A dominant defensive performance allowed WKU Football to escape with a 31-16 victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack.

Trailing 10-3 at the half, the Hilltoppers mounted a 9-play, 75-yard drive out of halftime to set the tone for the second half. The Hilltoppers outscored the Wolf Pack 21-6 for the remainder of the game.

The Hilltopper defense led the way, holding Nevada to 16 points. In five trips to the red zone, the Wolf Pack only scored a touchdown once. Junior defensive back Jaylen Lewis put together a monster performance, recording an interception and recovering a fumble, both in the red zone when the Wolf Pack threatened to take a two-score lead.

“God gave me the play, and I made it,” Jaylen Lewis said.

Senior running back George Hart III breathed life into the offense with a solid running attack. Hart ran for 63 yards on 11 attempts and a touchdown. Senior running back La’vell Wright added on with 7 carries for 47 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“I’m really proud of La’vell Wright. I gave him the game ball tonight,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “He put us on his shoulders, and carried us and made some fantastic runs.”

The Hilltoppers finished the game with 145 rushing yards, the second-best rushing performance of the season.

Sophomore tight end Noah Meyers led the way in receiving with 6 catches for 81 yards, his best performance as a Hilltopper.

“I gave Noah a big hug, Noah was dinged up from the previous game. Wasn’t sure if he was able to go,” Helton said. “He toughed it out and made some great catches for us. Just so you know, Noah’s a competitor.”

The win moves the Hilltoppers to 3-1 on the season. This is the third 3-1 start of the Helton era, and the Tops’ second straight.

WKU starts a two-game road trip in Springfield, Missouri, as they play the Missouri State Bears on Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.