Western Kentucky Ride Furious Comeback To Bowl Win In Charlotte

The Hilltoppers beat Old Dominion in Monday's Famous Toastery Bowl

© Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

When the Bahamas Bowl had to be moved due to stadium renovations at the usual venue, the game was moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in the form of the Famous Toastery Bowl. What resulted was one of the most exciting contests yet this postseason.

Despite being down 28-0 in the first half, the Hilltoppers managed to battle back against the Old Dominion Monarchs, tying the game at 35-35 with 19 seconds remaining. They did so without star starting quarterback Austin Reed and, in the second half, without star receiver Malachi Corley.

WKU kept ODU out of the endzone from inside the one-yard line, then blocked ODU's field goal attempt. On their own OT possession, kicker Lucas Carneiro made a 29-yard attempts to seal the 38-35 victory. 

It was officially the fourth-largest comeback ever in an FBS bowl game.

Here's how things went down in the Queen City. 

A Rough First Half For WKU

Things went south, and did so quickly, for WKU in the first half. Turner Helton started the game at quarterback, but was quickly pulled after a series of mistakes. Helton finished 3/4 for 15 yards and an interception and losing a fumble.

The Tops had four total turnovers in the first half, putting them in the aforementioned hole, before things turned around in the second half.

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Caden Veltkamp's Big Day

WKU redshirt freshman QB Caden Veltkamp is a native of Bowling Green, Kentucky and a product of nearby South Warren High School. He's also the son of the Tops' strength coach Jason Veltkamp.

Veltkamp replaced Turner Helton in the first quarter and didn't look back. Veltkamp finished the day with 40 completions on 52 attempts for 383 yards with five touchdowns and an interception. Veltkamp was named the game's offensive MVP.

Receiver Dalvin Smith's performance is also worth noting. The junior had nine catches for 77 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

Here's some added intrigue: Veltkamp's name is currently in the transfer portal, but Tyson Helton allowed him to play in the game. Was the magical night enough for Veltkamp to decide to come back to his hometown team?

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Kicking Miscues for Old Dominion

For Old Dominion, while Grant Wilson and company made some spectacular plays along the way, some critical miscues set up their loss. Namely, on special teams. ODU kicker missed one field goal attempt and had two others blocked, including one that would have forced WKU to score a touchdown in overtime. 

ODU are still looking for their first postseason win under Ricky Rahne and their first since 2016. Meanwhile, WKU are celebrating their third bowl win in a row and their fourth total under Helton.