(BCSNN) — Western Kentucky secured its seventh consecutive bowl-eligible season in thrilling fashion Tuesday night, edging Louisiana Tech 28–27 in overtime at Joe Aillet Stadium. Quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr., making his first career start, connected with Moussa Barry for the game-winning two-point conversion after George Hart III’s 4-yard touchdown run in the extra period.

The win moves the Toppers to 6–2 overall and 4–1 in Conference USA play.

The Hilltoppers opened the scoring with a 47-yard field goal from John Cannon before Louisiana Tech responded with a 6-yard touchdown pass to take a 7–3 lead. WKU answered with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Tisdale to La’Vell Wright late in the first quarter, then extended the lead to 17–7 on a 1-yard run by Hart early in the second. Jack Cassidy added a 53-yard field goal—tied for sixth-longest in program history—to give WKU a 20–7 halftime advantage.

Louisiana Tech stormed back in the second half, starting with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The Bulldogs added two 24-yard field goals to tie the game at 20–20, and both teams had field goal attempts blocked in the final two minutes of regulation. Koron Hayward’s block on Louisiana Tech’s final attempt sent the game to overtime.

After Louisiana Tech scored first in the extra frame on a 2-yard rush, WKU responded with Hart’s second touchdown of the night. Tisdale then found Barry for the decisive two-point conversion, sealing WKU’s first overtime win since the 2023 Famous Toastery Bowl. Tisdale finished with 227 passing yards and a touchdown on 21-of-34 passing, adding a team-high 73 rushing yards on 12 carries.

WKU’s offense totaled 340 yards, including 113 on the ground. K.D. Hutchinson led all receivers with 77 yards on six catches, while Gabriel Benyard, Christian Moss, and Coleman Bennett each contributed. Defensively, the Hilltoppers held Louisiana Tech to 109 rushing yards—their best mark of the season—and got standout performances from Jaylen Wester (15 tackles) and Miller Malone (10 tackles, 2 TFLs). Jaavan Mack added his first career interception in the third quarter. WKU has now won three of the last four meetings against Louisiana Tech, all in Ruston