Western Kentucky

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WDRB) -- When it comes to 100 Miles of Hate, Western Kentucky can now boast about winning five straight.

The Hilltoppers continued their recent dominance in their rivalry with Middle Tennessee State, with the latest win being a 31-10 victory at home Thursday night after dropping back-to-back road games. That five-game winning streak against the Blue Raiders is the second-longest in the rivalry. The win also marks the second-straight season that WKU has won its Conference USA opener.

"Our guys were ready to play. They were excited to play," Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton said. "They had a great look in their eye. Their jaw was set tonight. They were ready to get after it."

"Getting back into conference play with our rival at home, it's always going to be a big game with them, no matter what," WKU linebacker Bryson Washington said. 

WKU's defense stepped up in multiple key moments, forcing MTSU to convert just five of its 16 third-down opportunities while also coming up with three turnovers. Washington, a Pleasure Ridge Park alumnus, made an one-handed catch for an interception and also recovered a fumble to account for two of the turnovers. Western Kentucky has now forced at least three turnovers in four games this season.

"That's what we're going to need if we're going to make a run," Helton said. "I tell our team all the time that defense leads the way. A lot of times, they talk about offense, our quarterback and our skill players. But really, we only go where our defense goes."

"It's really a shoutout to our defense," WKU quarterback Austin Reed said. "They played really, really well. On a night where we probably didn't have our best night, they did their jobs so that we were able to do enough to win the game."

WKU only scored eight points in the second half after a strong start. The Tops ran out to a big lead over the Blue Raiders, taking a 23-3 lead into halftime.

Reed threw touchdown passes to Davion Ervin-Poindexter and Christian Academy of Louisville alumnus Easton Messer before sneaking one in himself.

Messer, a sophomore wide receiver, now has three touchdowns on the season. The Louisville native is starting to make an impact for the Tops.

"He's just a really reliable kid," Reed said. "One thing I love about Easton is when his name's called, he doesn't blink. He really just handles his business like a man. He picks up that rifle when his number is called, goes out there and does his job.

"So, I'm really proud of the way he's handled his business and the way he's kind of conducted himself to where now, he's a reliable person. When I see him out there, I have full trust in him."

"As a true freshman coming in, especially with my size, I don't really pass the eye test," said Messer, who is listed at 5 foot, 9 inches tall and 195 pounds. "So, it's hard to get out there. But just the longer I was here, and the more consistent I was in showing the coaching staff that I can go out there and really, really play, I think that's really what it was.

"I've always been kind of just not looked down upon, but sort of doubted. So yeah, I definitely play with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder."

Western Kentucky is now 3-2 on the season and travels to Louisiana Tech next. 

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