Featured Photo by Myles Valrie
Story by Jacob Burgess
The 2024 edition of the 100 Miles of Hate rivalry game between Middle Tennessee (1-2) and Western Kentucky (2-1) was a one-sided affair as the Blue Raiders lost 49-21.
Middle Tennessee struggled to capitalize in the first half, with two drives halted at the one-yard line.
MTSU started its most important game thus far by muffing the kickoff, which resulted in the offense beginning at its own one-yard line. The drive stalled after crossing half field when MTSU failed on a fourth down and threw the ball out of bounds.
Western Kentucky’s first drive saw them convert a fourth-down attempt. Starting quarterback TJ Finley was injured, but backup Caden Veltkamp led the Hilltoppers to the game’s first touchdown. Veltkamp orchestrated three touchdown drives in the first half, passing for 225 yards.
The Blue Raiders had chances of their own to score, getting stopped at the one-yard line in back-to-back drives. The first time MTSU had the ball on the one-yard line and was not able to score with a full set of downs.
In MTSU’s second redzone outing, quarterback Nick Vattiato threw an interception at the one-yard line.
The second half was the same for Western Kentucky while MTSU were able to capitalize more. WKU’s first drive took less than a minute, with Veltkamp connecting a 72-yard touchdown pass to receiver K.D. Hutchinson.
Middle Tennessee finally scored with Vattiato connecting with Omari Kelly for a 37-yard touchdown pass. The duo linked up again for a 71-yard touchdown on the next drive.
Leading 35-14, WKU started pulling all the tricks out of the bag running a double pass play extending Western Kentucky’s lead. The Hilltoppers had previously dropped a similar attempt earlier in the game.
WKU would cap off the night winning its sixth straight 100 Miles of Hate rivalry.
Jacob Burgess is the Sports Lead Reporter for MTSU Sidelines.
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