Western Kentucky University rolled past UTEP 44-17 on Thursday night at Houchens-Smith Stadium, improving to 3-0 at home and 2-0 in Conference USA play. The Hilltoppers (4-2 overall, 2-0 C-USA), decked out in Big Red-inspired uniforms, amassed nearly 300 yards of offense in the first half en route to a commanding 27-7 lead, before finishing off the Miners (0-6, 0-3) to remain undefeated all-time (5-0) against UTEP.
How It Happened
WKU struck first with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Caden Veltkamp to Dalvin Smith. UTEP quickly answered with a 76-yard touchdown pass, but the Hilltoppers closed the half with 20 unanswered points. Michael Mathison’s 12-yard rushing touchdown, set up by a Demarko Williams interception, a 25-yard field goal from Lucas Carneiro, and Veltkamp’s 2-yard rushing score built the lead. Carneiro capped the half with a 42-yard field goal.
UTEP opened the second half with a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown, but WKU responded with Veltkamp finding Mathison for two more touchdowns, including a 14-yard strike, as Mathison recorded three total scores. Carneiro closed the scoring with a career-long 54-yard field goal.
Notables
WKU’s 44 points were their second-highest output of the season. The Hilltoppers rushed for a season-best 218 yards, and Mathison tallied three touchdowns on four touches, his first scores since Nov. 2022. Veltkamp threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns, while Elijah Young led the team with 60 rushing yards. WKU’s defense delivered eight tackles for loss and three sacks, while Demarko Williams grabbed his first career interception.
Quotable
Head coach Tyson Helton said, “Celebrate all wins. We’re very happy to win this game, but we need to get a lot better, and we need to get better real fast in every area.”
Next Up
WKU heads to Huntsville, Texas, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, to face Sam Houston. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT, with the game broadcast on ESPN2.
