Family Dinner Table: WKU Eats MTSU 49-21, Only Leaving the Scraps
FB: The McCay's break down the Toppers' incredible offensive performance, the defense's bend-but-don't-break approach, and the prospect of a Caden Veltkamp-led offense for the foreseeable future.
There’s really not much better than beating MTSU in any fashion in any sport. But when you absolutely embarrass them in the conference opener to the point that they have to be questioning if they’re even going to be remotely competitive this season, that’s just magnificent.
WKU did just that, routing the Blue Raiders in what really was no contest on the scoreboard from the very beginning. WKU led 28-0 before MTSU could muster a point, extending the defense’s consecutive scoreless quarters streak to six before MTSU finally broke through in the fourth quarter.
Of course, the stats bear a slightly different story, and David and Matt will get into that. However, at one point, the ESPN+ announcers (who are selected by the home team’s media department) made the comment that the game felt pretty even and you look down and it’s a WKU rout. In some ways, the Tops did give up some serious yardage, but their comments that this game was closer than the scoreboard indicated were ridiculous. MTSU was stopped twice in the red zone, but WKU was absolutely the superior team on the night.
In the other huge news of the week, WKU’s starting quarterback, TJ Finley, left the game unable to put weight on his foot and will be out “several weeks” according to WKU Head Coach Tyson Helton.
If you’re a sports fan, hopefully you have someone you can talk about your favorite team with. Well, for father-son duo David and Matt McCay, they are each other’s backboard to see if any of their ideas are of any account.
Heated battles may happen around the dinner table at your home, so in honor of those tense moments when you nearly roll into a fight about long snapper depth, we salute you with this series from the McCay’s. Hopefully they won’t roll into a public argument, but hey things happen.
Before and after each game, Matt and David will put their own spins on their thoughts on the matchup. In a preview article, they’ll talk about what they see, whatever that may be, whether it’s about the food at the stadium, fan experience, roster depth, or big picture football thoughts. One will go and then the other. In a postgame article, they will react with whatever vitriol or euphoria they feel at the time.
In honor of the Monday morning quarterbacks, the heated debates, the differing opinions, and the people screaming from the upper deck and their wives grabbing their arm telling them to shut up because you’re embarrassing them, this one’s for you.
“I brought you into this world, and I’ll take you out!” -David McCay
Well that did not go as planned. It went better. I really thought that MTSU would put up a better fight and the game would be closer. I did not foresee a WKU 49(56) - MTSU 21 outcome. Hope yes; foresee, no. MTSU had given up almost 1000 ards defensively in two games, so the possibility was there. I was unsure that WKU would be able to exploit MTSU’s weaknesses so effectively.
What does this mean? I really can not clearly answer this question. All I know is that Western Kentucky beat Middle Tennessee again. A picture is being painted of the WKU football season. Right now it is an abstract painting. Over the next few weeks against Toledo (3-0), who just bombed Mississippi State 41-17 and #24 Boston College (2-1), who lost to #6 Missouri 27-21, it will become a little clearer as more paint is added to the canvas.
Once again, let me say, I am so glad we have at least two very good quarterbacks. TJ Finley #2 started against Middle Tennessee and looked good for the first seven plays, marching WKU down the field deep into MTSU territory on the first WKU possession.
The Injury
On 2nd-and-10 at the MTSU 24, TJ Finley dropped back to pass and got pressure from all of the Middle defensive linemen. I have not found any pictures of this play. I have watched it three or four times stopping the video at points and taking snapshots on my phone. So I will try to describe what I see. It looks like TJ is scanning the field ahead of him and deep. Within seconds, all four defenders were pushing the offensive linemen into the backfield. James Stewart #49 is pressing from defensive right end and Andy Nwaoko #44 from the defensive left end. Needless to say, the pocket is collapsing around him. I see two options: run right quickly, pass left, or throw away near a receiver. By the way, everyone downfield is covered. One thousand one… one thousand two… Stewart grabs Finley from the left and a blink later Nwaoko hits TJ from the right and low. This combination hit bent TJ awkwardly and painfully backward on his right lower leg. My wife can attest, I immediately screamed, “OH CRAP Finley is hurt!”
After the 10 yard sack, Finley stood up, limped back to his spot behind the center, and called the next play. He was noticeably limping this entire time. Smelling blood in the water, MTSU’s defense attacked again. TJ Finley threw an outlet to Elijah Young #3 for a 22 yard gain and a first down at the 12 yard line of MTSU. I reviewed this play multiple times, too. As TJ steps to throw the football, his right leg is not in a normal position, and Finley went down to the ground after he made the pass. WKU coaches and trainers came onto the field and helped TJ to the sideline assessment area and then to the locker room. TJ’s day ended having 47 yards passing with three completions on five attempts. A good start, but after nine plays, his game was over.
