WKU Football fought off a third quarter surge by New Mexico State Saturday, en route to a 41-28 conference win.
“Good win tonight,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “You know, you always want to be 1-0 in November, when you start the month. We did that, went out on the road today and got a good, hard fought win, good team win.”
WKU commanded the game outside of the majority of the third quarter in which NMSU cut a 24-7 Hilltopper lead to 24-21.
“I think the fact that we got up early, had some early adversity in the second half, and were able to shut that down and keep going towards the win. I think it shows a lot about our team, and shows that we’re on a good path to a conference championship,” Redshirt sophomore Easton Messer said.
The Hilltoppers improved to 5-0 in C-USA play and 7-2 overall with the win. WKU sits in first place in the conference with three games remaining.
Redshirt sophomore Caden Veltkamp threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but also two interceptions. Veltkamp was also productive with his legs in the redzone as he rushed for two touchdowns.
WKU’s wide receiver room was once again very productive. Senior Kisean Johnson, redshirt sophomore Easton Messer and redshirt sophomore K.D. Hutchinson all went for at least 69 yards and a touchdown.
WKU’s defense came up with a lot of big plays but also allowed some. The unit forced five turnovers in the contest and allowed just over 100 passing yards. However, the Aggies managed to run for over 300 yards and three touchdowns.
“Our defense had to do some dirty work tonight,” Helton said. “But they came up with a lot of turnovers tonight, a lot of big plays defensively.”
First Half
WKU won the coin toss and chose to receive the opening kickoff
The Hilltoppers quickly drove down the field and took a 7-0 lead on a 54-yard receiving touchdown by Messer.
NMSU’s first drive of the game ended abruptly after an interception on the first play. The pick gave WKU the ball back at the NMSU 28-yard line.
The Hilltoppers proceeded to score again on a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Veltkamp, making it 14-0.
The Aggies responded with a 13-play 70-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, making it 14-7.
WKU opened up the second quarter with a trick play touchdown to make it 21-7. Redshirt senior wide receiver Dalvin Smith completed a 51-yard pass to Johnson for the score.
NMSU threw another interception the following drive, but WKU quickly gave it back after being forced to punt.
The following NMSU drive lasted eight plays and ended with a missed 54-yard field goal.
The Aggies quickly got the ball back on Veltkamp’s first interception of the day.
The following drive took the majority of the remaining time in the half. NMSU drove deep into WKU territory before ultimately fumbling away a snap.
With just under a minute remaining in the half WKU drove down the field and added a field goal to take a 24-7 lead into the half.
Second Half
Both teams’ first drives of the second half ended quickly as Veltkamp threw his second interception of the day following a punt by the Aggies.
NMSU’s second drive of the half resulted in a touchdown on a 3-yard rush, making it 24-14.
The following WKU drive resulted in a three-and-out quickly giving it back to NMSU.
The Aggies proceeded to quickly add another score, cutting the deficit to 24-21 on a 7-yard rushing touchdown. The drive also featured a 47-yard rush and a 34-yard completion.
WKU stopped the bleeding the following drive with a nine-play touchdown drive to make it 31-21. Veltkamp capped off the drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown.
The Hilltoppers regained possession early in the fourth quarter following a fumble by the Aggies at midfield.
The turnover by NMSU resulted in another WKU touchdown, making it 38-21. Veltkamp ended the drive with a 28-yard passing touchdown.
Each team was forced to punt with their following drives.
The Hilltoppers extended their lead with a 53-yard field goal on the next drive.
NMSU cut the final deficit to 41-28 with a 29-yard passing touchdown late in the fourth.
WKU will return to Bowling Green next Saturday to take on Lousiana Tech. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
Sports Reporter Camden Bush can be reached at [email protected]
