves Georgia State game with injury

Quarterback Brandon Doughty warms up before the WKU vs. Georgia State game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.

Lucas Aulbach

ATLANTA, Ga. —Junior quarterback Brandon Doughty left Saturday’s game against Georgia State in the third quarter with an apparent injury.

Doughty started the game and helped the Toppers build a 24-7 halftime lead. He was driving the WKU offense down the field midway through the first quarter when he was hit in the helmet by Georgia State linebacker Carnell Hopson as he tried to slide.

Doughty laid on the turf for a few minutes before being helped off the field. Hopson was initially flagged for targeting and removed from the game, but his ejection was overturned upon further review.

Redshirt freshman Damarcus Smith took over at quarterback for WKU on the ensuing drive. He tried two quarterback option runs before being removed in favor of sophomore Nelson Fishback, who helped move the offense into the red zone en route to a two-yard touchdown run from senior running back Keshawn Simpson, his third of the day.

Doughty exited the game 15-of-24 for 206 yards, with a touchdown and interception. Smith gained two yards on his three rushes, while Fishback completed one pass for 16 yards on the drive.

The Toppers are currently holding a 31-7 lead midway through the third quarter.