We still do not know the extent of TJ Finley’s injury, and we may never know. Here is what I do know: This man has true heart and grit. When he returns to the hallowed Feix Field as starter, backup, or injured observer, he should receive a standing ovation. He is a true Hilltopper of character. Desiring to fight to the very end of every play and every drive for “Dear Old Western”.
Editor’s Note: Pardon the grainy photos and reflection, but after combing several publications, no one had a photo of the play in question. You can see how TJ’s lower leg sustained some damage.
Always Be Prepared
Did anyone else hear the ESPN announcers scrambling around in the background after TJ went down, trying to find information on the WKU backup quarterback? “The backup quarterback for WKU is…Caden Veltcamp #10, the hero and MVP of the 2023 Famous Toastery Bowl.” Hopefully, others besides the WKU and MTSU thousands watching the game from home on ESPN+, were watching as Caden came into the game and picked up where TJ Finley left off. As a matter of fact, Veltcamp was exceptional, and shocked the ESPN announcers. To me, this is a great story of a frustrated, more than able quarterback being told to wait his turn, but “Be prepared.”
I said exceptional and man was he ever that. So, unless you have been cramming for a study session or in a business meeting all weekend, you know how exceptional Veltcamp played in this game. Sophomore quarterback Caden Veltcamp came into the game and for a second time in his career, took hold of the offense like a veteran quarterback and moved WKU up and down the field for the rest of the game. Caden threw for 398 yards, five TDs, Zero interceptions, and added a rushing TD on a beautiful read option play. He did this on 27 completions out of 30 attempts. That is a 90 percent completion rate, finding open receiver after open receiver. Veltcamp’s game was a thing of beauty.
Now lest you think Caden had a perfect game, he did forget to throw the ball away after being flushed out of the pocket and ran out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage for his lone sack of the game. And if you think he won this game singlehandedly, this is a team sport, so put that out of your mind.
The Rest of the Winning Cast
WKU’s offense amassed 30 first downs and 631 yards total, including 150 yards rushing and 481 passing on less than 80 plays. To be understated, efficiency numbers were good too: seven-of-ten on third down, two-of-three on fourth down, and five-of-six in the red zone. The last play of the game ended inside MTSU’s 5. There were 21 plays of more than 10 yards, including a 72 yard Veltcamp pass to Hutchinson, a 31 yard run by LT Sanders, and multiple 30+ yard catches by receivers Kisean Johnson, Easton Messer, and Dalvin Smith.
The receiving corps was let by the aforementioned Johnson #0 with 129 yards on eight catches and two TDs. K.D. Hutchinson #18 had 83 yards and a TD on two catches. Easton Messer #8 with 73 yards on five catches. Eight other players caught passes in this game. Dalvin Smith has one catch for 37 yards, but was one of two passing for 36 yards and a TD as the same trick play was called twice, the second one connecting for the score.
The running backs were hard at work, too. Elijah Young #3 had 10 carries for 24 yards and five catches for 64 yards. LT Sanders led rushing with eight carries for 54 yards. It is running back by committee thus far this season, but the Tops have seen good overall success.
The defense was good again, bending but not breaking for most of the game. The three MTSU touchdowns and all the long plays were by the same player Omari Kelly #1 who had 9 catches for 239 yards. All the long plays seemed to be on blown coverages. The defense added three sacks and a TD saving interception. The yardage given up and the Alabama game will mislead teams and experts into thinking WKU has a weak defense. Let them think what they want.
I liked how this game was called offensively the whole game and defensively in the first half. Too many similar blitzes led to MTSU finding holes in the second half. Otherwise, I am beyond pleased.
Buckle up Hilltopper fans. If play continues like the last two weeks, this season will at least be an exciting ride. These next two games are no joke as WKU and city of Bowling Green host the 3-0 Toledo Rockets on Saturday. Time to fill the Houch! Then Western travels to Boston to play the FSU Seminole-smashing Boston College Eagles, a team that has been a bit of a surprise nationally thus far.
“You forced me into this world; I’ll force you out!” -Matt McCay
I have been excited all weekend, and it’s continuing into this week. The WKU offense finally looked like the WKU offense from two years ago. Last season, Austin Reed, unbeknownst to many, was hampered with nagging injuries, and really, so was the entire roster.
Two years ago, little known West Florida transfer QB Austin Reed beat out former Power Five starter Jarret Doege and averaged over 300 yards per game passing, finishing his shortish WKU career as an all-time great WKU quarterback statistically, earning a spot in camp to tryout with the Chicago Bears in the NFL.
