CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Western Kentucky redshirt freshman quarterback Caden Veltkamp came off the bench and threw five touchdown passes, Lucas Carneiro kicked the game-winning 29-yard field goal in overtime, and the the Hilltoppers stormed back from a 28-point deficit to beat the Old Dominion Monarchs on Monday in the Famous Toastery Bowl.
It was something right out of a movie script for Veltkamp, who decided to enter the transfer portal earlier this year after being told by the coaching staff he'd be converted to tight end if he came back next season. Prior to Monday, the third string quarterback had thrown a total of six passes all season up until Monday.
Veltkamp finished the game completing 40 of 52 passes for 383 yards. He also led the team in rushing with 52 yards on 19 carries.
The Hilltoppers (8-5) started to mount their comeback in the third quarter when a crossing Dalvin Smith snagged a pass out of the air with one hand and took it 17 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 28-14 with 10:24.
Smith had nine receptions for 77 yards and three touchdown catches, two of those being one-handed grabs.
ODU answered with a 21-yard score by quarterback Grant Wilson on a scramble play to make it a 21-point game.
But that would be the last time the Monarchs would score again, as Veltkamp responded with a 37-yard strike to Elijah Young and a 14-yard pass to Smith in the back of the end zone to cut the lead to 35-28 with 9:42 remaining.
Old Dominion would drive to the WKU 30, with a chance to make it a two-possession game with a 47-yard field goal attempt by Ethan Sanchez. But WKU would block the kick, giving the Hilltoppers one last chance with 2:53 left.
Western Kentucky reached the Monarchs 5 in seven plays behind a 30-yard reception by Jimmy Holiday and a penalty on ODU bench for interfering with an official near the sideline.
The Monarchs (6-7) appeared that they would hold off the comeback when linebacker Wayne Matthews sacked Veltkamp on third down at the 15.
But Veltkamp wouldn't be denied, hitting K.D Hutchison near the front pylon of the end zone for a 15-yard score on fourth-and-goal with 19 second left to send the game into overtime.
Western Kentucky's defense would block another field-goal attempt, setting the stage for Carneiro nailed his.
Wilson ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another for Old Dominion (6-7). Kris Caine returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown and Kadarius Calloway added a rushing touchdown for the Monarchs.
Wilson ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another in the loss for ODU. Kris Caine returned an interception 30 yards for a score and Kadarius Calloway added a rushing touchdown for the Monarchs.
Comments