WKU Football: Tops Fall to Georgia State in the Autonation Cure Bowl, 27–17
Western Kentucky began the game electing to receive the opening kickoff. The Hilltoppers opening drive got stalled early, forcing a quick 3-and-out. Georgia State then drove down the field, finally getting slowed down near the redzone due to penalties and WKU’s defensive line. The Panthers settled with a 42-yard field goal, 3–0 Panthers.
The next Western Kentucky drive was quick. A two play drive finished with Mike White throwing a 54-yard BOMB to his favorite target, TE Deon Yelder, to give the Hilltoppers the lead, 7–3. The Panthers responded rapidly, on a three play, 85 yard drive that was capped off with a Demarcus Kirk 26 yard TD run. Georgia State regained the lead 10–7.
The next drive had Western Kentucky faced with a 4th and one at the 50 yard line. Running back, D’Andre Ferby pushed through the line reaching the ball out to barely get the first down. Following a 2 yard rush and a long ball that fell short, Mike White got sacked causing a punt.
Georgia State Quarteraback Conner Manning fumbled from a Masai Whyte hit, and WKU CB, Joe Brown landed on it! The Hilltoppers take over with 54 seconds left in the first quarter at the 26 yard line. The short Hilltopper drive ended with a Ryan Nuss 39-yard field goal, tieing the game at 10 with 14 minutes left in the second quarter.
The following Georgia State drive finished with a Georgia State field goal from 37 yards out. 13–10 Panthers with 9 minutes left in the second quarter.Georgia State ends the Hilltoppers drive early. The Tops go 3-and-out. The Panthers drive ends at the 50. The Georgia State punter pinned the Hilltoppers at the 4 yard line.
The Tops responded, driving to the 50 yard line until Mike White fumbled. Georgia State picked up the fumble and opened their next drive at the Western Kentucky 36 yard line.
The Hilltoppers forced Georgia State to kick a 54-yard field goal. The Panthers kicker missed far right.
Halftime: 13–10 Georgia State Panthers
Georgia State started with the ball. The Panthers had a long drive ending on the Western Kentucky 21 yard line due to a 4th down stop by the Tops! 9:45 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Georgia State began their drive at their own 20-yard line. The Panthers score off a 42-yard trick-play pass increasing their lead, 20–10.
Western Kentucky’s drive ends in frustrating fashion forcing the Toppers to punt out of their endzone. After many 3-and-outs, the Panthers had success. The Panthers punch it in from one yard out to make their lead 27–10.
The Hilltoppers found themselves down 17 with 5:50 left in the game. The Tops score through a Deon Yelder redzone touchdown. 27–17 Panthers. The Hilltoppers fail on the onside kick following the touchdown but hold the Panthers forcing them to punt. Mike White took over the game with 1:31 left in the game on the Hilltopper 11 yard line. After three consecutive successful throws for Mike White, the next pass is caught by the Panthers, becoming the last play for Mike White in a Western Kentucky jersey.
The Hilltoppers lose to Georgia State 27–17 and the Tops will finish the 2017 season 6–7; their first losing season since 2010. It was a game with many mistakes for the Tops and some play calling that left us scratching our heads but that is how the 2017 football season will sadly end.
Here are your final stats:
