BOCA RATON, Fla. – WKU Football leaves Florida after a 10-6 loss to Conference USA East Division opponent Florida Atlantic. While the Hilltopper defense made key stops throughout the game, WKU came up short as time wound down on the clock.
Opening the game, the WKU defensive team came out strong and forced Florida Atlantic to punt after just four plays on its very first drive.
WKU went on to make a 17-play, 57-yard drive down the field in its first possession. Penalties kept the Hilltoppers outside the endzone and the drive resulted in a missed 50-yard field goal amongst strong tropical storm winds.
The two squads went on to exchange multiple drives, heading into halftime scoreless on both sides. WKU held the Owl offense to multiple 3-and-out situations.
After Florida Atlantic's opening second-half drive, the Owls made a 40-yard field goal at the 8:51 mark in the third quarter.
On the Hilltoppers' following drive, WKU responded with a field goal of its own as Brayden Narveson kicked a 32-yarder through the uprights. At the end of the third quarter, the score was tied up at 3-3.
After each team started the fourth quarter with one drive, both resulting in a punt, a quarterback hurry by DeAngelo Malone caused a high throw by the FAU quarterback to be picked off by linebacker Kyle Bailey. Bailey returned the interception for 24 yards to put WKU in field goal position.
Narveson posted a 49-yard field goal into the wind to give the Hilltoppers their first lead of the game at 6-3 with 8:09 remaining.
Florida Atlantic responded with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, flipping the score to 10-6, advantage Owls. WKU was unable to convert on third and fourth downs, and FAU ran out the clock to end the game.
The Hilltopper defense was led by Devon Key with 12 tackles, including five solo takedowns, and Malone with 11 tackles, two sacks and three QB hurries. Jeremy Darvin and Bailey also registered major sacks for WKU.
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