WKU’s 49 point performance against hated rival MTSU on the back of backup Caden Veltkamp (sound familiar?) was one for the ages. Against WKU’s most hated conference rival, Veltkamp hit on 27-of-30 passes, threw five touchdowns, added a rushing touchdown, was sacked only once, and didn’t turn the ball over. This was truly a performance for the ages, and it had social media buzzing with the incredibly efficient performance from the Toppers’ backup gunslinger.
TJ Should have Gotten Rid of the Ball
Heat of the moment, right? I mean obviously that was a difficult pocket, but if you notice, TJ tried to move forward in the pocket, which you are taught to do in most scenarios. However, he had a split second to bail, and instead of in my opinion probably needing to peel away from the boundary towards the field side immediately, he climbed the pocket, stopped himself mid-hitch, lost all of his momentum, and got gobbled up.
This is not a shot at an injured man, but this happened a few times already this year where he put himself in harm’s way unnecessarily. Again, this was a very difficult pocket, and it’s really hard to know which way to go sometimes. But this is why you have scramble drills in practice. You have to know where your outlet is depending on which defenders on the defensive line have done what. You need to know how to bail, and you also need to know when to eat it and just take the sack. He bailed incorrectly, and unfortunately it cost him a rolled up lower leg. He had a running back to the boundary that was left alone, and he had a tight end running up the seam that could have been an option. If he immediately bailed, someone else may have come open as well.
The Firsts
Before TJ went out, the Topper offense was moving, and certainly when Veltkamp came in, the offense exploded quickly. This was the first time in quite some time that WKU’s offense looked this good, and it came against a team that has been kind of the early season darling CUSA pick to upset and find its way to a conference championship appearance.
WKU only scored in the 40s three times last season, getting more than 41 only once (Houston Christian). This was the first time WKU scored more than 41 against an FBS opponent since beating South Alabama 44-23 in the New Orleans Bowl in 2022. It was the first time over 45 against an FBS opponent since defeating Charlotte 59-7 in early November of 2022.
Defensively, the Toppers only had three games in 2023 where they held an opponent under 21 points. WKU had zero games where they held an opponent under 300 yards, and they already have one of those (EKU). The Tops also held EKU under 100 yards passing, something they didn’t do all of last season. Against MTSU, the Tops held the Blue Raiders to 58 yards rushing, something the Toppers only matched once in all of 2023. The trends are there defensively to feel positive.
On a negative note, the 2023 version of the WKU defense never gave up 400 yards passing, and the Tops gave up 456 to MTSU Saturday. That’s certainly a concern.
Don’t be Surprised…
Caden Veltkamp was amazing Saturday, but Topper fans should not be surprised if Caden does not have good games the next few weeks, partly because he will be playing good teams, but also, he’s never started as a college quarterback. He’s always been the backup. That’s a big change. How does he respond to that pressure?
What if he’s not that great? What if TJ Finley happens to be healthy after two poor performances by Caden Veltkamp? Even if Caden is good, what did TJ d too deserve to be benched? If you listen closely to the rhetoric from Tyson Helton on top of personally knowing how QB battles can work in high level football, it’s not a done deal that this is Caden Veltkamp’s job no matter what.
I imagine WKU fans will go absolutely bonkers about Veltkamp losing “his” job, but honestly, this would not be completely shocking to me. TJ Finley earned the job, and everyone needs to accept the possibility that as soon as TJ Finley is healthy, TJ Finley might start. Throw things at me and call me crazy, but Tyson Helton talked about hoping TJ could be back in a few weeks and that it was a shame and he hates it for him. You tell me. Does that sound like a coach completely committed to the hot hand no matter what? We’ll see, but I’m telling you, do not be shocked if what you view as ridiculous actually happens.
WKU’s Secondary Needs to Get Better
I am not in freakout mode about the WKU secondary, but WKU got torched against Alabama, and it wasn’t just athleticism that cost the Tops. WKU left EKU open in the first half some and their starter just completely missed on some wide open windows. Against MTSU, the Blue Raiders finally made the Topper secondary look silly. Yes, they only surrendered 21 points, but what if MTSU had scored instead of getting tackled short of the goal line in the first half? We might look at things a little differently. I doubt the outcome would have been different, but it certainly could have changed the score significantly.
On top of getting beaten fairly often, Western’s defense thus far has not created turnovers. The Tops have forced three turnovers in three games. In the short term, that’s not a disaster, but in the long term, if WKU’s defense can’t force turnovers and make big plays, they’re going to have to be much better on a consistent basis or they will drop some games they maybe shouldn’t.
Just watch out for improvement against Toledo. Toledo is capable, and the Tops have not showed a great ability to shut down the run or the pass yet. They have been ok and they have gotten the job done, but they have not proven themselves to be anything but fairly stubborn in the red zone.
