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It took 46 minutes after kickoff for the first set of fireworks to go off in Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium Saturday afternoon.

But the echoing display after each home score occurred four more times on Western’s way to a 26-6 victory over Eastern Kentucky in the “Battle of the Bluegrass.”

“It feels good anytime you get a W,” head coach David Elson said. “But when it’s against your cross-state rival, it feels doubly good.”

The Colonels (1-2) led by three until Topper junior linebacker Alonzo Higgins tackled senior running back Bobby Washington in the end zone for a safety two minutes into the second quarter.

The Toppers (2-1) scored on the next drive when redshirt freshman K.J. Black threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Quinterrance Cooper.

Western took a 9-3 lead and kept it for the remainder of the contest.

Even though they turned the ball over three times, the Toppers collected 422 yards of total offense. Eastern marched 215 yards on its way to two field goals.

Senior wide receiver Curtis Hamilton led the Toppers with a career-high 12 catches for 139 yards. Cooper caught the ball four times for 61 yards and a touchdown.

“That’s something we got to continue to do, get the ball to Curtis Hamilton,” Elson said. “He obviously knows what to do when he gets it and is a threat every time he touches it.”

Senior Quarterback David Wolke went 16-28 for 139 yards with an interception. Black went 9-13 for 114 yards and a touchdown. Wolke rushed for 40 yards, Black for 27.

A team goal for the game was to break the attendance record of 20,428 set in 1968 against Eastern Kentucky, but the 17,000-capacity stadium only packed in 18,898.

“I think we did the best we could and that’s something we have to continue to build on,” Elson said. “But I thought it was a great crowd. They were into it.”

Reach Will Perkins at sports@chherald.com.