W. Kentucky 38, W. Illinois 35

9/30/2006 9:17 PM

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) -A 14-yard touchdown pass from Justin Haddix to Jake Gaebler with 35 seconds to play rallied Western Kentucky to a 38-35 win over Western Illinois in the Gateway Conference opener for both teams Saturday night.

The Hilltoppers (2-2, 1-0) took their only lead of the game on the touchdown throw, which was followed by a two-point conversion run by Lerron Moore. Western Illinois (3-2, 0-1) led by 14 points in the first half and still by 11 points as late as the 13-minute mark of fourth quarter.

But Western Kentucky answered a 47-yard touchdown pass from Leathernecks quarterback Steve LaFalco to Marco Thomas with a 59-yard touchdown pass from Haddix to Curtis Hamilton with 12:29 left.

Running backs starred for both teams as Moore rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns on 23 attempts for the Hilltoppers.

Herb Donaldson ran for 144 yards and three scores on 21 attempts for Western Illinois.

Western Kentucky battled from behind after the Leathernecks struck for consecutive touchdown runs by Donaldson in the second quarter to take a 21-7 lead.

Offense dominated the game as neither team forced a punt nor committed a turnover.

Haddix finished 16-of-20 passing for 247 yards and two touchdowns for the Hilltoppers. LaFalce was also 16-of-20 for 200 yards and one score.