Filling in for an injured TJ Finley, backup quarterback Caden Valtkamp dominated rival Middle Tennessee State Saturday, en route to a 49-21 WKU Football victory.
Veltkamp put together absurd stats after entering the game midway through the first quarter. The redshirt sophomore went 27-30 passing for 398 yards and six total touchdowns.
Senior Kisean Johnson was Veltkamp’s favorite target on the day as he hauled in eight catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns.
MTSU had some success on offense as well but could not match the Hilltoppers. Redshirt junior Nicholas Vattiato threw for 456 yards and three touchdowns for the Blue Raiders.
First Half
MTSU began the contest with a five-minute drive that ultimately ended with the Blue Raiders turning it over on downs.
WKU responded with a 12-play touchdown drive that ended with a four-yard receiving touchdown by redshirt junior River Helms.
During the drive, Finley went down with an injury and Veltkamp replaced him.
The Blue Raiders went three-and-out the following drive, giving it right back to the Hilltoppers.
Veltkamp responded with a quick 65-yard touchdown drive that ended with a six-yard touchdown reception by Johnson.
Both teams proceeded to turn it over on downs with their following drives. MTSU gave it back on the Hilltopper one-yard line and WKU gave it back on the MTSU 37.
MTSU responded with a sustained drive into WKU territory before senior Anthony Johnson Jr. ended the drive with an interception at the one-yard line.
WKU added another touchdown before the half with a 99-yard drive that ended with a ten-yard receiving touchdown. The touchdown gave the Hilltoppers a 21-0 lead going into the half.
Second Half
WKU opened up the second half with a 72-yard touchdown from Veltkamp to redshirt sophomore K.D. Hutchinson, making it 28-0.
MTSU responded with their first scoring drive of the contest to make it 28-7. The drive concluded with a 37-yard passing touchdown.
Veltkamp and WKU quickly answered with another touchdown drive that ended with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Veltkamp.
The Blue Raiders followed with a first play, 71-yard passing touchdown to make it 35-14.
WKU responded with another long touchdown the following drive, this time on a trick play. Redshirt senior wide receiver Dalvin Smith threw a 36-yard touchdown to Johnson, making it 42-14.
After forcing another turnover on downs WKU scored another touchdown to make it 49-14. Veltkamp recorded a three-yard passing touchdown for his fifth of the day.
MTSU scored once more with 5:47 remaining in the game on a seven-yard touchdown to make it 49-21.
WKU will look to make it three-in-a-row next Saturday when they welcome the Toledo Rockets to the Houch. Kickoff is set for 6 pm CT.
Sports reporter Camden Bush can be reached at [email protected].
