Smith catches 20th career TD pass at WKU

LYNCHBURG, Va. – WKU Football lost to Liberty 38-21 on Saturday at Williams Stadium. The Hilltoppers fall to 7-4 overall and 5-2 in Conference USA play with the loss.

Dalvin Smith, a former Glasgow Scottie, opened the scoring for WKU after a scoreless first quarter. He caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Caden Veltkamp with 13:17 showing on the second quarter clock. The touchdown catch was Smith’s 20th of his career, which puts him in sole possession of seventh place on WKU’s record list for career touchdown receptions.

Liberty scored three unanswered touchdowns to end the first half, starting with a 2-yard run with 9:30 to play in the second quarter to make it 7-7. The Flames added a 22-yard run with 2:05 to play in the first half to take their first lead of the game, 14-7. Liberty scored with 10 seconds to play in the second quarter on an 11-yard pass to go ahead 21-7 at the break.

WKU cut into the deficit on the first possession of the second half, scoring on a 2-yard run from George Hart III to make it 21-14. The touchdown was set up by a 32-yard pass to Kisean Johnson and an 18-yard pass to Easton Messer.

Liberty extended its lead to 28-14 with 9:44 to play in the third with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Veltkamp connected with Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown with 3:44 remaining in the third to make it a one-score game, 28-21.

Liberty locked down the win by scoring the final 10 points of the game in the fourth quarter.

The Hilltoppers will close out the regular season at home and celebrate senior day against Jax State on Saturday, Nov. 30. Kickoff at Houchens-Smith Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and the game will be nationally televised on ESPNU. With Saturday’s results, WKU will need a win over the Gamecocks and a Sam Houston win over Liberty next week to earn a berth in the CUSA Championship game.