The Liberty Flames (7-1, 4-2 CUSA) take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-3, 5-1 CUSA) in a critical Conference USA showdown on Saturday afternoon. The Flames and Hilltoppers are scheduled to meet at Williams Stadium with kickoff set for 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
WKU is coming off a tough loss at home to Louisiana Tech, 12-7. The Hilltoppers scored their only points of the game early in the 2nd quarter to take the lead, but it would be all the homestanding Hilltoppers could muster on offense. The Bulldogs won the game despite not scoring a touchdown as they connected on four field goals.
Western Kentucky had just 215 yards of offense on the afternoon. QB Caden Veltkamp completed 18 of 26 passes for 152 yards. It was the fewest points scored in a game this season since a season opening loss for WKU to Alabama, 63-0. It also marked the first time the Hilltoppers have been held to 7 points or fewer in a CUSA contest since a 10-6 loss at FAU on Nov. 7, 2020.
Despite the setback, Western Kentucky is still very much in the picture in the CUSA Championship race as they currently sit in a tie for second place with Sam Houston and games on the schedule against the Flames and conference leading Jacksonville State.
Prior to the loss to Louisiana Tech on Saturday, WKU had only lost to Power Five opponents in Alabama and a 21-20 loss to Boston College in late September. The Hilltoppers were perfect in conference play prior to the loss and also own a nice non-conference win over Toledo, 26-21, who is currently 7-3 on the season.
Tyson Helton is in his sixth season as the head coach of Western Kentucky. He has a 47-29 mark and 32-11 record in conference play at WKU. Helton and the Hilltoppers have won at least 8 games in four of his first five seasons and are just one win away from accomplishing that feat once again.
Veltkamp took over as WKU’s starting quarterback in Week 3 when TJ Finley went down to an injury in the first quarter. Veltkamp went on to throw for 398 yards and 5 touchdowns in the win over Middle Tennessee, 49-21, and he has remained the starter since then. Veltkamp has completed nearly 70% of his 239 passes for 2,102 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions on the season. He also has 166 rushing yards and 7 scores on the ground.
Veltkamp burst onto the scene in last year’s bowl game, leading Western Kentucky to a come from behind overtime win over Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl. He threw for 383 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception in the win.
He likes to spread the ball around with eight different players having at least eight receptions on the season and six with at least 14 catches. Kisean Johnson leads the way and is the favorite target with 50 receptions for 685 yards and 5 scores. Easton Messer has 36 catches for 505 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Elijah Young has rushed 143 times for 587 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the way for WKU on the ground.
On defense, WKU is holding opponents to 21 points per game. They allow 372.2 yards per game with 185 yards coming on the ground and 187 through the air.
Three Players to Watch For
QB #10 – Caden Veltkamp has completed 167 of 239 passes for 2,102 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He also has rushed for 166 yards and 7 scores.
WR #0 – Kisean Johnson has 50 receptions for 685 yards and 5 touchdowns, leading WKU in all three categories.
DL #0 – Hosea Wheeler leads the team wit h 55 tackles. He also has 5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks to go along with two blocked kicks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Upcoming Games/Recent Results
Oct. 30 – Western Kentucky 31, Kennesaw State 14
Nov. 09 – Western Kentucky 41, New Mexico State 28
Nov. 16 – Louisiana Tech 12, Western Kentucky 7
Nov. 30 – Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State
