NEW ORLEANS -- It was a whirlwind few weeks for Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed prior to Wednesday’s record-setting 44-23 win over South Alabama in the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
Reed briefly entered the transfer portal in early December before changing course and deciding to remain at WKU. He showed why his return was so significant in Wednesday’s win, throwing for a New Orleans Bowl record 497 yards and four touchdowns. The 497 yards also eclipsed the WKU record for a quarterback in a bowl game, surpassing Brandon Doughty’s 486-yard performance in the 2014 Bahamas Bowl.
Reed was a unanimous selection for New Orleans Bowl MVP -- showcasing his talents in front of a nationally televised prime-time ESPN audience.