Stout defense, solid run game lifts Tops over Nevada
Published 11:30 pm Saturday, September 20, 2025
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Western Kentucky graduate running back La’Vell Wright (11) drives to the goal line during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
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Western Kentucky defensive back Al-Ma’hi Ali (2, left) and defensive end Harper Holloman (44) defend Nevada running back Herschel Turner (2) during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
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Western Kentucky graduate running back La’Vell Wright (11) flies over Nevada’s Daijon Calimon (8) during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
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Western Kentucky’s Jairus Mack (5) is defended by Nevada’s Kasen Kinchen during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
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Western Kentucky redshirt junior offensive lineman Karsten Upchurch (74) celebrates after Western Kentucky redshirt senior running back George Hart III (9) scores during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
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Western Kentucky redshirt sophomore tight end Noah Meyers (81) and Nevada’s Murvin Kenion III (5) fly over the field during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
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Nevada’s Ky Woods (25) is defended by Western Kentucky during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
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Western Kentucky graduate running back La’Vell Wright (11) scores during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
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Western Kentucky graduate running back La’Vell Wright (11) cheers after scoring a touchdown during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
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Western Kentucky graduate quarterback Maverick McIvor (7) hands off to Western Kentucky graduate running back La’Vell Wright (11) during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
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Western Kentucky graduate quarterback Maverick McIvor (7) passes during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
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Western Kentucky graduate running back La’Vell Wright (11) is defended by Nevada’s AJ Odums (1) during WKU’s 31-16 home win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 20. (JACK DOBBS / Daily news)
Western Kentucky’s defense delivered a stout performance and the offense got going late behind a resurgent run game as the Hilltoppers rallied past Nevada for a 31-16 win Saturday night at Houchens-Smith Stadium.
Behind a combined three second-half touchdowns from running backs George Hart III and La’Vell Wright, the Tops finally found their way into the end zone after a frustrating first half against the Wolf Pack.
WKU (3-1) stayed in the game thanks to a stubborn defensive showing, holding Nevada (1-3) out of the end zone on two red-zone opportunities by forcing turnovers to end the drives.
“Our guys kept grinding,” WKU coach Tyson Helton said. “I’m proud of our defense for keeping us going, keeping us in the game, continuing to make stops and creating big plays for us.
“Then offensively, we moved the ball and couldn’t get in the end zone, couldn’t find our way, but in the second half, was able to put it all together, which is what you want to do if you’re going to be a good football team – when the pressure’s on, you’ve got to go answer and you’ve got to ring the bell. I thought, as a team, we did that, especially in the fourth quarter. I thought that was good to see. Very happy about this win.”
Down 10-3 at halftime, the Tops got moving on the opening possession of the second half. Wright finished off a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to knot the score at 10-all with 3:52 left in the third.
The Wolf Pack retook the lead on 43-yard field goal by Joe McFadden, but the answered early in the fourth when Hart (team-high 63 rushing yards) took a direct snap out of the newly-unveiled wildcat formation and scored on an 8-yard touchdown run that gave the Tops their first lead at 17-13 with 11:23 left in the game.
After forcing a Nevada punt on the ensuing possession, WKU went back to work by leaning into its ground game. Wright did the majority of the work on a 14-play, 87-yard drive that he capped with a spectacular 8-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 24-13 with just 1:49 to play.
“I wouldn’t be able to do anything if it wasn’t for those big boys up front. Big shoutout to them,” said Wright, who finished with 47 rushing yards and two TDs. “Coach (Rick) Bowie called the right calls and we executed. That was the biggest thing for us coming into this week, was execute, execute, execute, and I feel like that’s what we did.”
After being held to 27 rushing yards in the first half, Tops piled up 118 and three touchdowns in the final two quarters.
“They kept playing really high two safeties, soft coverage,” Helton said. “They just said, ‘Hey, you’re not going to throw it over our heads. We’re going to make you go the distance.’ We’re a heavy passing team and I don’t blame them for doing that. They said you’re going to have to run the football and we did. I’m really proud of La’Vell Wright. I gave him the game ball. I call him the ‘Big Horse.’ He’s a big back and he put us on his shoulders and carried us and made some fantastic runs, as did the other running backs as well. George had some great runs, Marvis (Parrish) had some great runs. It was good to see that when we needed to run the football that we did.”
The Wolf Pack made it a one-possession game with McFadden’s 22-yard field goal with 1:20 left to pull within eight at 24-16. Nevada tried an onside kick, but WKU wide receiver Matthew Henry delivered the final blow when he scooped up the ball and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown — Henry has scored a touchdown in each of the Tops’ four games this season.
The big finish was a marked contrast to the start for the Hilltoppers, who managed just three points on a John Cannon 40-yard field goal in the first quarter.
“I personally felt like that just wasn’t us in the first half,” said WKU redshirt sophomore tight end Noah Meyers, who finished with a career-high six catches for 81 yards. “I think we all knew that we were better than that and we came out and showed it in the second half, and put some points on the board.”
That 10-3 halftime deficit could have been worse if not for the Tops’ defense.
WKU linebacker Anthony Brackenridge (team-high 11 tackles) forced a fumble that teammate Jaylen Lewis recovered at the Tops’ 11 to stop a red-zone incursion in the second quarter.
Lewis came up with another red-zone stop later in the second when he ripped the ball free on a pass into the end zone for an interception.
“I’m just glad that I’m a part of this team and I can continue to contribute and continue to make plays for this team,” Lewis said. “I was very excited when I got them two (turnovers). I’ve got to get more.”
WKU quarterback Maverick McIvor had his first game without a passing touchdown, finishing with 216 yards off 22-of-33 passes with an interception.
Nevada outgained the Tops in total yardage, 372-361, but was just 5-of-16 on third-down conversion attempts.
WKU is back in action on Sept. 27 at Conference USA newcomer Missouri State. Game time is 6 p.m. in Springfield, Missouri. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
