2025 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

2025 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
ConferenceConference USA
Record8–4 (6–2 CUSA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorRick Bowie (1st season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorDa'Von Brown (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinatorDavis Merritt (1st season)
Base defense3–3–5
Home stadiumHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
2025 Conference USA football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Kennesaw State y$   7 – 1     10 – 4  
Jacksonville State y   7 – 1     9 – 5  
Western Kentucky   6 – 2     8 – 4  
Missouri State   5 – 3     7 – 6  
FIU   5 – 3     7 – 5  
Louisiana Tech   5 – 3     7 – 5  
Delaware   4 – 4     7 – 6  
Liberty   3 – 5     4 – 8  
Middle Tennessee   2 – 6     3 – 9  
New Mexico State   2 – 6     4 – 8  
UTEP   1 – 7     2 – 10  
Sam Houston   1 – 7     2 – 10  
Championship: Kennesaw State 19, Jacksonville State 15
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of December 20, 2025

The 2025 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represents Western Kentucky University as a member of Conference USA (CUSA) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hilltoppers are led by Tyson Helton in his seventh year as the head coach. The Hilltoppers play home games at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium, located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

Player Position Destination
Darrell Johnson Jr. OL Akron
Dallas Walker IV DL Auburn
Al Sandifer DL Austin Peay
Montreze Smith LB Austin Peay
Reginald Allen Jr. LB Bryant
Jaylen Hampton WR Charlotte
Ki'Shawn Harvey DL East Tennessee State
Wesley Horton DL East Tennessee State
Jalen Hand DL Eastern Kentucky
Gabriel Arnold OL Eastern Michigan
Easton Messer WR Florida Atlantic
Caden Veltkamp QB Florida Atlantic
Deante McCray DE Florida State
Elvin Fofanah TE Gardner–Webb
River Helms TE Georgia Southern
Turner Helton QB Georgia Southern
Trent Zappe LB Houston Christian
Hosea Wheeler DL Indiana
Alex Ford DB Kennesaw State
Marcus Patterson DE Kennesaw State
Evan Wibberley OL Kentucky
Brandon Buckhaulter WR Louisiana–Monroe
Darius Thomas LB Louisville
Jalil Rivera-Harvey DL Marshall
Reid Jamerson DE Minot State
LT Sanders RB North Alabama
Jaymar Mundy DB Ohio
Lucas Carneiro K Ole Miss
Leavy Johnson OL South Alabama
Rodney Newsom Jr. OL South Carolina
T. J. Finley QB Tulane
Dallen Ponder WR Tulsa
Koy Moore WR UNLV
Mike Moment OL UT Martin
Demick Starling WR Utah State
Jayden Loving DL Wake Forest
Dave Herard DB Unknown
Jarvis Hayes WR Unknown
Ely George LB Unknown
Bryce Childress WR Unknown
Trace Patterson TE Unknown
Marshall Jackson OL Withdrawn
Moussa Berry WR Withdrawn
Kylan Guidry DL Withdrawn
Demarko Williams DB Withdrawn

Incoming

Player Position Previous school
Maverick McIvor QB Abilene Christian
Laurance Seymore OL Akron
Jakeem Fletcher DL Alabama State
Avarion Cole DB Appalachian State
La'Vell Wright RB Austin Peay
Nick Reimer OL Bowling Green
Kody Epps WR BYU
Jemeil Jackson OL Central Michigan
Jaavan Mack CB Charlotte
Jairus Mack WR Charlotte
Al-Ma'hi Ali DB Charlotte
Jaylen Wester LB Colorado
Montreze Smith LB Duke
Jackson West TE Florida State
Weston Wallace OL Georgia Southern
Jaden Hardy DL Grambling State
Jalen Emery DB Houston
Caleb McMickle QB Houston
Venson Sneed Jr. DE Indiana
Robby Harrison DL Indiana
Quincy Jenkins OL James Madison
Elin Jones DL Johnson C. Smith
Justin Wolf TE Kansas State
Elijah Williams OL Kent State
Devon Smith OL Louisiana–Monroe
Jayden Gray DE Louisiana Tech
Karsten Upchurch OL Mississippi State
Josaiah Knight DE Mississippi State
Mackavelli Malotumau DL Nevada
Eric Etienne DL Norfolk State
Kelby Williams WR Old Dominion
Markus Knight DB Old Dominion
Isaiah Myers WR Purdue
Dominic Oliver DE San Diego State
Zach Smith LB SMU
Braxton Myers DB Southern Miss
Rylen Su'a-Filo DL Southern Utah
Jaylen Lewis DB Temple
Jaden McGill RB Tennessee State
Brandon Buckhaulter WR UAB
Jack Cassidy K Ulster
John Cannon K USF
Caleb Nitta OL Virginia Tech
Matthew Henry WR Western Illinois
Quincy Burroughs WR Wisconsin

