Liberty came into the game second in Conference USA at 4-1-1, with their only loss to first place FIU.  The Flames managed 17 shot attempts and five shots on goal, and were turned away on all five.  The Flames lead the conference in shot attempts and are tied for first in goals scored.

“We had a game plan tonight. They have some very good attacking players and we felt like we needed to shut those players down,” Head Coach Jason Neidell said. “I thought our players did an excellent job of understanding and executing their individual roles and understanding our game plan as a team. We executed defensively very well tonight. I thought we were really disciplined in what we did.”

The Hilltoppers managed five shot attempts and just one shot on goal, held away from the goal by the Liberty defense.  This is the third straight game WKU has not scored a goal.

Senior goalkeeper Maddie Davis recorded five saves in the game.  It’s her fifth clean sheet of the season and 13th of her career.

The Hilltoppers move to 3-7-4 (1-2-4 C-USA).  With just two games before the C-USA Tournament, WKU sits eighth in the conference.

WKU will travel to Miami, Florida to play the FIU Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 27th.

The game can be watched on ESPN +

Sports Reporter Michael Givner Jr. can be reached at Michael.givner586@topper.wku.edu

The Hilltoppers were tormented by the Blue Raider defense, being denied on all four shot-on -goal attempts and missing all 11 shots.  The Hilltoppers committed nine fouls in the game.

“Give credit to MTSU,” Head Coach Jason Neidell said. “We played a really good MTSU team tonight who went at us in the second half and was very clinical when it mattered most.”

The Blue Raiders hit on two of their 22 shot attempts, with one in the 27th minute and the other in the 54th minute.  MTSU managed 10 shots on goal, with senior goalkeeper Maddie Davis managing eight saves in the match, just one save shy of her career high.

The loss drops WKU to 3-7-3 (1-2-3 C-USA).

“We will regroup to welcome another really good Liberty team next week,” Neidell said.“We have our backs up against the wall and will be ready.”

The Hilltoppers will return to Bowling Green to play Liberty on Saturday, Oct. 19th at 6pm.

Sports reporter Michael Givner Jr. can be reached at Michael.givner586@topper.wku.edu

The two teams could not convert on their 18 combined shot attempts. Both teams had four shots on goal, but the Hilltoppers threatened more, out-shooting the Gamecocks 10-8.

Senior goalkeeper Maddie Davis had four saves in the game, keeping all of the Gamecocks shot attempts out of the net.

“We’ve gotten progressively better every game defensively,” Head Coach Jason Neidell said. “We’re more organized than we were in the beginning of the season.”

The Hilltoppers move to 3-6-3 (1-1-3 C-USA). With a rough September in the rearview mirror, they have looked much more comfortable thanks to the defense. WKU sits at fourth in the conference, tied with Kennesaw State and behind FIU, Sam Houston State  and New Mexico State.

“Kendall Wade’s playing great, Abby Wiedermann’s playing great, Maddie Davis is playing great, Brooke, Aspen, everyone we’ve put back there is playing great,” Neidell said. “As I always say, defending is a team effort. From the forwards to the midfielders to the backs. I thought we did a sufficient enough job to keep them out of the back of the net today. So, that was good to see.”

WKU will take a week’s break before a short road trip to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to play Middle Tennessee State. The game is set for Sunday, Oct. 13 at 5 p.m.

Sports reporter Michael Givner Jr. can be reached at michael.givner586@topper.wku.edu

It’s never over until it’s over. With three minutes left in the game, Rummo sank the tying goal off of a near goal from sophomore Georgia Liapis.

“Really, really proud of Lily [Rummo], that’s two for her in the last two games,” Head Coach Jason Neidell said. “It’s good to see her come alive. She’s a great player.”

The Hilltoppers move to 3-6-2 (1-1-2 Conference USA) on the season. They sit at fifth in the conference.

Both teams went scoreless in the first half. Kennesaw State scored first in the 67th minute, but the Hilltopper defense stifled them the rest of the game, holding them to just three shot attempts in the second half.

“We showed some determination in coming from behind,” Neidell said. “That’s something that is certainly tough in the game of soccer because it’s hard to score goals. It was a team effort to come from behind. We just need to be a little bit grittier in the final part of the field, which is the danger area, to get after it, create some chaos and score some more goals in that part of the field.”

The Hilltoppers will look to carry this momentum into a win as they will host Jacksonville State on Sunday, Oct. 6 at the WKU Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Sports reporter Michael Givner Jr. can be reached at michael.givner586@topper.wku.edu

For photos of the game, click here.

