HOUSTON, Texas — The streaking WKU Football team continued its incredible momentum on Saturday afternoon, as the Hilltoppers defeated Rice by a score of 42-21.
With the team’s fifth consecutive win, WKU improved to 6-4 on the season to reach bowl eligibility for the 10th time in the past 11 seasons. In the process, the Hilltoppers pushed their Conference USA record to 5-1, and with Marshall’s loss to UAB, now stand alone in first place in the league’s East Division.
In his return to Texas, Victoria native Bailey Zappe completed 34-of-42 passes for 482 yards – the 11th-highest total in WKU program history – with five touchdowns and only one interception. The graduate transfer quarterback from Houston Baptist upped his season totals to 4,170 yards on a 70.8% completion rate, with 42 touchdowns compared to only seven picks.
Wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley had a hallmark performance, with 10 catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns – all career-highs – which included a career-long 65-yard score in the second quarter. The 198 receiving yards were the third-highest total in WKU program history, behind only Joey Stockton’s 276 at Austin Peay in 1995 and Jerreth Sterns’ 221 at Old Dominion earlier this season.
True freshman running back Kye Robichaux scored the first two touchdowns of his collegiate career – one rushing and one receiving – in the first half and finished with 100 all-purpose yards – 61 rushing and 39 receiving. Wide receiver Dalvin Smith and tight end Joey Beljan added the other two receiving scores from the arm of Zappe.
The defense continued its stellar play, forcing five turnovers – including four interceptions – and holding the Owls scoreless for the first 41 minutes of the game as the Hilltoppers held a 28-0 lead late into the third quarter. WKU also recorded three sacks, two additional tackles for loss, six pass breakups and forced two other fumbles that they didn’t recover.
During the Hilltoppers’ five-game win streak, the defense has held opponents to an average of 18.8 points, without allowing any to cross the 21-point threshold. WKU has 13 interceptions in that span – including 10 in the past two contests – as well as 19 sacks and 14 additional tackles for loss.
Defensive back Omari Alexander had two interceptions, while Dominique Bradshaw and Kahlef Hailassie grabbed one apiece. It was Bradshaw’s first career pick, while Hailassie had his second in as many games. Defensive back Beanie Bishop followed his two-interception performance with a key forced fumble in the first quarter, which was recovered by safety Antwon Kincade.
Linebackers Jaden Hunter and Will Ignont each had one sacks, as did defensive tackle Darius Shipp. Ignont and defensive end DeAngelo Malone tied for the team lead with six tackles, while the Texas native Bradshaw had a team-high two pass breakups to go along with his interception.
The Hilltoppers (6-4 overall and 5-1 in CUSA) return to Houchens-Smith Stadium for their final home contest of the season against Florida Atlantic on Saturday, November 20. WKU and the Owls will kick off at 11 a.m. with the game being broadcasted on Stadium. FAU lost at Old Dominion on Saturday evening, dropping the team’s record to 5-5 overall and 3-3 in C-USA play.
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