[1][2][3]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 236:00 p.m.Sam Houston
CBSSNW 41–2415,312
August 306:00 p.m.North Alabama*
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
ESPN+W 55–612,226
September 66:00 p.m.at Toledo*
ESPN+L 21–4524,138
September 206:00 p.m.Nevada*
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
ESPN+W 31–1617,247
September 276:00 p.m.at Missouri State
ESPN+W 27–2210,068
October 36:00 p.m.at Delaware
CBSSNW 27–2419,176
October 147:00 p.m.FIU
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
ESPNUL 6–2512,276
October 216:30 p.m.at Louisiana Tech
CBSSNW 28–27 OT10,928
November 12:30 p.m.New Mexico State
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
ESPN+W 35–1615,023
November 152:30 p.m.Middle Tennessee
ESPN+W 42–2616,547
November 226:45 p.m.at LSU*
SECNL 10–13100,923
November 291:00 p.m.at Jacksonville State
ESPN+L 34–3716,733
December 234:30 p.m.vs. Southern Miss*
ESPN

[4]

Game summaries

vs. Sam Houston

See also: 2025 Sam Houston Bearkats football team
Game One – Sam Houston Bearkats (0–0) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bearkats 3 7 14024
Hilltoppers 7 13 14741

at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY

  • Date: Saturday August 23, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 PM CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 84 °F (29 °C)
  • Game attendance: 15,312
  • Referee: Ron Hudson
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Chris Lewis (play-by-play), Robert Turbin (analyst), and Lauren Green (sideline reporter)
Game information
First quarter
  • (8:31) WKU - Matthew Henry 26-yd pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 87 yards, 2:31; Western Kentucky 7–0)
  • (4:32) SHSU - RJ Lopez 40-yd field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:56; Western Kentucky 7–3)
Second quarter
  • (12:24) SHSU - Hunter Watson 55-yd run (RJ Lopez kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 62 yards, 0:31; Sam Houston 10–7)
  • (7:06) WKU - La'Vell Wright 1-yd run (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 5:18; Western Kentucky 14–10)
  • (4:57) WKU - John Cannon 49-yd field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 0:56; Western Kentucky 17–10)
  • (0:24) WKU - John Cannon 42-yd field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 38 yards, 2:26; Western Kentucky 20–10)
Third quarter
  • (13:29) SHSU - Alton McCaskill 2-yd run (RJ Lopez kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:31; Western Kentucky 20–17)
  • (11:58) SHSU - JaMair Diaz 43-yd fumble return (RJ Lopez kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:26; Sam Houston 24–20)
  • (8:10) WKU - K.D. Hutchinson 9-yd pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 87 yards, 3:41; Western Kentucky 27–24)
  • (4:47) WKU - Marvis Parrish 22-yd pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 87 yards, 1:20; Western Kentucky 34–24)
Fourth quarter
  • (10:17) WKU - Maverick McIvor 4-yd run (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 81 yards, 2:17; Western Kentucky 41–24)
Statistics SHSU WKU
First downs 14 26
Total yards 382 506
Rushing yards 173 105
Passing yards 209 401
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19-30-1 33-51-0
Time of possession 27:04 32:56
Team Category Player Statistics
Sam Houston Passing Hunter Watson 19/30, 209 yards, INT
Rushing Hunter Watson 14 carries, 91 yards, TD
Receiving Elijah Green 7 receptions, 61 yards
Western Kentucky Passing Maverick McIvor 33/51, 401 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Marvis Parrish 12 carries, 52 yards
Receiving Matthew Henry 7 receptions, 148 yards, TD

vs. North Alabama (FCS)