The Hilltoppers picked up their first win in September, snapping a streak of six games without a win.  It’s the teams fourth game this season in which they’ve held a team scoreless.

The win gives WKU their first Conference USA win, moving them to 3-6-1 (1-1-1 CUSA).  The team is 4-3-1 all time versus the Miners, and 2-1-1 all time in El Paso.

WKU’s first goal found the back of the net off the leg of Lily Rummo in the 24th minute, her first of the season and sixth of her career.  

The Hilltoppers scored their second in the 40th minute off of a penalty kick.  Fellow grad student Olivia Cooke was bumped into by the UTEP goalie, which earned the goalie a red card.  Cooke scored her second goal of the season and fifth of her career on the penalty.

Senior goalkeeper Maddie Davis racked up all of WKU’s seven saves, holding the Miners off in the second half, protecting the net from 13 Miner shots and seven shots on goal.  

Davis now has 101 saves in her career as she picked up her third clean sheet of the season.

WKU will return to Bowling Green to host C-USA newcomer Kennesaw State on Thursday, Oct. 3rd at 7 p.m at the WKU Soccer Complex.

In a game dominated by defense, Boston College had just enough of a second half spark to avoid a Hilltopper upset.  The Eagles forced three turnovers, held WKU to 108 total yards in the second half, and kept WKU from crossing midfield on all but one drive in the fourth quarter.

“Tough one,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “Hats off to Boston College. They found a way to win. Proud of our guys. They kept battling and they made plays.  We needed to find a way to win there at the end, but we didn’t get it done. But we’ll bounce back. We’ll get back home and get ready for conference play. Our guys fought hard.”

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Caden Veltkamp had 232 yards passing and added 16 yards on the ground.  He threw for two touchdowns, but threw two interceptions and fumbled.

Senior running back Elijah Young had 107 scrimmage yards, 85 rushing and 22 receiving.  WKU overall ran for 123 yards. Redshirt junior River Helms had his best game of the season, hauling in four passes for 72 yards.

What kept the Hilltoppers in the game was the defense, holding the Eagles to just 111 yards rushing and forced two turnovers. WKU scored 10 points off turnovers and forced five BC punts.

“I thought defensively we could keep them in check… and we did,” Helton said. “We needed to go make some plays offensively in the second half.   We just didn’t finish the drives. We kicked two field goals. Then we went into the fourth quarter and needed to go put the ball in the end zone and we didn’t get it done. Defensively, guys battled hard. It’s our job offensively to go get those points for them.”

First Quarter

WKU got the ball first, and Veltkamp and the offense got going quickly. The 10-play drive stalled at the BC 18-yard line, where Veltkamp was stopped short on a fourth down run.

BC’s opening drive resulted in a punt after five plays, giving the ball back to the Hilltoppers at the WKU 37-yard line. WKU went on an 8-play, 63-yard drive, including a 33-yard pass from Veltkamp to tight end River Helms, finding the endzone on a 3-yard touchdown pass to Kisean Johnson.

BC went three-and-out on the following drive, before getting the ball right back on an intercepted pass.

Second Quarter

Three plays later, BC quarterback Grayson James’ pass was intercepted by senior linebacker Keondre Williams, giving WKU the ball to start the second quarter.

The Hilltoppers capitalized, scoring off Veltkamp’s second touchdown, finding redshirt sophomore Easton Messer for a 3-yard touchdown making it 14-0 WKU.

The two teams traded punts late in the second quarter. The Eagles went on a 13-play, 74-yard drive, ending in a touchdown run by former Hilltopper running back Kye Robichaux.

With two minutes left in the half, WKU drove 71 yards in 12-plays, ending the drive with a Lucas Carneiro field goal. The Hilltoppers went into the locker room up 17-7 over the Eagles.

Third Quarter

The Eagles opened the third quarter with a 3-play drive that resulted in a fumble, forced by redshirt junior defensive back Kent Robinson and recovered by senior defensive back Devonte Matthews.  

The Hilltoppers marched all the way to the BC 17-yard line, where they settled for Carneiro’s second field goal of the game after a 12-play, 36-yard drive, stretching their lead to 13 points at 20-7.

On BC’s second drive, a sack by redshirt sophomore lineman Deante McCray forced a punt after a 10-play drive.  

The Hilltoppers answered with their own 10-play drive, but it ended with an interception. A screen pass went off receiver Michael Mathison’s hands and into the arms of BC defensive back Cam Arnold, handing the ball to the Eagles at the BC 43-yard line.

