DESMYN BAKER’s 4TH-QUARTER INTERCEPTION
THAT SEALED THE 28-23 VICTORY.
WKU IMPROVES TO 6-5, GAINS BOWL ELIGIBILITY
A work of art, it wasn’t.
But it looked like a masterpiece to fifth-year Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton, and his Hilltoppers football squad on a sunny, seasonably chilly Saturday afternoon at Houchens-Smith Stadium.
The way Helton sees it, it was an evening at The Houch to remember.
Western Kentucky battled through five turnovers, including four interceptions from senior QB Austin Reed, to slip past Conference USA newcomer Sam Houston State, 28-23, before a paid crowd of 11,041 in the Tops’ regular-season home finale.
PUT THE BEARKATS IN FRONT, 23-21, EARLY
IN THE SECOND HALF. THEY DIDN’T SCORE AGAIN.
With the hard-fought victory, Western Kentucky became bowl eligible for the fifth consecutive season, something Helton addressed immediately in his postgame press conference. The Hilltoppers improved to 6-5 overall and 4-3 in Conference USA play will close the regular season next Saturday on the road against Florida International University (4-7 overall, 1-6 in C-USA play) in Miami.
“Our team just kept battling,” Helton said after unfurling his “Bowl Bound/WKU” T-shirt during the press conference. “I can’t say enough about our defense.”
AND JUNIOR RECEIVER MILACHI CORLEY.
HAD 10 RECEPTIONS FOR 115 YARDS AND THIS TD.
Senior WKU quarterback Austin Reed, sporting his “Bowl Bound/WKU” T-shirt while meeting with the media, found star wide receiver Malachi Corley on the right sideline for the go-ahead score, a touchdown pass that covered 75 yards, early in the fourth quarter.
It was the fourth and final lead change of the game.
“We found a way to win,” Reed said. “Our defense played really well … It was kind of a weird game, and I had some mixed emotions (playing at home for the final time).
“Getting bowl eligible is a big deal for guys like me and Malachi.”
HAD 10 RECEPTIONS FOR 171 YARDS
AND THE GAME’s DECISIVE TOUCHDOWN.
THE 28-23 VICTORY WITH A LATE INTERCEPTION.
Western Kentucky entered the 2023 season as the odds-on favorite in a retooled Conference USA, what with Reed, Corley and several other experienced skill position players returning from last year’s 9-5 squad that dominated South Alabama, 44-23, in the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl in N’Awlins.
It’s been a challenging season, however, with a rash of injuries and setbacks against the likes of Conference USA newcomers Liberty University, Jacksonville State and last week’s disappointing 38-29 loss to New Mexico State.
“We just kept playing football … This was a great test for our team,” Helton said. “We’re very happy about being bowl bound.”
Reed completed 28 of 41 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns.
The game came down to one final series for Sam Houston State, which reached the WKU 8-yard line and the final minute of the game. But SHSU quarterback Keegan Shoemaker was intercepted by the Hilltoppers’ Desmyn Baker, a 6-foot-2, 233-pound inside linebacker on a fourth-down play just in front of the goal line.
The interception sealed the victory while sending the Hilltoppers back to the postseason.
“The defense always sets the tone,” said WKU defensive end Deante McCray, a strapping 6-foot-4, 270-pound redshirt freshman from Jacksonville, Florida. “There’s still a lot we can do, for our seniors, next week against Florida International.”
I’ll have a complete story on the Hilltoppers’ dramatic victory Sunday morning. Also, we’ll be blowing out the KHSAA Class 5A state semifinals between Bowling Green High School (10-3 overall) and traditional postseason rival Owensboro High School (9-4). Thanks for reading jimmashek.com
GOIN’ BOWLING AGAIN IN 2023 …