Courtesy of WKU Athletics
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – WKU Football moved to 5-0 in Conference USA play with a 41-28 win over New Mexico State on Saturday at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
It was the fourth consecutive win for the Hilltoppers (7-2 overall, 5-0 CUSA). WKU is one of two teams sitting at 5-0 in CUSA play after Saturday’s games.
WKU’s defense forced five turnovers in the game, while the Hilltopper offense posted its third-highest point total of the season.
The Hilltoppers took a quick lead by scoring on the game’s opening possession with a 54-yard touchdown reception from Easton Messer on a pass from Caden Veltkamp. After forcing a turnover on New Mexico State’s first play – a Dallas Walker interception – Veltkamp scored on a 1-yard keeper to cap off a six-play, 28-yard drive to give WKU a 14-0 lead just over five minutes into the game.
WKU used some trickery to extend its lead to 21-7. Wide receiver Dalvin Smith completed a 51-yard touchdown pass to Kisean Johnson on the first play of the second quarter for the team’s third touchdown of the game. Smith’s TD pass was his second touchdown pass of the season and the fourth of his career.
After Hosea Wheeler recovered a fumble at the WKU 17-yard line with 53 seconds left in the first half to end New Mexico State’s scoring threat, WKU drove 59 yards down the field and Lucas Carneiro made a 42-yard field goal as time expired to put the Hilltoppers ahead 24-7.
New Mexico State scored first in the second half on a 3-yard run, making it a 24-14 game. The Aggies cut the deficit to three at 24-21 with a 7-yard touchdown run with 5:28 left in the third.
Veltkamp gave WKU some breathing room with a 3-yard touchdown run after a 34-yard pass to K.D. Hutchinson on the play before, making it a 31-21 Hilltopper lead with 59 seconds left in the third quarter.
Veltkamp threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns on 18-27-2 passing, and added a pair of rushing touchdowns. Veltkamp now has seven rushing touchdowns this season, and it was the second time this season Veltkamp rushed for multiple touchdowns in a game.
“Good win tonight. You always want to be 1-0 in November when you start the month. We did that. Went on the road today and got a good, hard-fought win, a good team win,” Head coach Tyson Helton said. “We get to go back home now and get to play another good Conference USA opponent and try to make it 2-0 in November and keep it rolling.”
WKU will return home to face Louisiana Tech for a homecoming game next Saturday, Nov. 16. Kickoff at Houchens-Smith Stadium is scheduled for 11 a.m.
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