JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – WKU Football lost 37-34 to Jax State on Saturday at AmFirst Stadium to close the regular season.
The Gamecocks made a 28-yard field goal as time expired to decide the game. The Hilltoppers finish the regular season with an 8-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in Conference USA play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Jax State got on the board first, scoring on the game's opening possession with a 14-yard run to take a 7-0 lead.
- The Hilltoppers responded immediately, capping off a seven-play, 66-yard drive with a 1-yard keeper from quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. on the ensuing possession to tie the game, 7-7.
- WKU took advantage of a fumble forced by Jaylen Lewis that was recovered by Elin Jones during the next drive. The Hilltoppers got the ball at the Jax State 46-yard line, and finished off a four-play, 46-yard drive with a 1-yard scoring run from La'Vell Wright to take a 14-7 lead at the 6:15 mark of the first quarter. The score held until the second quarter.
- WKU extended the lead to 21-7 on the first play of the second quarter with a 13-yard rushing touchdown from K.D. Hutchinson. The play was the final in an 11-play, 65-yard drive.
- Jax State cut into WKU's lead with 9:33 left in the second quarter with a 27-yard field goal, making it a 21-10 Hilltopper lead.
- The Gamecocks again cut into WKU's lead, making it 21-17 with a 2-yard touchdown pass with 6:18 to play in the second quarter.
- Wright ran for his second touchdown – a 39-yard score – with 1:52 remaining in the second quarter to give the Hilltoppers some breathing room, 28-17.
- Jax State added a late touchdown on a 22-yard throw with 15 seconds remaining in the half, making it a 28-24 WKU lead at halftime.
- The Gamecocks retook the lead, 31-28, with a 70-yard rushing touchdown on the opening drive of the second half.
- WKU tied the game, 31-31, with 7:16 remaining in the third quarter with a 42-yard field goal from John Cannon.
- Jax State went ahead, 34-31, with a 27-yard field goal with 12:28 remaining.
- Jack Cassidy made a 41-yard field goal with 8:15 remaining to tie the game, 34-34.
- Jax State won the game, 37-34, on a 28-yard field goal as time expired.
NOTABLES
- WKU finishes the regular season 8-4 overall and 6-2 in Conference USA play with the loss.
- WKU falls to 5-4 all-time against Jax State.
- WKU's team captains for the game were wide receiver K.D. Hutchinson, linebacker Anthony Brackenridge and defensive back Jalen Emery.
- The announced attendance for the game was 16,733.
- WKU finished with 384 yards of offense in the game – 180 passing and 204 rushing.
- The game was WKU's second with over 200 yards rushing this season, with the other coming in the win over Middle Tennessee on Nov. 15.
- La'Vell Wright led the team on the ground with 116 yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts. Wright became the second Hilltopper to rush for over 100 yards in a single game this season, joining Marvis Parrish, who did so against Middle Tennessee. The 116 yards rushing are a season high for a WKU player.
- Wright's two first-half touchdowns were his 10th and 11th touchdowns overall this season and his ninth and 10th rushing touchdowns. Both marks are team highs. It was his fourth multi-touchdown game of the season.
- Rodney Tisdale Jr. finished with 180 yards on 17-24-1 passing. He completed passes to six different players, with five posting multiple receptions.
- K.D. Hutchinson led WKU with five receptions, while Moussa Barry led the team in receiving yards with 68.
- Hutchinson's second-quarter touchdown run was the fifth touchdown of the season for Hutchinson and the second rushing touchdown. It was his 11th career touchdown overall and his third career rushing touchdown.
- Fourteen different Hilltoppers recorded multiple tackles in the game, led by 13 from Jaylen Wester.
- WKU recorded six tackles for loss and two sacks. The sacks were from safety Jai Eugene Jr. and defensive tackle Robby Harrison. It was the first career sack for both players.
- John Cannon improved to 13-of-17 on field goals this season, including 9-10 on attempts between 40-49 yards.
- Jack Cassidy improved to 3-for-3 on field goals this season with his 41-yard make.
QUOTABLES
- "I thought the guys battled extremely hard. We knew it was going to be a tough game. We knew it was going to be back and forth. I knew our defense was going to have a big challenge ahead of them. Game went about how I thought it was going to go. I thought it was going to be somewhere up in the 30s and it was. Very proud of our football team. Obviously would've wanted to make it to the championship game, but that didn't happen, so now we've got to reset and find out eventually where we're going bowling and try to go win that one." – WKU Football head Coach Tyson Helton, on the loss at Jax State.
NEXT UP
- WKU awaits its destination and opponent for its 11th bowl game in the last 12 years.
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