WKU football picked up a huge 31-14 conference win Wednesday at Sam Houston.
The Hilltoppers found themselves in a tight 17-14 contest through three quarters before scoring two touchdowns in just over two minutes and putting the nail in the coffin on a pivotal road win.
“I thought it was a great team win tonight,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “I mean, this is a tough place to go on the road and get a win like we did. The first half was a total back and forth battle, like I expected, and then slowly but surely in the second half we were able to make some big plays.”
WKU took advantage of a few big miscues by the Bearkats throughout the game. Sam Houston missed a kick, had a kick blocked, fumbled a snap and threw an interception. The miscues led to 14 Hilltopper points.
The win brings the Hilltoppers to 3-0 in conference play and 5-2 overall.
Veltkamp put together another strong performance, throwing for 281 yards and accounting for four total touchdowns. Additionally, it was Veltkamp’s first start of the year without a turnover.
Senior Elijah Young was productive in both the rushing and receiving game for the Hilltoppers. Young went for 97 yards on the ground and 61 yards and a touchdown receiving.
Redshirt sophomore K.D. Hutchinson led the receiving corps with 88 yards and a touchdown.
The Hilltopper defense was once again very good aside from a couple big plays by the opposition. In addition to a blocked field goal, the Hilltoppers came up with their 11th and 12th turnovers of the season.
First Half
WKU received the opening kickoff and put together an extremely efficient touchdown drive. Veltkamp went 4-5 on the drive for 57 yards and capped off the drive with a 17-yard touchdown to redshirt junior River Helms.
The Hilltoppers quickly got the ball back after forcing a punt, but quickly were forced to punt it back to Sam Houston after a three-and-out.
Sam Houston was forced to punt their next drive, despite moving past midfield, after being set back by an offensive pass interference.
The following WKU drive stalled around midfield as well, forcing another punt.
The Bearkats responded with their first scoring drive of the game, opening the second quarter with a 37-yard passing touchdown.
WKU followed with a scoring drive of their own that ended with a 51-yard field goal to make it 10-7.
Sam Houston responded with another big play touchdown on a 50-yard pass. The four play, 73-yard drive made it 14-10.
WKU answered with a longer touchdown drive that went 75 yards in 13 plays. Young concluded the drive with an 11-yard receiving touchdown to make it 17-14.
Following a Sam Houston punt, WKU ran the clock out to halftime, despite moving into Sam Houston territory.
The Hilltoppers did not use their final timeout with their last drive of the half. Time ran out on WKU after a reception at the Sam Houston 18-yard-line.
Second Half
Sam Houston began the second half with a 10-play drive that ultimately ended with a missed field goal.
WKU’s first drive of the second half resulted in a punt despite moving the ball past midfield.
The Bearkats were quickly forced to punt again on their next drive after their starting quarterback Hunter Watson went out with an injury.
WKU followed with another quick punt, giving the Bearkats the back with 22 seconds left in the third quarter.
The next Sam Houston drive began with a 31-yard pass play. The drive ended with no points however as redshirt junior Hosea Wheeler blocked a field goal attempt.
Hutchinson proceeded to give the Hilltoppers a 24-14 lead on the third play of the next drive with a 74-yard receiving touchdown.
The Bearkats fumbled a snap on their next drive, giving WKU the ball back at the Sam Houston 24-yard line.
Veltkamp proceeded to rush it in from 19 yards out to give the Hilltoppers a 31-14 lead.
Sam Houston drove into Hilltopper territory with their next drive before turning it over on downs.
After a punt by WKU, redshirt junior Upton Stout ended any chance of a comeback with an interception.
The Hilltoppers will have another bye week next week before returning home to face Kennesaw State on Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. CT.
“This is the time of the year where you need these wins, when you go on the road,” Helton said.“It says a lot about our football team, and we get to recover a little bit, we get a bye so that’s good. We got some bumps and bruises guys need to heal but sitting in a good position.”
Sports Reporter Camden Bush can be reached at [email protected].
