BOWLING GREEN, Ky - WKU's 48-yard field goal to tie the game as blocked, and the Hilltoppers fell in their 2018 home opener to Maine, 31-28.
WKU jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first five minutes of the content, but Maine continued to compete and rallied back to go into the break down just 21-14. WKU senior quarterback Drew Eckels threw for a career-high 347 yards on 23-of-41 passing with three touchdowns including two to junior receiver Lucky Jackson.
Jackson finished the game with 115 yards on four receptions.
The two connected on the game's opening play for a 66-yard touchdown reception.
On Maine's opening drive, quarterback Chris Ferguson's pass was tipped and intercepted by sophomore safety Devon Key who raced 45 yards the other way for a score. A three-and-out by the visitors followed before Eckels again found Jackson for a 32-yard score on a scramble to put the host Hilltoppers up 21-0.
The Black Bears were able to tie the game up on a sack-fumble in the opening minutes of the third quarter as Sterling Sheffield forced it, and DeShaw Stevens recovered it for a 50-yard scoop and score. Maine built a 31-21 lead before Eckels connected with freshman back Garland LaFrance on another one-play scoring strike, this one from 75 yards away to make it 31-28.
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