Fourth Quarter

BC cashed in the interception with a touchdown, finding the endzone on a 1-yard touchdown run by James to end a 9-play, 57-yard drive.  The WKU lead still remained at six, 20-14.

The Hilltoppers went three-and-out on their next drive, punting after a holding penalty and a Veltkamp sack by BC star edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku.

Despite a pass interference penalty that extended BC’s next drive, the Hilltopper defense forced three straight incompletions, forcing a punt that put them at the WKU 12-yard line.

A drive that started off great with an Elijah Young hurdle ended in disaster as Veltkamp got hit on the release by Ezeiruaku, forcing a fumble and giving BC the ball at the WKU 20. 

BC cashed in on the fumble with an 8-yard touchdown throw by James, giving BC their first lead with 3:33 left in the fourth, 21-20. 

WKU now entered desperation mode, down one with under four minutes left. Starting at the WKU 8-yard line, Veltkamp threw three straight incompletions. On fourth down, he found redshirt senior Dalvin Smith for a crucial conversion. WKU gained 31 more yards on the drive, ending with three straight Veltkamp incompletions, resulting in a turnover on downs.  

A read-option run for 13-yards by James and two kneel downs ended the game, giving the Eagles the one point victory 21-20.

WKU will look to bounce back Thursday, Oct. 10, against conference foe UTEP.

Sports reporter Michael Givner Jr. can be reached at michael.givner586@topper.wku.edu

This is the Hilltoppers sixth straight game without a win and fifth loss in six attempts, dropping WKU to 2-6-1 (0-1-1 Conference USA) on the season.

The Aggie defense was stifling all 90 minutes, holding WKU to just one shot in the first half and seven for the game.  Three Aggie saves on four WKU shots on goal were enough for NMSU to hold on for the win.

Senior goalkeeper Maddie Davis, who won C-USA Goalkeeper of the week earlier in the week, had three saves on the night.

NMSU opened up scoring with a goal in the 29th minute, cashing in one of their six first half shots on goal.  They would continue their aggressive play into the second half, adding eight shots. The Aggies scored again in the 49th minute.

Sophomore Rebecca Roth scored in the 73rd minute putting WKU on the board.  However, the Hilltoppers only got two more shot attempts the rest of the game.

The Hilltoppers will end their three game road trip in El Paso, Texas against the UTEP Miners on Sept. 29 at 1 pm.  

The Hilltoppers are on a three game winning streak and stand at 3-1 on the season with wins over Eastern Kentucky, Middle Tennessee State, and Toledo.

In his first start, sophomore quarterback Caden Veltkamp ran for two touchdowns and added one more through the air with two interceptions and a fumble.  He had 242 yards passing and added 20 on the ground.  Those stats, accompanied with four forced turnovers by the WKU defense helped the team overcome a 14-point deficit to win.

“Now that he’s got that first starting game under his belt, he needs to take the biggest step as far as improving,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said.“He needs to play a high level of football.  What I love about Caden and all of our quarterbacks is they prepare extremely well.  They’re confident players, they’re pretty cool and calm under pressure so when they do make mistakes, they can go to the next snap and play.  I know he’ll learn from everything, the good and the bad in this game and I expect him to play his best ball in this game.”

The WKU defense performed when it mattered, holding the Rockets to 21 total points and just seven in the second half, a stark contrast from the 42.7 points the team averaged coming in.  Toledo managed to get near their 139 rush yards per game average, but needed 42 attempts to do so.

The WKU offense averages 294 passing yards per game, which leads C-USA and is 20th in the nation.  Their 26.5 points per game ranks 89th in the nation.  Veltkamp has 651 yards passing on the season with a 73.9% completion percentage, which leads the conference.

Senior defensive back Devonte’ Matthews had WKU’s two interceptions, which earned him C-USA Defensive Player of the Week.  He headlines a secondary for the Hilltoppers that allows 249.5 pass yards per game.

“We’re really proud of our guys,” WKU Defensive Coordinator Tyson Summers said.“They’ve done an excellent job. We talk about takeaways and they come in bunches. We came out of the break, the lightning delay, and I think we had four, and the eight minutes of the third quarter and the fourth quarter, I think those were huge. Like we talked about last week, the ability to turn those into offensive points and to be able to play complementary football and to be able to help our offense.”

