LA Tech v. WKU Recap

This past Thursday night, the Hilltoppers made their way to Ruston, Louisiana to duke it out with the LA Tech Bulldogs in what was their second bout of Conference USA play, taking place in enemy territory.

The Hilltoppers gave away quick turnover on the first drive, but got the ball back and immediately took control of the first half, scoring 35 unanswered points before halftime. Despite not scoring in the second half, the Hilltoppers were able to defeat the Bulldogs 35-28, moving to 2-0 in C-USA play.

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14:30: Quarterback Austin Reed is picked off by redshirt junior defensive back Cedric Woods on his first pass of the game, which was the second offensive play run by the Hilltoppers.

12:35: A five-play, 42-yard drive leads to a touchdown as LA Tech strikes gold first, with senior running back Tyre Shelton, a transfer from Miami (OH) bursting through the Western front-seven for a 25 yard touchdown run. 0-7, LA Tech leads.

12:03: Malachi Corley house call! Reed rolls out and hits the star receiver Corley on a short completion along the boundary, who takes it for a long 70-yard touchdown. This catch put Corley at second all-time in receptions for the Hilltoppers (210), just behind Taywan Taylor (253). 7-7, tied ball game.

5:17: The WKU defense acts as a brick wall, forcing a turnover-on-downs and a punt from the Bulldogs in their previous two drives. Reed and the offense start their fourth drive of the game from their own 20, where redshirt junior running back Markese Stepp breaks loose for a 56-yard touchdown run. 14-7, Tops lead.

3:41: Interception! A quick three-play drive ends in an interception from Bulldogs quarterback Jack Turner to sophomore defensive back Virgil Marshall.

2:23: A smooth three-play, 16-yard drive ends in a go-ahead touchdown run from redshirt senior running back Davion Ervin-Poindexter. 21-7, Hilltoppers lead.

9:47: Touchdown, Hilltoppers! Reed puts on a passing clinic, completing five-of-six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown after finding Corley on a dump off, which he promptly takes in for a 48-yard touchdown. 28-7, WKU leads.

0:20: After back-to-back-to-back offensive tries ending in punts from each the Bulldogs and Hilltoppers, WKU gets the ball with 5:26 remaining in the first half. A 14 play and 88 yard drive allows the Tops to control the clock. Reed finds Corley - again - on a 29-yard connection in traffic in the endzone. 35-7, WKU leads.

0:02: The Bulldogs attempt to get on the board one more time before the half, but ends the quarter with a 53-yard attempt blocked by the WKU special teams unit.

The Hilltoppers, after falling flat in the first half, put up 35 unanswered points heading into halftime following the lone Bulldogs score.

Reed, following an opening interception, bounces back and goes 13-for-21 with 256 yards, adding three passing touchdowns.

Corley dominated the nation's sixth-ranked pass defense, as he was able to haul five catches on 174 yards, totalling all three receiving touchdowns.

Regarding the ground game, Stepp led the way for the Hilltoppers, having posted four carries for 66 yards and a touchdown score by halftime. Stepp’s performance gives the Hilltoppers their third running back in just two games to have season-best performances.

The defense was stout, forcing a fumble and picking an interception, all while holding the Bulldogs to 4.3 yards on the ground, a 38.89% pass completion rate, a turnover on downs, and four punts.

8:41: After a couple of punting drives from the opposing offensive units, the Bulldogs manage to score first in the second half as Turner hits receiver Kyle Maxwell for a 19-yard touchdown strike in the corner of the endzone. 35-14, Tops lead.

5:14: The WKU offense stalls again in the second half, as the unit exits the field on a turnover on downs rather quickly following a six play, 29 yard drive.

3:13: Now, the Bulldogs offense seems to have found their stride, as Turner scores on a one-yard rushing touchdown following back-to-back 35-yard and 18-yard completions to their star receiver, Smoke Harris. 35-21, Hilltoppers lead.

15:00: The Bulldogs open the final quarter on fourth down, with Shelton converting for a first down on a strong 15-yard run. A bad snap puts the Bulldogs at second-and-25. Linebacker Kylan Guidry then sacks Turner, making it third and 32. Following a stuffed screen pass, the defense again forces another punt.

4:52: The Bulldogs drive the ball down the field on a six play, 47-yard drive. Shelton carried the ball three times for 16 yards, ending the drive on a one-yard touchdown nod. 35-28, Hilltoppers maintain the lead.

3:09: A gutsy drive from the Hilltoppers, as Reed takes the Hilltoppers to fourth-and-one in their own territory. The Tops go for it under center, but a penalty on tight end Hunter Helms pushes the offense back to fourth and six. Ellard delivers a 33-yard punt.

1:44: Interception! Anthony Johnson Jr picks off Turner in what is a crucial turnover for the Hilltoppers, sealing the game.

0:00: The Hilltoppers kneel to take the win. 35-28, WKU victory.

Final: WKU 35, LA Tech 28

With this victory over LA Tech, the Hilltoppers move to 2-0 in C-USA play and 4-2 on the season.

The Hilltoppers (4-2) take the field again Tuesday, October 17 against Jacksonville State (5-1) in Jacksonville, Alabama at 6:30 PM in their third bout of C-USA play.

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