Western Kentucky 44-17 UTEP (Oct. 10, 2024) Game Recap

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Caden Veltkamp threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score, Michael Mathison had two touchdown catches and a touchdown run and Western Kentucky celebrated a 44-17 victory over winless UTEP on Thursday night.

Western Kentucky (4-2, 2-0 Conference USA) took a 14-7 lead after one quarter on Veltkamp's 30-yard touchdown pass to Dalvin Smith and Mathison's 12-yard touchdown run. UTEP (0-6, 0-3) scored on Cade McConnell's 76-yard strike to Kenny Odom 38 seconds after the Hilltoppers took a 7-0 lead.

Two field goals from Lucas Carneiro and a 2-yard touchdown run from Veltkamp grew Western Kentucky's lead to 27-7 at halftime.

Corey Wren opened the second half with a 100-yard kickoff return score and Buzz Flabiano followed with a 42-yard field goal to put the Miners up 27-17 with 5:29 left in the third quarter. Veltkamp answered with a 14-yard scoring throw to Mathison, two plays after connecting with Easton Messer for a 57-yard gain and a 17-point lead.

Veltkamp passed to Mathison for a 3-yard score and Carneiro kicked a 54-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to complete the rout.

Veltkamp completed 18 of 27 passes for 264 yards with one interception for the Hilltoppers. Messer totaled 106 yards on six receptions.

Ezell Jolly carried 27 balls for 119 yards for UTEP.

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