W Kentucky wins C-USA in shootout 58-44 over Louisiana Tech

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) Anthony Wales rushed for 209 yards and four touchdowns, Mike White threw for 421 and three more scores and Western Kentucky defeated Louisiana Tech 58-44 on Saturday in the Conference USA championship game.

The Hilltoppers (10-3) and Bulldogs (8-5), who won the regular-season matchup 55-52 on Oct. 6, combined for 1,163 yards of total offense in the highest scoring championship game in C-USA history. It is the second straight title for Western Kentucky, which is headed to its third bowl in a row and fourth in five years.

Following a 1-yard run by Kam McKnight that gave the Bulldogs their only lead of the second half at 38-34, Western Kentucky would take control in outscoring the Bulldogs 24-6 over the final 24 minutes.

Wales would score twice on runs of 15 and 13 yards, with the last proving to be the backbreaker and provided the final margin.

Wales also had a receiving touchdown with five catches for 53 yards.

Ryan Higgins threw for 502 yards and three touchdowns for the Bulldogs.