See also: 2025 North Alabama Lions football team
Game Two – North Alabama Lions (FCS) (0–0) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 6 0 006
Hilltoppers (FBS) 14 28 31055

at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY

  • Date: Saturday August 30, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 PM CDT
  • Game weather: Weather: Sunny • Temp: 78 °F (26 °C)
  • Game attendance: 12,226
  • Referee: Douglas Mercer
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jesse Ough (play-by-play) and Terry Obee (analyst)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (11:58) WKU – George Hart III 1-yard run (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 13 yards, 1:55; WKU 7–0)
  • (5:58) UNA – Ian Vachon 25-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 5:54; WKU 7–3)
  • (5:58) UNA – Ian Vachon 47-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 2:50; WKU 7–6)
  • (11:58) WKU – Quincy Burroughs 9-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:00; WKU 14–6)
Second Quarter
  • (8:24) WKU – Jairus Mack 20-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:01; WKU 21–6)
  • (5:34) WKU – K.D. Hutchinson 78-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 1 play, 78 yards, 0:12; WKU 28–6)
  • (2:25) WKU – K.D. Hutchinson 12-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 1:46; WKU 35–6)
  • (0:48) WKU – Matthew Henry 14-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 0:59; WKU 42–6)
Third Quarter
  • (0:48) WKU – John Cannon 46-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 32 yards, 3:58; WKU 45–6)
Fourth Quarter
  • (14:50) WKU – Marvin Sims 14-yard pass from Rodney Tisdale Jr (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 0:18; WKU 52–6)
  • (6:30) WKU – John Cannon 43-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 5:18; WKU 55–6)
Statistics UNA WKU
First downs 17 26
Total yards 258 563
Rushing yards 153 164
Passing yards 105 399
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–37–0 30–39–0
Time of possession 32:21 27:39
Team Category Player Statistics
North Alabama Passing Ari Patu 11/20, 86 yards
Rushing Destin Wade 5 carries, 34 yards
Receiving Justin Pegues 5 receptions, 52 yards
Western Kentucky Passing Maverick McIvor 24/31, 305 yards, 5 TD
Rushing Jaden McGill 9 carries, 46 yards
Receiving K.D. Hutchinson 5 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TD

at Toledo

See also: 2025 Toledo Rockets football team
Game Three – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2–0) at Toledo Rockets (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 7 0 01421
Rockets 21 10 14045

at Glass Bowl • Toledo, OH

  • Date: Saturday September 6, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 PM CDT
  • Game attendance: 24,138
  • Referee: Jason Berg
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Je'Rod Cherry (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • TOL – Chip Trayanum 1-yard run (Dylan Cunanan kick), 12:57. Rockets 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 34 yards, 1:27.
  • TOL – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren 37-yard interception return (Dylan Cunanan kick), 11:52. Rockets 14–0.
  • WKU – Matthew Henry 7-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick), 6:48. Rockets 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 2:32.
  • TOL – Chip Trayanum 10-yard pas from Tucker Gleason (Dylan Cunanan kick), 2:34. Rockets 21–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:14.[
Second quarter
  • TOL – Dylan Cunanan 32-yard field goal, 11:50. Rockets 24–7. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 4:51.
  • TOL – Junior Vandeross III 71-yard pass from Tucker Gleason (Dylan Cunanan kick), 1:25. Rockets 31–7. Drive: 2 plays, 87 yards, 0:28.
Third quarter
  • TOL – Chip Trayanum 75-yard run (Dylan Cunanan kick), 14:49. Rockets 38–7. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:11.
  • TOL – Connor Jones 5-yard pass from John Alan Richter (Dylan Cunanan kick), 5:30. Rockets 45–7. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 6:32.
Fourth quarter
  • WKU – Jaden McGill 1-yard run (John Cannon kick), 13:08. Rockets 45–14. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:27.
  • WKU – Cameron Flowers II 11-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick), 6:26. Rockets 45–21. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 4:32.
Statistics WKU TOL
First downs 18 21
Total yards 333 508
Rushes–yards 28–59 42–307
Passing yards 274 201
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24–39–1 12–21–1
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 26:35 33:25
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Maverick McIvor 23/38, 235 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Marvis Parrish 7 carries, 22 yards
Receiving Moussa Barry 3 receptions, 110 yards
Toledo Passing Tucker Gleason 7/12, 155 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Chip Trayanum 14 carries, 163 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Junior Vandeross III 5 receptions, 122 yards, TD

