Hunter Wilson/Daily News Western Kentucky's Tyrell Hayden leaps into the end zone for a touch down on Saturday.

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After everything that went wrong in the first half Saturday against North Texas, Western Kentucky still found itself minutes away from preserving a 40-39 lead and winning its first game in five tries.

But two interceptions in the final five minutes, including one in the closing seconds, proved to be the difference.

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Asked why the Hilltoppers chose to throw on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line with less than 14 seconds remaining, WKU coach David Elson defended the decision.

“We had two plays with 14 seconds left. We wanted to run a pass play - if it wasn’t there, throw it away and we have one play to win the game because the clock stops,” Elson said. “They just executed well and they won the game.”

Elson also said he - not offensive coordinator Kevin Wright - decided to take to the air with 4:36 left in the game and a one-point lead. That resulted in a North Texas interception and eventual game-winning touchdown.

“We just wanted to attack, (and) I told Kevin to call that play because it was open the first two times and I felt like it would be there,” Elson said. “That’s 100 percent on me, and hats off to North Texas. They stepped up and did a nice job and did what they had to do to win the game.”

Despite two crucial late-game turnovers, Elson said mistakes and missed opportunities throughout the game decided the outcome.

The Hilltoppers threw three interceptions, fumbled once, missed a field goal, missed two extra points and allowed one of the blocked attempts to be returned for a safety.

On top of that, North Texas quarterback Giovanni Vizza had his way for most of the game, throwing for four touchdowns and 214 yards. That complemented a strong rushing performance from Mean Green running back Cam Montgomery, who finished with 130 yards and a touchdown.

“We didn’t come out and control the line of scrimmage, we weren’t sitting right in gaps and they didn’t do anything different, we just have to practice better,” Elson said. “I don’t know, we have to evaluate deeper or harder or something - that’s why it’s frustrating.

“It’s just not working right now.”

Special teams miscues

WKU kicker Tanner Siewert didn’t exactly have a day to remember.

The fifth-year senior’s missed kicks left seven Hilltopper points on the field.

“Tanner’s our guy, Tanner’s done a heck of a job and I wish I had an answer for you,” Elson said. “It’s ironic that things you practice (don’t work out), that’s the game of football. That’s why people come to watch and that’s why we play because you never know what to expect.

“I told them to take a step back and realize they have all these different areas in their life, and right now the football area of winning games is not going well. But we’ve got a lot of other things to be thankful for ... and we’re going to fight through this and we’re going to come out on top.”

Offensive outburst

David Wolke and Tyrell Hayden became the first two players of the season to rush for more than 100 yards in a game.

Wolke’s 178 yards was a career high, and his 190 yards passing was second only to his 213-yard performance in a 28-21 win over Chattanooga last season.

“David’s a warrior. David’s one of the toughest, most competitive guys that I’ve been around in coaching,” Elson said. “He fought his tail off and gave everything he had out there, and we came up short.

“Our defense didn’t play well, we had some problems with special teams, and we were in that game because of the plays that David Wolke made.”

Hayden ran for 117 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

Extra points — There were three plays reviewed during the third quarter alone on Saturday. One play was upheld, and two catches were later ruled incomplete passes. Prior to the contest, the replay system had only been used once inside Houchens-Smith Stadium. ... Gaebler’s 125 receiving yards fell 8 yards short of his career high of 133, set at Southern Illinois in 2006. ... Thanks to television timeouts for the ESPN Regional broadcast, the high point total and a series of replays, Saturday’s game lasted three hours and 46 minutes.