Boston College, led by former NFL Head Coach Bill O’Brien, averages 32 points per game.  The 3-1 Eagles have wins over Duquesne, Michigan State, and Florida State, with their lone loss to then No.6 ranked Missouri.  

The Eagles average 188 yards passing per game and 191.5 yards rushing per game, giving them an equal, but dangerous way to move the ball down the field.  Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos has 112 yards rushing, with running back Treshaun Ward adding 6.4 yards per carry out of the backfield.

The Boston College defense has halted opposing offenses all season, allowing 14.8 points per game and just 96 rush yards per game.  It could be another rough outing running the ball for WKU, who only averages 93.3 yards per game on the season and had just 71 yards against Toledo.

“They have got a really good football team,” Helton said. “Coach O’Brien’s done a great job with that team. They’ve got some big-time play-makers up there on both sides of the ball. Our guys will be really excited to go up there and play. We’ve got momentum and we’re looking for a big win.”

Michael’s Thoughts

Boston College has four players with 100 yards rushing on the season, including the quarterback.  And they know how to get runs in chunks.  Add in 729 yards passing and 10 touchdowns for Castellanos, and the Eagles have a very dangerous offense.

This is not Middle Tennessee.  Veltkamp has been sacked twice in his last two games, the offensive line keeping him clean.  The Eagles defense has seven sacks on the season, with defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku leading the Eagles in sacks with five and has 5.5 tackles for loss.  Add in the 14.8 points allowed per game, and this could be the toughest defense WKU has faced since Alabama.

WKU has held teams to a 48.15% third-down completion percentage and 53.33% red zone efficiency, meaning they know how to keep teams off the board.  In the teams first close game of the season, they forced four turnovers, a safety, and made two red zone stops late in the fourth quarter to defeat Toledo.

WKU opened the season in Tuscaloosa in front of 100,077 fans.  They haven’t played a game with over 20,000 fans since.  Meanwhile, Boston College has a stadium capacity of 44,500, with an average home attendance of 41,470.  The crowd will be a factor.

Expect a low scoring affair between these two teams.  WKU can keep it close, but the Hilltopper defense will need to stop Boston College’s running attack.  Veltkamp will need to be aggressive and take what he’s given while the offensive line keeps him safe.

The first ever meeting between these two teams will kickoff at 11 a.m at Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The game can be watched on the ACC Digital Network.

After a 75-minute rain delay in the middle of the third quarter, the Hilltoppers scored two touchdowns off Veltkamp carries to get their first lead of the game with 5:16 left in the fourth quarter.  From there, the WKU defense forced two crucial turnovers to complete the comeback.

“Just very proud of our guys,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “Very unique game, had a weather delay, we were down.  Things aren’t going well, but somehow, someway, we found a way to win the game.  A lot of big plays out there tonight when we needed them the most, and just really proud of this football team.”

In his first start, Veltkamp threw for 242 yards and a touchdown to redshirt sophomore Kisean Johnson, but threw two interceptions.  He also made a difference on the ground with touchdown runs of 7-yards and 3-yards.

Johnson and sophomore wide receiver Easton Messer were the go-to guys.  Messer added 68 yards receiving on four catches to total 141 with Johnson.

With a third down conversion efficiency of 3-12 and 10 penalties costing WKU 104 yards, the Hilltoppers looked to their defense for help. 

Toledo only converted one fourth down on three attempts.  The Rockets were held to just three yards per carry, mustering 125 yards on 42 attempts.

Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason was picked off for the first time this season, throwing two interceptions, and was held to just 200 yards passing.

First Quarter

WKU won the toss, giving Veltkamp the ball for his first start as a Hilltopper. Driving down the field, a deep shot in double coverage intended for Dalvin Smith was intercepted by the Rockets. 

Toledo’s opening drive stalled inside the WKU 30-yard-line.  A Toledo 42-yard field goal attempt missed wide right, but a running-into-the-kicker penalty gave the Rockets another opportunity.  Toledo went for it on fourth down, but Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason was stopped short on the run. 

WKU went three-and-out on their second drive.  Two Gleason passes to Vandeross III and the Rockets were right back inside the WKU 30-yard-line

Second Quarter

Toledo’s second drive extended into the second quarter.  Gleason took a shot at the end zone, but it was intercepted by senior defensive back Devonte Matthews. However, fellow senior defensive back Anthony Johnson Jr. was called for defensive holding, setting the Rockets with first and goal at the WKU 2-yard-line.

Gleason kept it on the ground and scored from a yard out, giving the Rockets the game’s first points, 7-0. 