vs. Nevada

See also: 2025 Nevada Wolf Pack football team
Game Four – Nevada Wolf Pack (1–2) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Wolf Pack 3 7 3316
Hilltoppers 3 0 72131

at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY

  • Date: Saturday September 20, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 17,247
  • Referee: Rodney Burnette
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Tyler Eaton (play-by-play) and Terry Obee (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (5:17) NEV - Joe McFadden 42-yd field goal Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 4:22; (Wolf Pack 3-0)
  • (2:16) WKU - John Cannon 40-yd field goal Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 3:01; (TIED 3-3)
Second quarter
  • (6:57) NEV - Chubba Purdy 6-yd run (Joe McFadden kick) Drive: 3 plays, 46 yards, 1:24; (Wolf Pack 10-3)
Third quarter
  • (11:08) WKU - La'Vell Wright 2-yd run (John Cannon kick) Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:52; (TIED 10-10)
  • (7:28) NEV - Joe McFadden 43-yd field goal Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 3:33; (Wolf Pack 13-10)
Fourth quarter
  • (11:23) WKU - George Hart III 8-yd run (John Cannon kick) Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 4:02; (Hilltoppers 17-13)
  • (1:49) WKU - La'Vell Wright 8-yd run (John Cannon kick) Drive: 14 plays, 87 yards, 5:34; (Hilltoppers 24-13)
  • (0:29) NEV - Joe McFadden 22-yd field goal Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 1:20; (Hilltoppers 24-16)
  • (0:23) WKU - Matthew Henry 48-yd kickoff return (John Cannon kick) (Hilltoppers 31-16)
Statistics NEV WKU
First downs 22 22
Total yards 372 361
Rushing yards 207 145
Passing yards 165 216
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–33–2 22–33–1
Time of possession 32:16 27:44
Team Category Player Statistics
Nevada Passing Chubba Purdy 16/30, 165 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Caleb Ramseur 9 carries, 66 yards
Receiving Jett Carpenter 6 receptions, 70 yards
Western Kentucky Passing Maverick McIvor 22/33, 216 yards, INT
Rushing George Hart III 11 carries, 63 yards, TD
Receiving Noah Meyers 6 receptions, 81 yards

at Missouri State

See also: 2025 Missouri State Bears football team
Game Five – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3–1) at Missouri State Bears (2–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 0 10 14327
Bears 0 9 7622

at Robert W. Plaster Stadium • Springfield, MO

  • Date: Saturday September 27, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Wind: W 4 mph
  • Game attendance: 10,068
  • Referee: Garrett Dickerson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Don West (play-by-play), Tom Mast (analyst) and Cierra Clark (sideline)
Game information
First quarter

