CADEN VELTKAMP NEWS

Struggles against La Tech Veltcamp went 18-for-26 for 152 yards and ran eight times for 17 yards against La Tech on Saturday.

Impact During the week WKU announced Veltkamp would remain the starting quarterback even with TJ FInley healthy. Then, he went out and had his worst game of the season. Maybe the Hilltoppers will rethink that vote of confidence?

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Will remain starting QB Veltkamp will remain Western Kentucky's starting quarterback with TJ Finley (lower leg) available, Kaden Gaylord-Day of WBKO reports.

Impact While Veltkamp was Western Kentucky's starting quarterback, there was always the lingering fact of whether or not Finley would be the Hilltoppers' QB1 when he became available, considering the former got the top job after his fellow QB went down with a lower-leg injury. However, Veltkamp has risen to the occasion since Week 3, racking up over 2,000 total yards and 25 total touchdowns, pushing Finley down to a reserve role. The former will look to keep his pace up for at least three more games before Western Kentucky's 2024 season comes to a close.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Totals four TDs Veltkamp went 18-for-27 for 246 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against NMSU on Saturday. He also ran 11 times for 25 yards and two scores.

Impact Veltkamp has had some turnover issues, but the WKU staff has tweaked the offense to build around his skills after TJ Finley went down with a leg injury. He doesn't air it out as much, but he still has 19 passing touchdowns and has rushed over over 20 yards five games and has totaled seven run scores.

NOVEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Throws three TDs Veltkamp went 17-for-22 for 276 yards and three touchdowns against KSU on Wednesday. He also ran 10 times for 26 yards.

Impact Veltkamp started the season behind TJ Finley on the depth chart before Finley injured his leg. Well he's now completed 70.4 percent of his passes with 17 touchdowns against five picks, and added 124 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. The Hilltoppers are 6-2, undefeated in conference play, and the favorites to win Conference USA. Even if and when Finley is healthy, this should be Veltkamp's job.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Caden Veltkamp passes for 3 TDs and Western Kentucky becomes bowl eligible for 6th straight season

Caden Veltkamp passed for 276 yards and three touchdowns, Elijah Young rushed for 114 yards and Western Kentucky eased by Kennesaw State 31-14

OCTOBER 31 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Totals four TDs Veltkamp went 20-for-29 for 281 yards and three touchdowns Wednesday against Sam Houston. He also ran for 27 yards and a score.

Impact Veltkamp has had some issues with turnovers, but not in this game. Since stepping in at quarterback he's thrown for 14 touchdowns against five picks, and he's also run for five touchdowns, though on 1.7 yards per carry.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Caden Veltkamp's 4 total TDs lead Western Kentucky past Sam Houston 31-14

Caden Veltkamp threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, and he added a score on the ground as Western Kentucky controlled the fourth quarter in beating Sam Houston 31-14

OCTOBER 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Caden Veltkamp, Michael Mathison guide Western Kentucky to 44-17 victory over winless UTEP

Caden Veltkamp threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score, Michael Mathison had two touchdown catches and a touchdown run, and Western Kentucky cruised to a 44-17 victory ove...

OCTOBER 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tallies four TDs, INT Veltkamp went 18-for-27 for 264 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception against UTEP on Thursday. He also picked up 29 rushing yards and a touchdown, though 25 of those yards...

Impact While Veltkamp through another pick, after having three turnovers in each of his last two games having only one is an improvement. Pairing that turnover with four touchdowns more than makes up for it, and with TJ Finley in a walking boot, the job remains his with an easy conference schedule coming up.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Two more TDs, three more turnovers Veltkamp went 25-for-39 for 232 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against Boston College on Saturday. He ran for 16 yards, but also lost a fumble.

Impact In his three games as the primary QB for the Hilltoppers, Veltkamp has performed in a way that is rich with incident. He has eight touchdown passes, and also three rushing scores. However, he's also turned the ball over three times in each of his last two starts.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Veltkamp rallies Hilltoppers past Toledo 26-21 as Mathews saves game with 2 late picks

Caden Veltkamp threw for one touchdown and ran for two fourth-quarter scores and Devonte’ Mathews intercepted two passes in the last minute to rally Western Kentucky to a 26-21 win...

SEPTEMBER 22 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Three TDs, three turnovers Veltkamp went 20-for-30 for 242 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions against Toledo on Saturday. He ran for 20 yards with two touchdowns, but fumbled twice, losing one.

Impact Veltkamp set the bar awfully high for himself by throwing for five touchdowns in each of his first two college starts. This was definitely a mixed bag, but Toledo is usually one of the better Group of Five teams, and looked the part coming into this one. TJ Finley (leg) is expected to miss weeks, so Veltkamp will have an opportunity to find his rhythm as the guy for the Hilltoppers.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Named Week 4 starter Veltkamp was named Western Kentucky's starter for Week 4 against Toledo, Jeff Nations of Bowling Green Daily News reports.

Impact Veltkamp is coming off an unbelievable performance against Middle Tennessee in which he completed 27-of-30 passes for 398 yards and five touchdowns. That dazzling showing has earned him the starting role for the Hilltoppers against Toledo, as he'll step into the top gunslinger spot with TJ Finely out for multiple weeks.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Starting quarterback Saturday Veltkamp will be Western Kentucky's starting quarterback Saturday against Toledo, The Extra Point reports.

Impact TJ Finley (leg) is expected to be out for at least multiple weeks. At least for Saturday, Western Kentucky's starting quarterback will be Veltkamp, who logged five touchdowns at Middle Tennessee State last Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Veltkamp throws 5 TDs in WKU's 49-21 win over Middle Tennessee in game with 937 yards passing

Caden Veltkamp threw for 398 of WKU’s 481 yards passing with a career-tying five touchdowns and Western Kentucky defeated Middle Tennessee 49-21 in a Conference USA opener for both...

SEPTEMBER 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Comes up huge in relief Veltkamp went 27-for-30 for 398 yards and five touchdowns against MTSU on Saturday. He also plunged for a 1-yard touchdown run as well.

Impact Poor TJ Finley. He joined the Hilltoppers from Texas State, had to face Alabama in the 2024 opener, and now early in his third game with his new team he suffered a leg injury. Oh, and then Finley had to see his backup step in and total six touchdowns. If Veltkamp, fresh off this star turn, is starting in Week 4, he'll be facing Toledo.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Could play at Alabama Veltkamp could play during Western Kentucky's game Saturday at Alabama, Cole McIntire of The Extra Point WKU reports.

Impact Despite the fact that TJ Finley was named Western Kentucky's starting quarterback Saturday, head coach Tyson Helton publicized Monday that he told both Finley and Veltkamp they need to be ready to play. The latter is expected to, which gives him an opportunity to showcase his case on why he should be WKU's primary QB.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Will return to Western Kentucky Veltkamp announced Wednesday that he will return to Western Kentucky for the 2024 season.

Impact The redshirt freshman quarterback has decided to stick around with the Hilltoppers after a short stint on the transfer portal. Veltkamp saw minimal snaps during the regular season but came off the bench during the bowl game against Old Dominion, leading a triumphant comeback en route to completing 40 of 52 passes for 383 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. The 6-foot-6 signal-caller will look to fight for the starting job next season.

DECEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Furious rally by Western Kentucky leads to epic bad beat for Old Dominion bettors

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers rallied from a 28-point deficit leading to an epic bad beat for Old Dominion bettors in the Famous Toastery...

DECEMBER 19, 2023

Caden Veltkamp throws for 5 TDs, Western Kentucky erases 28-point deficit to beat ODU 38-35 in OT

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 er...

DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS