BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- D'Andre Ferby ran for two touchdowns and Western Kentucky defeated Eastern Kentucky 31-17 in Mike Sanford's head coaching debut on Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.
Ferby scored on touchdown runs of five and two yards in his return after missing 2016 with a shoulder injury.
The two-time defending Conference USA champion Hilltoppers led 17-0 at halftime and held off a two-score rally in the third quarter from FCS-member Eastern Kentucky.
Tim Boyle threw two TD passes to Ryan Markush in the third to bring the Colonels within 24-14, but Western Kentucky pulled away to win its sixth-straight season opener.