Ajay Allen runs for two touchdowns as WKU beats Missouri State 34-13

Ajay Allen's 39-yard touchdown run gave Western Kentucky the finish it needed in a 34-13 win over Missouri State on Thursday night in Bowling Green. As the Associated Press reported, Allen took a direct snap and reached the end zone with 5:46 remaining, stretching a lead that the Bears had cut to eight points in the third quarter.

Allen ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. His late score capped an evening in which the Hilltoppers gained 233 yards on the ground and kept Missouri State from turning its brief second-half push into a close finish. Quarterback Brock Glenn added 95 rushing yards and a touchdown to go with 231 passing yards and another score.

WKU improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in Conference USA. Missouri State fell to 1-4 and lost its conference opener. For the Hilltoppers, the result supplied a response to their 34-13 loss at New Mexico State a week earlier and put a conference victory behind a difficult start to the season.

Glenn opened the scoring with a 1-yard run at 6:38 of the first quarter. Missouri State answered with two Yazan Obeid field goals, leaving WKU ahead 7-6 midway through the second. Glenn then found Jonathan Stafford Jr. for a 42-yard touchdown with 4:57 left before halftime. Allen added a 3-yard rushing score with 38 seconds remaining, sending the Hilltoppers into the break with a 21-6 advantage.

That stretch changed the game. Missouri State had kept its first two scoring possessions alive long enough to get points, but both ended with field goals. WKU followed with touchdowns on consecutive scoring drives, building a cushion the Bears spent the rest of the night chasing.

Henry Belin IV brought Missouri State closer with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Myers at 7:23 of the third quarter. At 21-13, the Bears were within one touchdown and a two-point conversion. WKU answered with Karl Campbell's 34-yard field goal late in the third, then a 43-yarder at 11:17 of the fourth. Allen's second touchdown completed a 13-point closing run.

Stafford finished with six receptions for 72 yards, while Lofton Howard had three catches for 61. Glenn completed 20 of 35 passes without an interception. WKU committed no turnovers and converted nine of 17 third downs, giving its running game and passing attack enough chances to build 464 total yards.

Missouri State finished with 340 yards. Skyler Locklear threw for 89 yards and an interception and led the Bears with 76 rushing yards. Belin passed for 115 yards and the touchdown to Myers, who caught three balls for 77 yards. The Bears converted four of 15 third downs and one of four fourth-down attempts.

Both teams return to Wednesday football next week: WKU visits Sam Houston, while Missouri State hosts Kennesaw State.