WKU Hilltoppers Drop Season Opener to Louisville, 35-21

September 13, 2020

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Redshirt-junior quarterback Micale Cunningham threw for three touchdowns and rushed for one more as the Louisville Cardinals knocked off the in-state rival Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the regular season opener, 35-21.

Louisville dominated the first half of play and used a 21-0 advantage in the second quarter alone to spur them to a 28-7 lead at the halftime break.

Hawkins extends @UofLFootball’s lead with this 19 yard TD run. Cards have scored 21 straight and lead 21-7#Tops need an answer in the worst way. Huge possession coming up pic.twitter.com/eCAMMaO1c6

— Teran Johnson (@TeranJSports) September 13, 2020

The Hilltoppers’ play drastically improved throughout the final two quarters, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit as they fall to 0-1 on the season.

Cunningham was electric in the first fifteen minutes of play, completing six of ten passes for 181 yards and a touchdown. The Birmingham-native would account for two more scores in the second quarter and ultimately finished with a career-high 343 passing yards on the night.

For Tyson Helton’s squad, missed opportunities were the name of the game.

A fumble inside the redzone, missed INT and turnover on downs at the goal-line caused WKU to come up empty-handed, which is less than ideal when serving as an underdog on the road.

What probably should have been a pick by Antwon Kincade turns into a 70 yard touchdown for Dez Fitzpatrick.

Just one of those nights for the Tops. Louisville leads 35-14 pic.twitter.com/QIiw94Vens

— Teran Johnson (@TeranJSports) September 13, 2020

In his first start as a Hilltopper, graduate senior quarterback Tyrell Pigrome completed 10 of 23 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 68 yards on 17 carries.

Western Kentucky will look to rebound next Saturday, as they host Liberty in the home opener at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT.