Western Kentucky and Austin Peay squared off in the first game of the 2022 college football season on Saturday. And it was the Hilltoppers that topped Austin Peay 38-27 in week zero action.
WKU outscored Austin Peay 17-7 in the 4th quarter. As a result, they were able to pull away late in the game.
Hilltoppers Top Austin Peay in Week Zero Action
The Hilltoppers made plays on both sides of the ball to gain the victory on Saturday. QB Austin Reed threw for 279 yards and four touchdown passes and only 1 INT. Three of those TD passes went to WR Malachi Corley.
Corley caught five passes for 61 yards and scored three times on the day. He is one of WKU’s experienced returning receivers. He caught 73 passes last season for 691 yards and 7 TDs in 2021.
Corley scored touchdowns of 16 yards, 11 yards, and 25 yards.
WR Daewood Davis caught six of Reed’s passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 20 yards per catch for the game. His lone touchdown went for 48 yards.
Austin Peay QB Mike DiLiello passed for 156 yards and two TDs. However, he did throw 2 INTs. In addition, he also added a rushing touchdown. His two touchdown passes went to WR Drae McCray, who caught 6 passes for 90 yards.
The Hilltoppers Top Austin Peay with Defense
The WKU defense forced four turnovers on the day. In addition, they sacked DiLiello five times. They also added a pick-six to the stat sheet.
JaQues Evans racked up 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2.5 tackles for loss. JuWan Jones added 10 tackles.
Upton Stout jumped a route to pick off a pass and he took it to the house for a 34-yard INT return for a touchdown.
It was the second consecutive season-opening win for the Hilltoppers.
Next Up on the Schedule
WKU will travel to take on Hawaii on September 3rd. Austin Peay will face off against Presbyterian next Saturday.
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