WKU’s Receivers Are Deep and Good
WKU’s tight ends made a nice dent in this one with multiple touchdowns. Kisean Johnson is flirting with being a 100 yard per game receiver. Dalvin Smith and Easton Messer are known quantities. Michael Mathison, if he can stay healthy, could be a secret weapon that opposing defenses won’t know much about. Elijah Young and LT Sanders also contribute significantly out of the backfield, and other receivers are doing good work as role players. The Tops are in really good shape in this area.
Grading the Keys to Victory
TJ Finley Needs to be Tangibly Better than Nicholas Vattiato: N/A
Well, considering TJ Finley barely played, it’s hard to make this evaluation. However, if I may edit the concept in hindsight, I would say…
WKU’s QB Need to be Tangibly Better than Nicholas Vattiato: B+
This is still a tough grade, because Vattiato was good enough to win. However, the combination of TJ Finley and Caden Veltkamp was incredible. The two (and Turner Helton) combined for 481 yards passing compared to Vattiato’s 456. Vattiato produced, but his guys were not able to convert as much as WKU was able to. Veltkamp’s touchdowns put him over the top of Vattiato, but for a 90 percent completion percentage performance, MTSU’s guy held his own with WKU’s QB room.
Click the Offense Into Place: A++
I mean if there was ever extra credit to be passed out, this is the moment. WKU’s offense was nothing short of incredible once Caden Veltkamp took over. It was said above: WKU could have scored 60 points. They nearly had 56, but a technicality kept the Tops from that number. They also could have kicked a field goal to get to 52. Regardless, it was incredibly impressive, and WKU looked like the offense of the later games of 2022, or even the entire 2021 season with Bailey Zappe under center. The offense was amazing, including the running game, which produced 150 yards, as well. The running game has not been prolific in most of Tyson Helton’s seasons as head man. This running game could perhaps be WKU’s best.
Sack! Sack! Sack! Sack the Quarterback!: B
WKU was pretty good all night up front. They did not allow the MTSU running game to get going (yes, I understand that has nothing to do with sacks), and they also came up with three sacks and five total TFL. I’d still like to see more consistent pressure, because besides the times WKU got home, they did not have a single QB hurry, did not knock down Vattiato, nothing. Three sacks is nice, but WKU did not really blow up the line of scrimmage. I’d like to see a little more consistently rather than three sacks and not much else production-wise.
Win the Red Zone: A
This proved to be the biggest difference in the game. Not only did WKU get there, but they scored on all but one trip, and that was somewhat by choice (although the touchdown at the end of the game was called back). In addition, MTSU was terrible in the red zone, only scoring once and completely whiffing two other times. Imagine if Middle had converted the two other times into touchdowns. That then makes everything very close and much less comfortable for WKU.
Take the Points if They’re There: A+
WKU pretty much maximized everything they could. In the big moments, WKU separated itself. That was not necessarily a 28 point game. It was probably more like a two touchdown win, and the difference was made when WKU went a total of 9-of-13 on third and fourth down, while MTSU went a total of 4-of-11. In addition to the aforementioned red zone disparity, there’s your difference in the score. MTSU was able to move the ball, but they didn’t win very many important battles.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Believe
WKU finally showed us what they could be. Keep in mind that MTSU is not a complete slouch of a football team. They may have a few injuries, but they were getting picked as WKU’s equal in certain CUSA polls. WKU looked the superior team, and the Tops have an absolutely amazing follow-up opportunity to get fans excited and get people in the stadium this coming Saturday against MAC favorite and undefeated Toledo.
Plenty of “#PackTheHouch” mentions and calls litter Twitter early this week. Toledo is an excellent football team, and if WKU goes toe-to-toe (and hopefully wins) against Toledo, expect excellence once WKU gets in to CUSA play.
WKU has Toledo and Boston College the next two weeks, both of which are getting votes in the polls this week. Then the Tops get a break, and then they start what could possibly be the “soft” part of the CUSA schedule. UTEP, Sam Houston, Kennesaw State, NMSU, and La Tech all would seem to be winnable games (a few tougher than others). Then the Tops finish with Liberty, who has had some injuries issues and regression in general thus far, and Jacksonville State, who is currently a surprising 0-3 with the prospect of staring down the barrel of needing to play really good football to even go bowling.
Whether it’s thankfulness for the schedule being easier than it could have been, or whether it’s the fact that WKU showed an elite offense for the first time since 2022, it’s time for WKU fans to believe in the Tops this season, raise their expectations, and show up and Stand Up and Cheer for Dear Old Western!
It’s football time on The Hill, and the Tops have finally shown us they might be able to play some good ball this season. Make sure you start your new subscription with The Towel Rack and follow all of our articles!
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