A dominant defensive performance powered the Hilltoppers to a 35-16 homecoming victory over the New Mexico State Aggies at Houchens-Smith Stadium Saturday evening.
The WKU defense held the Aggies to just 176 yards of offense, and never surrendered a touchdown in the win. The unit allowed just nine points and held the Aggies to two field goals on both red zone trips, building on a game in which the unit held Louisiana Tech to four field goals on six red zone trips.
“The defense did such a fantastic job of just continuing to give us momentum,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “Then our offense caught fire and started to score. I was saying this all week, I want to be a defense-driven football team.”
The defensive performance marks the first time the Hilltopper defense allowed less than 10 points to a conference opponent since a 73-0 win over Florida International in 2022.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. built on a great first game, throwing for 301 yards and 4 touchdowns, with just one interception in his second start.
“What I love about Rodney is, whether he throws a touchdown or interception, he’s still the same guy,” Helton said. “When he threw the interception, he was able to come back and get momentum and get drives going.”
Senior wide receiver Matthew Henry was a reliable weapon for Tisdale, catching seven passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Junior wide receiver KD Hutchinson put up another impressive stat line with seven catches for 83 yards.
The Hilltopper offense struggled in the first quarter, gaining just 54 yards on its first four drives and trailing 3-0. An eight-play, 75-yard drive early in the second quarter set the scene for a five-touchdown performance for the Hilltopper offense. The offense gained 434 yards on the day, while topping 400 yards for the third time this season.
The win brings the Hilltoppers to 7-2 on the season, the second straight 7-2 start in the Helton era. Last season, the Hilltoppers rushed out to a 7-2 start before collapsing by going 1-4 the rest of the way.
The Hilltoppers get a week of rest before hosting Middle Tennessee on Nov. 15 in their final game at Houchens-Smith Stadium this season. Kickoff is TBD.
