Western Kentucky pulls off INSANE 28-point comeback to defeat Old Dominion 38-35 in overtime - after tying the game with their final play - as they clinch Famous Toastery Bowl

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers pulled off a 28-point comeback against Old Dominion to win the Famous Toastery Bowl 38-35 in overtime.

Redshirt freshman Caden Veltkamp came off the bench to throw for 383 yards and five touchdowns after replacing Turner Helton under center. 

Veltkamp spent the season listed as the third-string quarterback and was forced into action after Helton was massively unprepared to replace starting QB Austin Reed who didn't play in the game.

Reed had started every game this season at quarterback for the Hilltoppers this season.

Heading into Monday's game Veltkamp had thrown only six passes throughout his entire college career.

Veltkamp was able to force the game into overtime when he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal with 19 seconds left in regulation.

The Hilltoppers blocked a short field-goal attempt in overtime - their second blocked kick of the game - before Lucas Carneiro made a winning 29-yard field goal.

Western Kentucky's Dalvin Smith had nine receptions for 77 yards and three touchdown catches, two of which he speared with one hand.

The Hilltoppers (8-5) played without starting quarterback Austin Reed, who opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL draft. Veltkamp took over for Turner Helton midway through the first quarter with their team trailing 21-0.

The Hilltoppers would eventually go down 28-0 in the second quarter.

Grant Wilson ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another for Old Dominion (6-7). Kris Caine returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown and Kadarius Calloway added a rushing touchdown for the Monarchs.

Wilson got the Monarchs off on the right foot when he raced through a huge hole in the line for a 79-yard scamper - the longest run by a quarterback in ODU history - to set up a 1-yard touchdown pass to Isiah Page.

Two quick Helton mistakes led to two more ODU touchdowns.

The Hilltoppers would mount a comeback with Smith snaring a pass out of the air with one hand on a crossing route and taking it 17 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 28-14 with 10:24 left in the third quarter.

After Wilson scored a 21-yard scramble to make it 21-point game, Veltkamp responded with two more touchdown passes - a 37-yard strike to Elijah Young and his third scoring toss to Smith - to cut the lead to 35-28.

Old Dominion tried to make it a two-possession game, but Ethan Sanchez's 47-yard field goal was blocked, giving the Hilltoppers one last chance with 2:53 left.

Western Kentucky quickly reached the Monarchs 5 behind a 30-yard reception by Jimmy Holiday and a penalty on ODU.

Wayne Matthews sacked Veltkamp on third down, but Veltkamp responded with a 15-yard TD pass on fourth-and-goal to KD Hutchinson with 19 seconds left to tie the game at 35 and send it to overtime.

This was the first year for the bowl in Charlotte. It is normally the Bahamas Bowl, but was moved to the mainland because stadium renovations in Nassau were not complete.