Folks, can we still call this game a rivalry?
WKU continued their dominance in the ‘100 miles of hate’ rivalry Saturday, defeating MTSU 49-21 in Murfreesboro. The win is the sixth in a row against MTSU and the ninth in the last 10 tries.
“Just really proud of our guys tonight… . Big game, always a big rivalry game… it meant a lot for us to get this win and get it in a decisive manner,” Head coach Tyson Helton said.
Here are my thoughts on WKU’s win at MTSU.
THE GOOD
Caden Veltkamp
It is really unfortunate that this is the scenario Veltkamp got his chance to prove why he should lead the Hilltopper offense. On WKU’s first drive, starter TJ Finley went down with an apparent leg injury, giving Veltkamp his time to shine – and shine he did. The redshirt sophomore went 27-30 with 398 yards and six total touchdowns.
“He prepares extremely well. He prepares like he’s the starter,” Helton said. “I always tell the players all the time… you better be ready when it’s your turn and Caden’s always ready.”
The two games the WKU offense has hosted a heavy dose of Veltkamp – this game and last year’s Toastery Bowl – the Bowling Green native has looked unphased by the challenges of coming off the bench in an emotional, tense setting. Between those two contests, Veltkamp has a combined 781 yards and 11 total touchdowns.
There have been no updates on Finley’s health or a timetable for his return, but it feels that Veltkamp may have fully solidified himself as the starter.
“Hopefully TJ makes a fast recovery and can get back out on the field, but I’m still going to prepare the same way whether he’s playing or I’m playing,” Veltkamp said.
Kisean Johnson
The shoes of third round NFL draft pick Malchi Corley were always going to be nearly impossible to fill, but transfer senior Kisean Johnson has done well trying to solidify himself as the next number one target.
Against the Blue Raiders, Johnson caught eight passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. He became the first WKU receiver to record back-to-back 100 yard receiving games since Corley and Jaylen Hall both did it in 2022. Last week against EKU he went for 119 yards.
“Just being consistent. Not getting too high, not getting too low,” Johnson said on his pair of good performances. “Another big performance, another big game.”
While the starting quarterback position is not super clear right now, it seems that Veltkamps or Finleys first target is crystal.
THE MEH
The defense
I’m renaming this the meh section for this week because the defense definitely did some good things. In the first half, WKU held the Blue Raiders scoreless and forced two turnovers on downs, an interception and a three-and-out.
“I feel like we had a good defensive plan going into the game,” Cornerback Anthony Johnson Jr. said.
Even with the shutout in the first 30 minutes, WKU’s defense was put into some tough situations in the half.
A 54-yard pass to start the second quarter put MTSU at the WKU one-yard-line. WKU stood tall and forced a turnover on downs.
On the ensuing MTSU possession, the Blue Raiders drove inside the WKU 10 but an interception from Johnson Jr. kept the shutout alive.
A real bend don’t break sequence.
However the second half was a bit of a different story. MTSU reached the end zone on three of their four drives in the second half and scored on 37 and 71-yard touchdowns. The score really does not show it, but WKU allowed a staggering 456 yards through the air.
WHAT’S NEXT
WKU’s next contest is a parent’s weekend showdown against the red-hot Toledo Rockets.
Toledo is on a three-game winning streak and will be headed into Bowling Green following a dominant win against Mississippi State on the road. In the three wins, the Rockets have outscored their opponents 128-50.
Sports Editor Jake McMahon can be reached at [email protected].
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