WKU’s following drive resulted in a three-and-out.

On the following drive, redshirt senior linebacker Chandler Matthews got to Gleason for the first sack of the game, but the sack was nullified by a facemask.  The WKU defense brought blitzes, forcing three straight Gleason incomplete passes, resulting in a punt.

Another three-and-out for WKU resulted in a 43-yard return to the WKU 43-yard-line.  The Rockets would then take the drive nine plays for 43 yards, ending with a 14-yard touchdown from Gleason to Anthony Torres, giving Toledo the 14-0 lead.

WKU’s next drive saw Veltkamp find the rhythm he had against MTSU.  He hit a 19-yard throw and then a 44-yard pass to Keisean Johnson for a touchdown, completing a two play, 63-yard drive that lasted 29 seconds, making it 14-7.

Third Quarter

Toledo opened the second half with the ball, and immediately gave it right back.  Gleason fumbled the snap which was recovered by junior linebacker Anthony Breckenridge.  WKU cashed the turnover into another Lucas Carneiro field goal from 39 yards, 14-10. 

Toledo’s next possession looked to be a three and out, but Gleason completed a 34-yard pass to keep the drive going.

The Rockets capped off a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a Gleason touchdown throw to Torres, his second of the game, making it 21-10 in favor of Toledo.

After an hour and 15 minute lightning delay, play resumed.  

WKU punted after five plays only to get the ball right back.  Redshirt senior Kylan Guidry strip-sacked Gleason and redshirt sophomore linebacker Darius Thomas recovered the fumble.

Veltkamp threw his second interception of the game two plays later, a pass intended for Easton Messer.

The teams would share punts from there.  After a WKU punt that was downed at the 2-yard line, redshirt senior linebacker Devon Lynch tackled Rockets runningback Connor Walendzak for a safety, making it 21-12.

Fourth Quarter

WKU opened the fourth quarter trading punts with Toledo.

With just under 11:20 left in the fourth, Veltkamp found Easton Messer for a 49-yard touchdown, but it was called back after redshirt sophomore wide receiver Moussa Berry committed an illegal block in the back penalty to nullify the touchdown.  

After Johnson grabbed his sixth catch of the night, Veltkamp scored a touchdown on a 7-yard quarterback keeper, cutting the lead to 21-19.

Toledo went three and out on their next drive.  

Veltkamp led WKU down the field on a 62-yard drive that included a crucial fourth down conversion pass to Elijah Young.  With 5:16 left in the fourth, Veltkamp punched it in for his second touchdown run of the game on a 3-yard score, giving WKU their first lead of the game, 26-21.

On the following drive, Toledo drove down the field, placing themselves inside the redzone after a 35-yard run by Gleason.  Toledo lost four yards on a run and then a huge sack by redshirt junior defensive back Kent Robinson on a blitz.  With 53 seconds left on fourth and 15, Gleason’s pass was intercepted by Devonte’ Matthews.

Just when WKU fans thought the game was over, Veltkamp ran up the middle on first down and fumbled the ball with 47 seconds left, giving Toledo the ball back at the WKU 15-yard line.  Video review found enough evidence to overturn the initial ruling that the play had stopped.  

With 32 seconds left, the Rockets had an opportunity to take the lead.  With 13 seconds left, Gleason’s pass was intercepted once again by Devonte’ Matthews, his second of the game.

WKU will look to win their fourth game in a row as they travel to Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 28. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.

 “I’m going to celebrate this one tonight, and we’ll worry about that one tomorrow,” Helton said. “Looking forward to that trip and that opportunity to play a really good team.”

Sports reporter Michael Givner Jr. can be reached at michael.givner586@topper.wku.edu.

Photos: WKU football wins 26-21 against the University of Toledo

“Tonight was a really good college soccer game,” Head Coach Jason Neidell said.  

WKU moved to 2-5-1 on the season and 0-4-1 versus LA Tech on the road all-time.  The team is 0-3-1 on the road this season.

LA Tech outshout WKU on total shots 14-13. The Hilltoppers had more shots on goal, leading that column 6-4.  Sophomore Georgia Lipis led the team with four shots and senior Kayla Meyer had three.

Senior goalkeeper Maddie Davis had four saves in the game and earned her second shutout of the season.

“Overall I’m really proud of our kids,” Neidell said. “This is a tough trip and glad to see us come down here and compete.”

WKU will play part two of their road stretch in Las Cruces, New Mexico to take on the New Mexico State Aggies on Thursday, Sept. 26th