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Western Kentucky beats Louisiana Tech in another shootout to become Conference USA Champions

Defenses do not intimidate Jeff Brohm and his Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Pouring 58 points on Louisiana Tech’s defense, Western Kentucky revenged its October loss to the Bulldogs to take home the Conference USA Championship for a second consecutive year by a final score of 58-44.

The Conference USA Championship lived up to its billing as a battle of offensive fireworks. The game broke the conference championship record for total points scored and racked up 1,170 yards of total offense between the two teams. The 102 points scored broke the record for most points scored in a championship game all time in the FBS.

After trading field goals to start the game, Western Kentucky’s senior running back Anthony Wales scored the first touchdown of the day on a 15 yard scamper. That touchdown would not be his last. Wales ended his monster day with 5 touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 receiving) and ran for 194 yards on 35 carries.

In a rare defensive highlight Western Kentucky quarterback Mike White threw a pick-six midway through the first quarter. But, his play settled down as he threw for 436 yards and 4 touchdowns with one interception in the game.

Louisiana Tech’s offense joined the first half scoring with two Ryan Higgins passing scores to Carlos Henderson and Jarred Craft, leading to a half time lead by Western Kentucky of 38-27.

To start the scoring in the second half, Louisiana Tech turned an improbable third and 20 into a 54-yard bomb from Ryan Higgins to Kam McKnight, doing his best Tom Hanks “Castaway” impression beside the end zone.

In what might be Jeff Brohm's final game as the head coach of Western Kentucky,
In what might be Jeff Brohm’s final game as Western Kentucky’s head coach, the Hilltoppers won the Conference USA Championship over Louisiana Tech. (Getty)

Western Kentucky fumbled the ensuing kickoff return, and minutes later, McKnight scored again, lined up as a tailback on a fourth and goal from one.

That McKnight score was the only time Louisiana Tech led in the game. The Hilltoppers would add two more field goals and two touchdowns from Wales, the second one sealing the game with 58 seconds left.

Although Louisiana Tech and Western Kentucky amassed tons of yardage and first downs in the game, third down conversions were the telling story. The Bulldogs only converted five of their 14 opportunities, whereas the Hilltoppers made six of their 11 chances.

This game might be Jeff Brohm’s last as Western Kentucky’s coach (amid rumors of Purdue), and his post game news conference certainly did not stop those rumors.