CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Redshirt freshman Caden Veltkamp came off the bench to throw for 383 yards and five touchdowns, Lucas Carneiro made a winning 29-yard field goal in overtime and Western Kentucky erased a 28-point deficit to beat Old Dominion, 38-35, on Monday at the Famous Toastery Bowl.
Veltkamp, the Hilltoppers third-string quarterback who had thrown just six passes in his career, tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal with 19 seconds left in regulation to push the game into an extra period.
The Hilltoppers blocked a short field-goal attempt in overtime — their second blocked kick of the game — before Carneiro drilled his.
Western Kentucky’s Dalvin Smith had nine receptions for 77 yards and three touchdown catches, two of which he speared with one hand.
The Hilltoppers (8-5) played without starting quarterback Austin Reed, who opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft. Veltkamp took over for Turner Helton midway through the first quarter with their team trailing 21-0.
The Hilltoppers were down 28-0 in the second quarter.
Grant Wilson ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another for Old Dominion (6-7). Kris Caine returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown, and Kadarius Calloway added a rushing touchdown for the Monarchs.
