NCAAF

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Sam Houston Bearkats

· NCAA - Football
Final
31 - 14
5-2, 2-1 Home

Caden Veltkamp's 4 total TDs lead Western Kentucky past Sam Houston 31-14

K.D. Hutchinson races for 74-yard Western Kentucky TD

Western Kentucky (5-2, 3-0 Conference USA) has started 3-0 in conference play for the first time since 2019 during Tyson Helton’s first season as head coach.

Leading 17-14 early in the fourth quarter, WKU DL Hosea Wheeler blocked a 32-yard field-goal attempt. Three plays later, K.D. Hutchinson caught a short pass over the middle and outran three defenders into the end zone from 74-yards out for a 24-14 lead.

Sam Houston fumbled a handoff on its next possession, recovered by Zach Edwards at the Bearkats’ 24-yard line. Western Kentucky took advantage of the short field when Veltkamp scored on a 19-yard keeper.

Upton Stout sealed it for WKU when he intercepted a tipped pass with 2:18 left and returned it 24 yards.

Sam Houston’s first four drives of the second half ended in two missed field goals, a punt and a fumble.

Elijah Young added 97 yards rushing for Western Kentucky.

Sam Houston switched to Central Michigan transfer QB Jase Bauer to start the third quarter. Starter Hunter Watson, who was 6 of 9 for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, was ruled out for the second half with an undisclosed injury.

Bauer finished 12 of 22 for 106 yards and an interception for Sam Houston (5-2, 2-1).

How To Watch

How can I watch Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Sam Houston Bearkats?
  • TV Channel: Hilltoppers at Bearkats 2021 College Football, week 8, is broadcasted on ESPN2.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Matchup Prediction

Bearkats: 62.4%
Hilltoppers: 37.6%
*According to ESPN's Basketball Power Index

Scoring Summary

WKU TD 1st Period 12:20 River Helms 17 Yd pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carneiro Kick)
SHSU TD 2nd Period 14:50 Simeon Evans 37 Yd pass from Hunter Watson (Christian Pavon Kick)
WKU FG 2nd Period 10:41 Lucas Carneiro 51 Yd Field Goal
SHSU TD 2nd Period 8:46 Michael Phoenix II 50 Yd pass from Hunter Watson (Christian Pavon Kick)
WKU TD 2nd Period 2:59 Elijah Young 11 Yd pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carneiro Kick)
WKU TD 4th Period 11:45 K.D. Hutchinson 74 Yd pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carneiro Kick)
WKU TD 4th Period 9:31 Caden Veltkamp 19 Yd Run (Lucas Carneiro Kick)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/98.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originWKU https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2534.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originSHSU
23 1st Downs 22
11-18 3rd down efficiency 6-15
0-0 4th down efficiency 1-2
411 Total Yards 400
281 Passing 235
20/30 Comp/Att 19/32
9.4 Yards per pass 7.3
130 Rushing 165
41 Rushing Attempts 38
3.2 Yards per rush 4.3
4-35 Penalties 5-55
1 Turnovers 2
1 Fumbles lost 1
0 Interceptions thrown 1
29:45 Possession 30:15

Game Information

Venue: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium

Location: Huntsville, TX
Attendance: 8,914 · Capacity:
Full Standings

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