Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders @ Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MTSU | 10 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
WKU | 7 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 29 |
Middle Tennessee topples Western Kentucky on late kick return TD
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Reggie Whatley's 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter lifted Middle Tennessee to a 34-29 win over Western Kentucky on Thursday night.
With the win, the Blue Raiders (6-3, 4-1 Sun Belt) are now in sole possession of second place in the Sun Belt, trailing first-place Louisiana-Monroe (6-2, 4-0).
Whatley's kick return came with 6:03 left just after Western Kentucky had tied the game at 27 with a field goal.
The Hilltoppers (6-3, 3-2) drove toward the end zone in the closing stages, but the Blue Raiders' Kenneth Gilstrap picked off a Kawaun Jakes pass deep in MTSU territory with two minutes left to seal the win.
Western Kentucky got a safety as time expired.
Freshman Jordan Parker rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown for the Blue Raiders, who became bowl eligible for the first time since 2010.
Game Information
Bowling Green, KY
2025 Standings
| Conference USA | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Kennesaw State | 7-1 | 10-4 |
| Jacksonville State | 7-1 | 9-5 |
| Western Kentucky | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Louisiana Tech | 5-3 | 8-5 |
| Missouri State | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Florida International | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Delaware | 4-4 | 7-6 |
| Liberty | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Middle Tennessee | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| New Mexico State | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| UTEP | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| Sam Houston | 1-7 | 2-10 |
NCAAF News
Oklahoma AG calls on Big 12 to suspend Texas Tech QB Sorsby
9h
Gregory, 4-star WR and No. 37 overall recruit in '27, chooses UCLA
10h
McAfee, WVU's Rodriguez agree football team will win games
11h
