Western Kentucky found themselves in a 28-0 hole early in Monday's Famous Toastery Bowl in Charlotte. For head coach Tyson Helton and is staff, a tweak was clearly needed.
Enter 6'6", 235-pound redshirt freshman Caden Veltkamp at quarterback. A product of South Warren High School (a 15-minute drive from WKU), Veltkamp is also the son of WKU's strength coach Jason Veltkamp.
While he had only thrown six passes over the course of two years, Veltkamp was the brightest offensive star on the field, throwing for five touchdowns and 383 yards in addition to 53 yards on the ground.
"We talk about it all the time. We say 'you always need to be ready when it's your turn.' Everybody gets a turn. Be ready when it's your turn. Caden Veltkamp was ready tonight, so we're so proud of him," Helton said during the game's trophy presentation.
RELATED: Western Kentucky Ride Furious Comeback To Bowl Win In Charlotte
As some G5 football aficionados may know, Helton is notably unbothered by the transfer portal and how it affects long-term roster building. For that reason and others, he allowed players looking for other schools in the portal to decide if they wanted to play in the bowl game or not. Veltkamp was one of those players.
Veltkamp announced on his social media back on November 27 his intent to enter the transfer portal, but play in WKU's bowl game. Of course, players can exit the portal if they decide it's a better move to stay put at their current school.
In the coming days/weeks, Tops fans will be looking for a hint at Veltkamp's future with his hometown team.
Following the game, Veltkamp was in tears and collapsed on the sideline, assumedly in disbelief at his and his team's achievement of one of the largest comebacks in FBS postseason history.
"I just love this team. This is my team. I love these guys, man. I'd do anything for these guys. I love these boys right here, man. I love these boys," Veltkamp said during the trophy presentation.
The early signing period begins on Wednesday, December 20.
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