Dominic Di Palermo

Quarterback Austin Reed, left and Elijah Young, right, celebrate after Reed’s touchdown against Middle Tennessee State University at L.T Smith Stadium in Bowling Green on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.

On Thursday night, the Hilltoppers traveled to Ruston, Louisiana to battle the LA Tech Bulldogs in their second bout of Conference USA play in Joe Aillet Stadium.

After a quick turnover on the first drive, the Hilltoppers got the ball back and immediately took control of the game. Despite not scoring in the second half, the Hilltoppers were able to defeat the Bulldogs 35-28, moving to 4-2 on the season. 

• The First Quarter

• • 14:30: Graduate Quarterback Austin Reed is picked off by defensive back Cedric Woods on his first pass of the game.
  • 12:35: A five-play, 42-yard drive takes the Bulldogs to the endzone, with running back Tyre Shelton bursting out for a 25-yard touchdown run. 0-7, LA Tech leads.
  • 12:03: Junior Malachi Corley house call! Reed hits Corley on a short completion, who takes it for a long 70-yard touchdown. 7-7, all tied up. This reception put Corley at second all-time in receptions for the Hilltoppers program (210), just behind Taywan Taylor (253). 
  • 5:17: The Hilltoppers defense remains stout, forcing a turnover-on-downs and a punt from the Bulldogs. Reed and Company start their fourth drive of the game from the WKU 20-yard line, where redshirt junior running back Markese Stepp breaks loose for a 56-yard touchdown run. 14-7, WKU lead.
  • 3:41: Interception! A short three-play drive ends in an interception to defender Virgil Marshall from Bulldogs quarterback Jack Turner.
  • 2:23: A quick three-play, 16-yard drive ends in a one-yard touchdown run from redshirt senior running back Davion Ervin-Poindexter. 21-7, Hilltoppers lead.
• The Second Quarter:
  • 9:47: Touchdown, Hilltoppers! Reed completes five of his six pass attempts for 86 yards and a touchdown after finding receiver Corley for a quick dump off that results in a 48-yard score from the star receiver. 28-7, WKU leads. 
  • 0:20: After three back-to-back-to-back drives resulting in punts from the Bulldogs and WKU, the Hilltoppers get the ball with 5:26 left until the half. After 14 plays and 88 yards, controlling the clock, Reed finds Corley on a 29-yard connection in traffic in the endzone. 35-7, WKU leads.
  • 0:02: LA Tech attempts to get on the board one more time before the half but end the half with a 53-yard attempt blocked by the WKU special teams’ unit.
• Halftime Report:
  • WKU put up 35 unanswered points going into the half.
  • Reed, after an opening interception, goes 13-for-21, 256 yards, and three passing touchdowns.
  • Corley is dominating the nation’s sixth-ranked pass defense, as he’s been able to garner five receptions for 174 yards and three touchdown receptions.
  • On the ground, Stepp has led the way for the Hilltoppers, coming off of his season-best performance against MTSU. By halftime, Stepp has posted four carries for 66 yards and a touchdown score.
  • The defense has been stout, forcing a fumble and picking an interception, all while holding the Bulldogs to 4.3 yards on the ground, a 38.89% pass completion rate, a turnover on downs, and four punts.
• The Third Quarter:
  • 8:41: After back-to-back punting drives from each offensive unit, the Bulldogs score first in the second half, as Turner hits receiver Kyle Maxwell for a 19-yard touchdown strike in the corner of the endzone. 35-14, Tops lead.
  • 5:14: The Hilltopper offense stalls once again in the second half, as the unit exits the field on a turnover on downs following a six play, 29-yard drive.
  • 3:13: Turner and the Bulldogs offense seems to have found their stride, as Turner strikes gold on a one-yard rushing touchdown following back-to-back 35- and 18-yard completions to receiver Smoke Harris. 35-21, Hilltoppers lead.
  • 1:37: A very short drive from the Hilltoppers, with three plays and nine yards ending in a 45-yard punt from Ellard.
• The Fourth Quarter:
  • 15:00: The Bulldogs open the final quarter on fourth down, with Shelton converting for a first down on a 15-yard run. This then turns into second and 25 after a snap sails over Turner’s head. Kylan Guidry quickly sacks Turner, making it third and 32. Following a stuffed screen, the defense forces another punt.
  • 11:24: Reed and Co. are back on the field, starting on their own 24. Three plays and six yards later, the offense is off again. An Ellard punt puts the Bulldogs on their own 49.
  • 10:53: Turner is back on the field, looking to close the gap set early by the Tops. Turner drives the offense, going three-for-eight on 32 yards. The Bulldogs go for it on fourth down in the red zone, but a Kendrick Simpkins pressure forces a Turner incompletion.
  • 6:28: The Hilltoppers take over on offense on their own seven-yard line. An incompletion yet again forces a quick three-and-out. Ellard delivers a 43-yard punt as the Bulldogs take over on the WKU 47-yard line.
  • 4:52: The Bulldogs grind the ball down on a six play, 47-yard drive. Shelton carried the ball three times for 16 yards, ending the drive on a one-yard touchdown run. 35-28, WKU leads. 
  • 3:09: A gutsy drive from the Hilltoppers, as Reed takes the Hilltoppers to fourth-and-one in their own territory. The Tops go for it under center, but a penalty on tight end Hunter Helms pushes the offense back to fourth and six. Ellard delivers a 33-yard punt.
  • 1:44: Interception! Anthony Johnson Jr picks off Turner in what is a crucial turnover for the Hilltoppers. 
  • 0:00: The Hilltoppers kneel to solidify the wins. 35-28, WKU victory.

• Final: WKU 35, LA Tech 28
  • Austin Reed: 19-for-34, 297 yards, three passing touchdowns, one interception
  • Markese Stepp: Nine carries, 76 yards, one rushing touchdown
  • Malachi Corley: Eight receptions, 207 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns
  • Talique Allen: Nine tackles, one pass deflection
  • Anthony Johnson Jr: Seven tackles, one tackle for loss, game-winning interception
  • The Defense: Two sacks, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, three pass deflections, six punts, two turnovers on downs, and a missed field goal.   

With this win against the Bulldogs, the Tops move to 2-0 in Conference USA play.

The Hilltoppers (4-2) take the field again Tuesday, October 17 against Jacksonville State (5-1) in Jacksonville, Alabama at 6:30 PM in their third bout of C-USA play. 

Football Reporter Derrick Deen can be reached at [email protected]