Junior running back Stephen Willis said he and the rest of the team waited in the locker room at halftime, not knowing how coach David Elson was going to react to their lackluster first-half performance.

“We didn’t know if he was going to come in and start yelling,” Willis said.

On the way to a 28-21 victory over Chattanooga at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Western finished the first half tied with the Mocs, 14-14.

“Surprisingly enough, he was very calm,” senior defensive back Bo Smith said of Elson at halftime. “He told us we were just doing small things wrong.”

Chattanooga (2-7) collected 184 yards on the ground in the first half, compared to Western’s 151. The Topper offense was 0-for-2 on fourth down and 1-for-2 in the redzone.

Elson said he did not think the Toppers came out and established themselves on either side of the ball up front.

Quarterback David Wolke’s 13-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Jessie Quinn, tied the score with :23 left in the first half.

Wolke said Elson’s words at halftime were very encouraging.

“He said if we played our football game and played the way we know how to play, we’re gonna win,” Wolke said.

Western came out in the second half and did just that.

The Topper defense held Chattanooga to 54 rushing yards in the final 30 minutes of the contest, allowing a lone touchdown in the third quarter.

In the second half, Western’s offense put up 228 total yards and two fourth-quarter scores that led to the victory.

With the score was tied 21-21 with three minutes left in the contest, Smith’s interception on Western’s 23-yard line set up the Toppers’ game-winning drive.

“Coach kept stressing somebody had to step up and make a play,” Smith said. “He also told us that championship teams find a way to win the game.”

Western took the lead for good on sophomore running back Marell Booker’s 12-yard touchdown run with :53 left in the contest.

Sophomore running back Tyrell Hayden led the team with a career-high 149 yards on 22 carries.

Wolke went 13-for-23 for 213 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. The performance was the first 200-yard passing game of his career, and the first time this season a Western quarterback has thrown for multiple touchdowns in a game.

Wolke shared time with redshirt freshman quarterback K.J. Black in the first half, but took all the snaps under center in the second half.

“I think everybody came back and showed what kind of heart this team has and played a great football game,” Wolke said.

The Toppers (6-3) host Troy (6-3, 5-0 Sun Belt Conference) 4 p.m. Saturday for homecoming.

Reach Will Perkins at sports@chherald.com.