WKU out played the Mean Green during the first half and held a 20 to 7 lead at the half. If you turned off the television after the first half and heard the final score later you were no doubt surprised.
North Texas looked like a different team after halftime and fought back to within two points at the end of the third quarter.
WKU's Chris James field goal at the 9:50 mark in the fourth quarter extended the lead to 26 to 21. I felt good after the field goal forcing North Texas to have to score touchdown instead of a field goal to take the lead.
Roughly three minutes later North Texas RB Jamario Thomas broke loose for a 42-yard touchdown run with 6:54 remaining. The Hilltoppers drove the field and had a chance to take the lead with a last minute field goal. The snap was high, the kick was partially blocked and the thirty-eight yard attempt fell short.
QB #3 David Wolke had 14 completions out of 20 attempts for 129 yards. The Hilltoppers leading rusher RB #1 Tyrell Hayden gained 97 yards on 19 carries and had 1 touchdown. SR WR #15 Curtis Hamilton finished his career on high note with 7 receptions for 73 yards.
There were many questions marks about the Hilltoppers at the beginning of the 2007 season. The biggest question was could the Hilltoppers successfully move to D1 play and be competitive. The question was answered with a loud and resounding yes. Head Coach David Elson and his staff did a remarkable job this season. The Hilltoppers were more than competitive this season and will only get better as the playing field levels over the next couple of years.
This season was exciting, fun and everything Hilltopper fans could have hoped.
Most of all, the Hilltopper team of 2007 made history just as they set out to do before the season started.
Sadly, for fans, the season is over, but the Hilltoppers are just getting started to get ready for the 2008 campaign.
Coaches will hit the road recruiting over the next few weeks and strength and conditioning will begin shortly.
Before you know it, WKU will be invading Tuscaloosa, Alabama to take on the Crimson Tide. I already have chill bumps just thinking about the Hilltoppers pulling off an upset and rocking the college football world to start the 2008 season. Next season the Hilltoppers will be eager to make history too!