Games of 2011: MTSU versus WKU

Western Kentucky 36, Middle Tennessee 33 (2OT)--The motivation of a bitter rivalry and a couple of overtimes is what it took to get WKU's first win of the 2011 season.

MTSU took the early lead with a 2-yard run by quarterback Logan Kilgore taking a 7-0 lead with 7:37 left in the first quarter. Undeterred, the Hilltoppers went 60 yards on 11 played topped by a 1-yard rushing touchdown from bruising fullback Kadeem Jones.

That 7-7 score went all the way into halftime with WKU missing their 2nd field goal attempt of the game with less than a minute left in the first half.

The Blue Raiders took their second possession of the third quarter 75 yards on 4 plays capped by a 25-yard touchdown run by DD Kyles. The Hilltopper special teams made their first big play of the game and blocked the ensuing extra point attempt giving MTSU a 13-7 lead with 10:17 left in the 3rd.

After WKU forced a fumble with the Blue Raiders driving, the Hilltoppers gave the ball back at the MTSU 2-yard line. Sophomore linebacker Andrew Jackson then came up with an enormous play tackling the ball carrier in the end zone for a safety cutting the lead to 13-9 with 5:40 left in the third quarter.

The Hilltoppers again pinned MTSU inside their own 10-yard line and got the ball at the MTSU 37- yard line. Star running back Bobby Rainey took the ball in from 10-yards out with :35 left in the third quarter giving WKU a 16-13 lead heading into the 4th.

The Blue Raiders bounced back with a 22 yard field goal tying the game momentarily. The following kickoff was returned 90-yards by freshman John Evans for a touchdown behind the devastating Tyree Robinson giving the lead back to WKU at 23-16.

With less than 5 minutes left, MTSU again tied the game up with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Kilgore to Sancho McDonald. Neither team could score again sending the game to overtime.

In the first overtime, both teams traded touchdowns with yet another touchdown pass from Kilgore finishing the first overtime.

WKU played defense first in the second overtime and came up with a big stop limiting MTSU to a 23-yard field goal giving MTSU a 33-30 lead with WKU needing at least a field goal to extend the game. That field goal was not needed as quarterback Kawaun Jakes found Rainey for a 7-yard pass that ended with Rainey in the end zone and the Hilltoppers celebrating a hard fought win.