No scoring plays

Second quarter
  • (14:55) MOST - Yousef Obeid 49-yd field goal Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 2:06; (Bears 3-0)
  • (13:56) WKU - Noah Meyers 39-yd pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:59; (Hilltoppers 7-3)
  • (8:43) WKU - John Cannon 26-yd field goal Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 3:48; (Hilltoppers 10-3)
  • (03:31) MOST - Yousef Obeid 22-yd field goal Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 5:12; (Hilltoppers 10-6)
  • (0:59) MOST - Yousef Obeid 19-yd field goal Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards, 1:12; (Hilltoppers 10-9)
Third quarter
  • (12:16) MOST - Shomari Lawrence 32-yd run (Yousef Obeid kick) Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:44; (Bears 16-10)
  • (6:29) WKU - La'Vell Wright 2-yd run (John Cannon kick) Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:47; (Hilltoppers 17-16)
  • (1:16) WKU - La'Vell Wright 17-yd run (John Cannon kick) Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:55; (Hilltoppers 24-16)
Fourth quarter
  • (12:21) WKU - John Cannon 19-yd field goal Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 2:27; (Hilltoppers 27-16)
  • (4:13) MOST - Tristian Gardner 9-yd pass from Deuce Bailey Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 4:30; (Hilltoppers 27-22)
Statistics WKU MOST
First downs 25 21
Total yards 476 414
Rushing yards 159 214
Passing yards 317 200
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 26–39–0 15–32–0
Time of possession 31:28 28:32
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Maverick McIvor 26/39, 317 yards, TD
Rushing La'Vell Wright 10 carries, 91 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Matthew Henry 5 receptions, 73 yards
Missouri State Passing Jacob Clark 8/15, 143 yards
Rushing Shomari Lawrence 16 carries, 78 yards, TD
Receiving Dash Luke 3 receptions, 71 yds

at Delaware

See also: 2025 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team
Game Six – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4–1) at Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (3–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 0 10 17027
Fightin' Blue Hens 7 10 0724

at Delaware Stadium • Newark, DE

  • Date: Friday October 3, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 19,179
  • Referee: Ron Hudson
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): John Sadak (play-by-play), Kyle Long (analyst) and Patrick Peterson (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (8:36) DEL – Nick Minicucci 2-yd run (Nate Reed kick). Fightin' Blue Hens 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 6:24.
Second quarter
  • (14:55) WKU – John Cannon 41-yard field goal. Fightin' Blue Hens 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:36.
  • (7:55) DEL – Nate Reed 23-yard field goal. Fightin' Blue Hens 10–3. Drive: 14 plays, 69 yards, 6:52.
  • (1:55) WKU – K.D. Hutchinson 5-yard run (John Cannon kick). Tied 10–10. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:00.
  • (0:00) DEL – Nick Minicucci 1-yd run (Nate Reed kick). Fightin' Blue Hens 17–10. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 1:47.
Third quarter
  • (8:01) WKU – John Cannon 43-yard field goal. Fightin' Blue Hens 17–13. Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 2:57.
  • (7:20) WKU – Koron Hayward 25-yard interception return (John Cannon kick). Hilltoppers 20–17.
  • (0:38) WKU – George Hart III 5-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick). Hilltoppers 27-17. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:09.
Fourth quarter
  • (9:54) DEL – Nick Minicucci 2-yard run (Nate Reed kick). Hilltoppers 27-24. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 5:44.
Statistics WKU DEL
First downs 16 27
Total yards 338 435
Rushing yards 108 121
Passing yards 230 314
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 23-31-0 28-46-1
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 27:26 32:34
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Maverick McIvor 23/31, 230 yds, TD
Rushing Maverick McIvor 6 rushes, 36 yards
Receiving Matthew Henry 4 receptions, 99 yards
Delaware Passing Nick Minicucci 28/45, 314 yds, INT
Rushing Nick Minicucci 12 rushes, 55 yards, 3 TD
Receiving 2 Tied 55 yards

vs. FIU

See also: 2025 FIU Panthers football team
Game Seven – FIU Panthers (2–3) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (5–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 6 13 6025
Hilltoppers 3 3 006

