A 97-yard kickoff return by Reggie Whatley with just over six minutes remaining in the game broke a 24-24 tie, and proved to be the winning score as Middle Tennessee handed the Western Kentucky University football team their second straight home loss 34-29 Thursday night at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

The loss dropped the Hilltoppers to 6-3 on the year and 3-2 in the Sun Belt Conference, while MTSU improved to 6-3 and 4-1 in the league.