In the deserts of El Paso, Texas, the Hilltoppers rose victorious over the opposing Miners of the Conference USA, advancing Western Kentucky to 3-2 in the conference play with a score of 21-13.
The Hilltoppers offense fell flat in the first half, unable to score a single point through the first two quarters of play. The only score of the game by halftime came from UTEP, who put up a field goal.
In the second half, WKU was able to open their drive in an electrifying way. Running back Elijah Young broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run. When UTEP got the ball back, the Hilltoppers infamous TakeawayTops defensive mantra came through, as defensive back Davion Williams picked off Miners quarterback Cade McConnell, returning the ball to the TopsGun offense.
The Hilltoppers capitalized on this opportunity with a long 16-play, 54 yard drive that saw Austin Reed complete six of his seven passes for 42 yards and a touchdown, hitting star receiver Malachi Corley on a three yard score. The Miners responded quickly, with quarterback McConnell hitting receiver Kelly Akharaiyi for a 62-yard go-ahead touchdown.
The Tops scored their final points of the game the very next drive on an eight play, 75-yard drive which ended with a one yard touchdown run from Young. Two punts and a field goal later, the Hilltoppers got out of El Paso with a 21-13 win.
Who Showed Out?
Elijah Young: The junior running back, who transferred in to Western Kentucky by way of the SEC’s Missouri this past off-season, rumbled his way for 139 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, averaging 11.6 yards per carry.
Sebastian Benjamin: An under-the-radar but exciting addition via the transfer portal this past off-season, the redshirt junior spent four seasons at Saint Francis, earning All-NEC First Team honors following his 2022 campaign. Benjamin garnered five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1.5 tackles for loss against UTEP. The linebacker is now at 20 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three sacks this season.
Davion Williams: The cornerback had the only takeaway for the Hilltoppers defense, which shifted the momentum in a big way for the remainder of the game. The redshirt senior also added three tackles.
The Hilltoppers will take the field again on Saturday, November 11th against New Mexico State (7-3, 5-1 in C-USA), with kickoff scheduled for 2:30pm. The game is Western Kentucky’s homecoming event for the season, and will be streamed on ESPN+.
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