Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to correct the score of the game to 35-16, and correct the name of WKU quarterback, Rodney Tisdale Jr.
It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.
Led by redshirt freshman quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. in his second start, WKU Football avenged its homecoming loss from last season, beating New Mexico State 35-16.
The Hilltoppers move to 7-2 on the year heading into their second bye week, which comes before the toughest stretch of their season. Coming out of the bye, they’ll face rival MTSU before going on the road to face LSU and Jacksonville State.
The Good
WKU demonstrated the ability to come alive once again when it mattered most. After their first four drives consisted of a turnover on downs, a punt, another turnover on downs and an interception, the Hilltoppers would rattle off two straight touchdown drives to take a lead into halftime. Three consecutive touchdown drives in the third and fourth quarters put the game out of reach.
Despite the slow start, scoring zero points in the first quarter, the Hilltoppers, and specifically Tisdale, found momentum and seized it. Similar to games against Missouri State and Delaware, WKU finds ways to win in the late stages, which will be crucial heading into their conference games against Middle Tennessee State and Jacksonville State.
The Great
The WKU defense played its most complete game since the Hilltoppers’ Aug. 30 matchup versus North Alabama. They held the Aggies to nine points offensively and allowed 176 total yards. New Mexico State converted just five third downs on 18 attempts, and were denied the endzone for the first time this season.
“Thought we did a good job in the run game, for sure,” said head coach Tyson Helton. “Didn’t give up any explosives in the run game, got after the quarterback. That’s what we’ve been missing a little bit.”
The true defensive highlight was the Hilltopper run defense, which allowed just 66 yards on the ground, their lowest allowed this season. After getting gashed all season on big runs and getting attacked by dual-threat quarterbacks, the Hilltoppers’ defense put their cleats in the ground and forced the Aggies to produce through the air.
“I want to be a defense-driven football team,” Helton continued. “If your defense is the big dog, you’ve got a chance to be really, really good.”
Is it Ugly?
The Hilltoppers remain in third place in Conference USA seeding. With the Blue Raiders and Gamecocks left on the schedule in conference play, WKU controls its own destiny to make the conference championship game. In terms of hosting it however, WKU will need some help. Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State play each other on Nov. 15, which will see one of them lose their first game of the year. If the Owls lose, WKU has an opportunity to host if it wins out in the conference slate since the Hilltoppers play the Gamecocks to close out the season, giving them the tie-breaker.
