Western Kentucky vs CharlotteOct 15, 2017 by Kolby Paxton
Western Kentucky Rolls Over Charlotte On Homecoming
Western Kentucky Rolls Over Charlotte On Homecoming
Western Kentucky defeated Charlotte, 45-14.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- The hypothetical dam that's been holding back a Western Kentucky offensive explosion to the likes of which we've become accustom finally broke.
The Hilltoppers (4-2, 2-1) soared on Saturday, moving the ball through the air at will -- and complimenting the passing game with a satisfactory ground game this time around -- en route to a 48-14 demolition of winless Charlotte.
Western was dominant from the outset, marching 78 yards in 17 plays over the first six minutes of the game to take an early 7-0 lead, courtesy of an eight-yard touchdown pass from Mike White to Deon Yelder.
Charlotte answered with an outstanding drive of its own -- this one, a 10-play, 80-yard drive that took 5:11 and was capped by a nine-yard Aaron McCallister touchdown run.
Kylen Towner, whose increased involvement was alluded to by head coach Mike Sanford earlier in the week, made his presence felt on the ensuing possession, taking a White pass 59 yards to the house to hand the lead back to the hosts. On the Toppers' next possession, White tied the bow on a 10-play, 69-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, and WKU led 21-7.
Charlotte's answer took less than a minute. After a gain of four yards on first down, McCallister broke loose for an 89-yard touchdown run to pull the Niners back within a score, 21-14. Unfortunately for Charlotte, the promising start -- and, particularly, the success of McCallister, playing in relief of the injured and unavailable Benny LeMay -- was short-lived.
White found Mik'Quan Deane and Nacarius Fant with touchdown tosses of 20 yards and 13 yards, respectively, and Ryan Nuss added a 43-yard field goal -- all during a 17-0 run before the break. After a scoreless third quarter, Jacquez Sloan took Mike White's fifth touchdown pass of the game 39 yards to paydirt to set what would be the final margin at 45-14.
White finished 33-of-47 for 398 yards and five touchdowns. Towner enjoyed a breakout performance, hauling in six passes for 111 yards and a score.
McCallister rushed 22 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns against the top-ranked run defense in Conference USA -- though nearly all of the damage occurred during the first half.
The Hilltoppers (4-2, 2-1) soared on Saturday, moving the ball through the air at will -- and complimenting the passing game with a satisfactory ground game this time around -- en route to a 48-14 demolition of winless Charlotte.
Western was dominant from the outset, marching 78 yards in 17 plays over the first six minutes of the game to take an early 7-0 lead, courtesy of an eight-yard touchdown pass from Mike White to Deon Yelder.
Charlotte answered with an outstanding drive of its own -- this one, a 10-play, 80-yard drive that took 5:11 and was capped by a nine-yard Aaron McCallister touchdown run.
Kylen Towner, whose increased involvement was alluded to by head coach Mike Sanford earlier in the week, made his presence felt on the ensuing possession, taking a White pass 59 yards to the house to hand the lead back to the hosts. On the Toppers' next possession, White tied the bow on a 10-play, 69-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, and WKU led 21-7.
Charlotte's answer took less than a minute. After a gain of four yards on first down, McCallister broke loose for an 89-yard touchdown run to pull the Niners back within a score, 21-14. Unfortunately for Charlotte, the promising start -- and, particularly, the success of McCallister, playing in relief of the injured and unavailable Benny LeMay -- was short-lived.
White found Mik'Quan Deane and Nacarius Fant with touchdown tosses of 20 yards and 13 yards, respectively, and Ryan Nuss added a 43-yard field goal -- all during a 17-0 run before the break. After a scoreless third quarter, Jacquez Sloan took Mike White's fifth touchdown pass of the game 39 yards to paydirt to set what would be the final margin at 45-14.
White finished 33-of-47 for 398 yards and five touchdowns. Towner enjoyed a breakout performance, hauling in six passes for 111 yards and a score.
McCallister rushed 22 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns against the top-ranked run defense in Conference USA -- though nearly all of the damage occurred during the first half.