Western Kentucky Defeat Army For Third Straight Win

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers improved to 4-2 overall on Saturday with a home win against the Army Black Knights.

The WKU defense continues to be the story with of the early part of the Tops’ season after they held Army to 208 total yards and just 10 first downs. Kyle Bailey, Antwon Kincade, and DeAngelo Malone led the defense in tackles with seven each.

The only score of the first half came when WKU running back Gaej Walker ran the ball down to Army’s two yard line, which set up a QB sneak for a score by Ty Storey.

WKU would also miss a 46-yard field goal on their last drive of the first half.

The Tops would open the second half with a 22-yard field goal by Cory Munson. That would prove to be the only score of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter would begin with a missed field goal by Army from 24 yards out. WKU answered on the following drive going 80 yards in 17 plays capped off by another keeper run by Storey.

Army would finally get on the board in their next possession with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. QB Kelvin Hopkins Jr. would find receiver Malik Hancock from eight yards out with 1:41 left to play. WKU would recover the ensuing onside kick to seal the game.

Adding to the Tops’ list of impressive defensive feats this season, they were less than two minutes shy of shutting out Army, which hasn’t happened to the Black Knights since 2014. WKU also held Army’s leading rusher Connor Slomka to just 28 yards on the ground, his lowest total of the season.

In addition to still being on top of C-USA East, Tyson Helton’s team is now just two wins away from bowl eligibility. Army, meanwhile, have now lost two straight games, which they have not done since 2017.

The Tops are back at home next week (10/19) to host the Charlotte 49ers. Army will head south to face Georgia State that same day.