Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. South Alabama Jaguars - News - December 21, 2022 | FOX Sports

NEW ORLEANS BOWL

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・December 22, 2022 December 22 Dec 22

W Kentucky wins New Orleans Bowl. W Kentucky QB Reed passes for 498 yds, 4 TD

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Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA

Johnson's 6 3s, 25 points help South Carolina beat WKU 65-58

Meechie Johnson hit six 3-pointers and finished with 25 points — both career bests — and freshman Gregory Jackson II added 12 points and a season-high 16 rebounds to help South Car...

DECEMBER 23, 2022•ASSOCIATED PRESS

Malachi Corley - Huge bowl gameCorley caught 11 passes for 114 yards and two scores in Wednesday's New Orleans Bowl against South Alabama.

ImpactCorley stepped up as WKU's top receiver this year, finishing with 101 catches for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns. Even better for the Hilltoppers? Both he and quarterback Austin Reed have said they are returning for 2023.

DECEMBER 22, 2022•ROTOWIRE

Jaylen Hall - Finds end zoneHall caught nine passes for 138 yards and a touchdown Wednesday in the New Orleans Bowl against South Alabama.

ImpactThe Western Michigan transfer took a bit of time to work into the lineup, but over the final four games of the season he had 32 catches for 442 yards and four scores. If he returns for 2023, he could be in for a huge season with Austin Reed back under center.

DECEMBER 22, 2022•ROTOWIRE

Dalvin Smith - Big game in bowlSmith caught six passes for 145 yards and a touchdown in the New Orleans Bowl against South Alabama on Wednesday.

ImpactThis was Smith's first 100-yard game of the season, so he got it in just under the wire. Smith's role increased considerably this season, but he was still at best the fourth option in this passing game. However, that could change next year, and this season was encouraging to be sure.

DECEMBER 22, 2022•ROTOWIRE

Austin Reed - Hits 40-TD markReed went 36-for-55 for 497 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception Wednesday against South Alabama in the New Orleans Bowl.

ImpactReed had announced an intention to enter the transfer portal, but then decided to return to WKU for another season. That has to make the Hilltoppers coaching staff happy. With these four touchdown, Reed got to 40 passing scores on the season, plus eight rushing scores for good measure.

DECEMBER 22, 2022•ROTOWIRE

La'Damian Webb - Scores in New Orleans BowlWebb ran 12 times for 48 yards and caught four passes for 29 yards and one touchdown.

ImpactThe junior running back put up 77 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in Wednesday's comeback effort, after committing to return to South Alabama for 2023. He finished 2022 with 1,063 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, with 213 receiving yards and two scores.

DECEMBER 22, 2022•ROTOWIRE

DJ Thomas-Jones - Finds end zone in Wednesday's lossThomas caught four passes for 45 yards and one touchdown

ImpactThe junior tight end followed up his game winning touchdown in Week 13 by finding the end zone again in the New Orleans bowl. Thomas scored the teams' first touchdown early in the second half. Thomas finished 2022 scoring a touchdown in three of the final four games of the season.

DECEMBER 22, 2022•ROTOWIRE