MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- — 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 teams Saturday night.

Veltkamp, who also rushed for a touchdown, was 27-of-30 passing while wide receiver Dalvin Smith also threw a touchdown pass. Kisean Johnson made eight catches for a career-high 129 yards with two touchdowns.

The Blue Raiders' Nicholas Vattiato completed 24 of 31 passes for a personal-best 456 yards — 3 yards short of the school record — and three touchdowns with an interception. All three TD passes went to Omari Kelly, who made nine catches for a career-best 239 yards — 5 yards shy of the school record. Kelly's three TD catches match a school record reached multiple times.

The teams combined for 937 yards passing and 1,145 combined total yards of offense.

The Hilltoppers (2-1) scored the game's first 28 points before Middle Tennessee (1-2) got its first TD with 10:12 left in the third quarter.

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