WKU’s defense forced three turnovers, helping redshirt sophomore quarterback Caden Veltkamp overcome a 14-0 deficit Saturday night to defeat the Toledo Rockets 26-21.
After a 75-minute rain delay in the middle of the third quarter, the Hilltoppers scored two touchdowns off Veltkamp carries to get their first lead of the game with 5:16 left in the fourth quarter. From there, the WKU defense forced two crucial turnovers to complete the comeback.
“Just very proud of our guys,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “Very unique game, had a weather delay, we were down. Things aren’t going well, but somehow, someway, we found a way to win the game. A lot of big plays out there tonight when we needed them the most, and just really proud of this football team.”
In his first start, Veltkamp threw for 242 yards and a touchdown to redshirt sophomore Kisean Johnson, but threw two interceptions. He also made a difference on the ground with touchdown runs of 7-yards and 3-yards.
Johnson and sophomore wide receiver Easton Messer were the go-to guys. Messer added 68 yards receiving on four catches to total 141 with Johnson.
With a third down conversion efficiency of 3-12 and 10 penalties costing WKU 104 yards, the Hilltoppers looked to their defense for help.
Toledo only converted one fourth down on three attempts. The Rockets were held to just three yards per carry, mustering 125 yards on 42 attempts.
Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason was picked off for the first time this season, throwing two interceptions, and was held to just 200 yards passing.
First Quarter
WKU won the toss, giving Veltkamp the ball for his first start as a Hilltopper. Driving down the field, a deep shot in double coverage intended for Dalvin Smith was intercepted by the Rockets.
Toledo’s opening drive stalled inside the WKU 30-yard-line. A Toledo 42-yard field goal attempt missed wide right, but a running-into-the-kicker penalty gave the Rockets another opportunity. Toledo went for it on fourth down, but Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason was stopped short on the run.
WKU went three-and-out on their second drive. Two Gleason passes to Vandeross III and the Rockets were right back inside the WKU 30-yard-line
Second Quarter
Toledo’s second drive extended into the second quarter. Gleason took a shot at the end zone, but it was intercepted by senior defensive back Devonte Matthews. However, fellow senior defensive back Anthony Johnson Jr. was called for defensive holding, setting the Rockets with first and goal at the WKU 2-yard-line.
Gleason kept it on the ground and scored from a yard out, giving the Rockets the game’s first points, 7-0.
WKU’s following drive resulted in a three-and-out.
On the following drive, redshirt senior linebacker Chandler Matthews got to Gleason for the first sack of the game, but the sack was nullified by a facemask. The WKU defense brought blitzes, forcing three straight Gleason incomplete passes, resulting in a punt.
Another three-and-out for WKU resulted in a 43-yard return to the WKU 43-yard-line. The Rockets would then take the drive nine plays for 43 yards, ending with a 14-yard touchdown from Gleason to Anthony Torres, giving Toledo the 14-0 lead.
WKU’s next drive saw Veltkamp find the rhythm he had against MTSU. He hit a 19-yard throw and then a 44-yard pass to Keisean Johnson for a touchdown, completing a two play, 63-yard drive that lasted 29 seconds, making it 14-7.
Third Quarter
Toledo opened the second half with the ball, and immediately gave it right back. Gleason fumbled the snap which was recovered by junior linebacker Anthony Breckenridge. WKU cashed the turnover into another Lucas Carneiro field goal from 39 yards, 14-10.
Toledo’s next possession looked to be a three and out, but Gleason completed a 34-yard pass to keep the drive going.
The Rockets capped off a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a Gleason touchdown throw to Torres, his second of the game, making it 21-10 in favor of Toledo.
After an hour and 15 minute lightning delay, play resumed.
WKU punted after five plays only to get the ball right back. Redshirt senior Kylan Guidry strip-sacked Gleason and redshirt sophomore linebacker Darius Thomas recovered the fumble.
Veltkamp threw his second interception of the game two plays later, a pass intended for Easton Messer.
The teams would share punts from there. After a WKU punt that was downed at the 2-yard line, redshirt senior linebacker Devon Lynch tackled Rockets runningback Connor Walendzak for a safety, making it 21-12.
Fourth Quarter
WKU opened the fourth quarter trading punts with Toledo.
With just under 11:20 left in the fourth, Veltkamp found Easton Messer for a 49-yard touchdown, but it was called back after redshirt sophomore wide receiver Moussa Berry committed an illegal block in the back penalty to nullify the touchdown.
After Johnson grabbed his sixth catch of the night, Veltkamp scored a touchdown on a 7-yard quarterback keeper, cutting the lead to 21-19.
Toledo went three and out on their next drive.
Veltkamp led WKU down the field on a 62-yard drive that included a crucial fourth down conversion pass to Elijah Young. With 5:16 left in the fourth, Veltkamp punched it in for his second touchdown run of the game on a 3-yard score, giving WKU their first lead of the game, 26-21.
On the following drive, Toledo drove down the field, placing themselves inside the redzone after a 35-yard run by Gleason. Toledo lost four yards on a run and then a huge sack by redshirt junior defensive back Kent Robinson on a blitz. With 53 seconds left on fourth and 15, Gleason’s pass was intercepted by Devonte’ Matthews.
Just when WKU fans thought the game was over, Veltkamp ran up the middle on first down and fumbled the ball with 47 seconds left, giving Toledo the ball back at the WKU 15-yard line. Video review found enough evidence to overturn the initial ruling that the play had stopped.
With 32 seconds left, the Rockets had an opportunity to take the lead. With 13 seconds left, Gleason’s pass was intercepted once again by Devonte’ Matthews, his second of the game.
WKU will look to win their fourth game in a row as they travel to Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 28. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
“I’m going to celebrate this one tonight, and we’ll worry about that one tomorrow,” Helton said. “Looking forward to that trip and that opportunity to play a really good team.”
Sports reporter Michael Givner Jr. can be reached at [email protected].
Photos: WKU football wins 26-21 against the University of Toledo
