It was by no means flawless, but WKU Football got it done.
In their return to The Houch, the Hilltoppers prevailed in an ugly, gritty game against the Nevada Wolf Pack, a team that was looking for its own signature moment to spark its season.
In a game that saw them trailing at halftime for the second game in a row, WKU held Nevada out of the endzone in the second half and used the run game for their most productive game so far this season to close out a win.
As the conference slate opens, here’s how I feel going forward.
The Good
Bent but didn’t break. That’s what happened on both sides of the ball. Despite quarterback Maverick McIvor having no touchdowns and throwing an interception, he managed well with 216 yards on the day. His worst performance of the season, but he didn’t hurt the Hilltoppers.
On the defensive side, WKU wasn’t gashed by the Wolf Pack running game. Despite the defense giving up 207 yards rushing, Nevada quarterback Chubba Purdy wasn’t able to create chaos with his legs, and the big chunk plays were not given up in bunches. The Wolf Pack had three runners finish with at least 60 yards, but the team only managed one touchdown.
The Bad
Finally, I don’t have to talk about the run defense. The Hilltoppers have a bigger issue in the offense. In their last two games, WKU has scored 10 points in the first half and three turnovers. Just three points were scored in the first half against the Wolf Pack.
The Hilltoppers managed just 124 yards of offense in the first half and converted one first down. These slow starts could hurt the team as they enter conference play, as these teams are more familiar with WKU and will look to pounce on any opportunities given to them.
Is it Ugly?
The Hilltoppers enter their conference slate on the road against Missouri State, which demolished UT Martin in their last game. The Bears ran for 133 yards against the Skyhawks, en route to a 42-10 victory. They hold a 1-1 record at home and have lost both of their Power 4 matchups to USC and SMU.
The Hilltoppers are 0-1 on the road so far this season and 3-4 on the road last season. With a one-game advantage over most teams in Conference USA, WKU has an opportunity to earn some statement wins in conference play on the road.
“If you want to compete for championships, you’ve got to go on the road and win in this league,” Head coach Tyson Helton said. “And it’s tough to win on the road in the leagues. So we’ve got to be ready for another four-quarter game. I know Missouri State is a good football team. I know they’ll be fired up to play us, as we will them, and I expect it to be another four-quarter game.”
