WKU Football: Tops Win First Game in Helton Era at FIU, 20–14
Western Kentucky (1–1), as well as head coach Tyson Helton, pick up their first win this year on the road in Miami in a sloppy and somehow(?) exciting game against Florida International (0–2), 20–14.
Quarterback Steven Duncan struggled but still was able to throw 19 of 33 passes for 241 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions (one of them being a pick six). Backup Ty Storey did play but only one snap that was a designed run play. Gaej Walker had another strong night on the ground with 27 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown.
For some reason, I feel like every game WKU has against FIU is sloppy as all get-out and this game for the most part was as well. Most people expected a shootout but the score at halftime was only 14–7 with WKU keeping and maintaining that lead throughout the game.
FIU did struggle with some injuries which hindered them this game. Their starting quarterback James Morgan got hurt with a knee injury in the first half making backup Kaylan Wiggins play most of the game. He would finish 3 of 11 with only 41 yards passing but had 15 carries for 25 yards. Morgan would come in for FIU’s last possession in the 4th quarter but the pass he threw was dropped giving WKU the ball with under four minutes left where they would just run the clock out.
Some final takeaways to note:
- Duncan had his moments but overall looked inconsistent.
- WKU’s defense was still worrisome and had trouble stopping zone reads and jet sweeps that FIU ran almost the entire second half.
- Run game looked solid again and Walker had another 100 yard game.
- Kyle Fourtenbary is my player of the game. He had five catches for 74 yards.
- Punter John Haggerty is the bomb dot com. Made FIU start inside their own 20 yard line multiple times and averaged 44 yards a punt.
- Penalties were an issue. WKU gave up seven for 60 yards.
- Held FIU to 66 yards passing.
While there are still small things to nitpick, I’m gonna sit back and enjoy this win for a little bit. Coach Helton finally got his first career win and WKU is now 1–0 in the C-USA as well. After last week, most of us were expecting another loss but WKU was able to still squeeze out a gutsy road victory to finally get the UCA loss hopefully out of their minds as they now prepare for a big in-state showdown against Louisville in Nissan Stadium.
We will have more in depth coverage about this win and looking toward Louisville here in the near future but for now, it sure feels good to feel victory again.
Final stats below
