BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football lost to New Mexico State 38-29 on Saturday in a homecoming game at Houchens-Smith Stadium.
The Hilltoppers fall to 5-5 overall and 3-3 in Conference USA play with the loss.
"Tough loss. Hat's off to New Mexico State. They played extremely well," WKU Football Head Coach Tyson Helton said. "Well-coached football team. They did everything right that they needed to do. They controlled the ball. They were able to run the ball. I thought they played pretty good defense when they needed to play good defense. Good football team.
"We've got two more games. We're going to be fighting to get bowl eligible in this next home game. We've got a lot to play for. We've got to get our jaw set and just keep battling. We've got good things ahead of us if we just keep battling."
WKU falls out of contention for the CUSA Championship game with the loss, but can still become bowl eligible with a win in either of the next two games against Sam Houston State or at FIU.
The Hilltoppers got off to a hot start Saturday, scoring on their first two drives against the visiting Aggies (8-3, 6-1).
Elijah Young took a pass from Austin Reed for a 72-yard score just over a minute into the game for an early 7-0 lead, and the Hilltoppers again found the end zone on a 13-yard rush from Reed to cap off a 10-play, 73-yard drive to make it 14-0 with 7:27 to play in the first quarter.
New Mexico State got on the board with a 40-yard field goal to make it 14-3 by the end of the first quarter, and took the lead by the 6:19 mark of the second quarter with a 10-yard touchdown run and a 4-yard touchdown pass.
The Hilltoppers went into halftime ahead 21-17, however, after Reed found Craig Burt Jr. for a 4-yard touchdown with 6 seconds remaining before the break.
New Mexico State scored three touchdowns – a 7-yard pass, a 7-yard rush, and a 57-yard interception return – in the second half to make it 38-21.
WKU scored its only touchdown of the second half on a 15-yard pass from Reed to Malachi Corley with 1:30 to play, making the score 38-29. The touchdown reception was the 27th of Corley's WKU career, moving him into sole possession of second place on the program's career touchdown receptions list.
WKU finished with 437 yards of offense in the loss. Reed threw for 270 yards and three touchdowns on 20-36-1 passing, with Corley and Elijah Young his top targets. Corley had 78 yards and a score on six catches, while Young had 84 yards and a touchdown on three receptions, plus a team-high 80 yards on 14 rushing attempts.
The Hilltoppers remain home for their next game – a Saturday, Nov. 18 game against Sam Houston State. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT.
For all the latest on WKU Football, follow @WKUFootball on Twitter and Instagram, and like the WKU Football Facebook page.
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