at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY

  • Date: Tuesday October 14, 2025
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 66 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 12,276
  • Referee: Douglas Mercer
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Chuckie Kempf (play-by-play) and Darius Walker (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (12:37) FIU – Noah Grant 37-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:23; FIU 3–0)
  • (7:37) FIU – Noah Grant 28-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 87 yards, 2:04; FIU 6–0)
  • (3:03) WKU – John Cannon 28-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 4:34; FIU 6–3)
Second quarter
  • (14:56) FIU – Noah Grant 37-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 2:59; FIU 9–3)
  • (7:57) FIU – Jackson Verdugo 8-yard pass from Keyone Jenkins, Noah Grant kick (Drive: 14 plays, 89 yards, 6:05; FIU 16–3)
  • (2:57) FIU – Noah Grant 51-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 5 yards, 3:15; FIU 19–3)
  • (0:00) WKU – Jack Cassidy 55-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 0:29; FIU 19–6)
Third quarter
  • (2:03) FIU – Kejon Owens 6-yard run (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:32; FIU 25–6)
Fourth quarter

No scoring plays

Statistics FIU WKU
First downs 21 18
Total yards 453 341
Rushing yards 249 116
Passing yards 204 225
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20–31–0 27–41–3
Time of possession 34:38 25:22
Team Category Player Statistics
FIU Passing Keyone Jenkins 17/25, 184 yards, TD
Rushing Kejon Owens 22 carries, 195 yards, TD
Receiving Alex Perry 3 receptions, 86 yards
Western Kentucky Passing Maverick McIvor 20/31, 159 yards, 3 INT
Rushing Mavis Parrish 9 carries, 74 yards
Receiving Matthew Henry 2 receptions, 58 yards

at Louisiana Tech

See also: 2025 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team
Game Eight – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (5–2) at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (4–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Hilltoppers 10 10 00828
Bulldogs 7 0 76727

at Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA

  • Date: Tuesday October 21, 2025
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Wind: SW 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 10,928
  • Referee: Reed Brotherton
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Jack Gordon (play-by-play) and Taylor McHargue (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:26) WKU – John Cannon 47-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 46 yards, 4:34; Western Kentucky 3–0)
  • (6:46) LT – Tre Averhart 6-yard pass from Blake Baker, John Hoyet Chance kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:40; Louisiana Tech 7–3)
  • (1:09) WKU – La'Vell Wright 15-yard pass from Rodney Tisdale Jr., John Cannon kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:37; Western Kentucky 10–7)
Second quarter
  • (10:41) WKU – George Hart III 1-yard run, John Cannon kick (Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:02; Western Kentucky 17–7)
  • (2:28) WKU – Jack Cassidy 53-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 3:44; Western Kentucky 20–7)
Third quarter
  • (14:45) LT – Devin Gandy 85-yard kickoff return, John Hoyet Chance kick (Western Kentucky 20–14)
Fourth quarter
  • (14:49) LT – John Hoyet Chance 24-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 59 yards, 4:36; Western Kentucky 20–17)
  • (6:20) LT – John Hoyet Chance 24-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 1:23; Tied 20–20)
Overtime
  • LT – Andrew Burnette 2-yard run, John Hoyet Chance kick (Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 0:00; Louisiana Tech 27–20)
  • WKU – George Hart III 4-yard run, Moussa Barry pass (Drive: 8 plays, 25 yards, 0:00; Western Kentucky 28–27)
Statistics WKU LT
First downs 21 24
Total yards 340 449
Rushing yards 113 109
Passing yards 227 340
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21–34–1 31–46–1
Time of possession 31:20 28:40
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Rodney Tisdale Jr. 21/34, 227 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Rodney Tisdale Jr. 12 carries, 73 yards
Receiving K. D. Hutchinson 6 receptions, 77 yards
Louisiana Tech Passing Blake Baker 31/45, 340 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Blake Baker 10 carries, 49 yards
Receiving Marlion Jackson 6 receptions, 103 yards

vs. New Mexico State

See also: 2025 New Mexico State Aggies football team
Game Nine – New Mexico State Aggies (3–4) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (6–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Aggies 0 0 000
Hilltoppers 0 0 000

at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY

  • Date: Saturday November 1, 2025
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
  • Referee: Garrett Dickerson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Tyler Eaton (play-by-play) and Terry Obee (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics NMSU WKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
New Mexico State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Kentucky Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Middle Tennessee (100 Miles of Hate)

See also: 2025 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team and 100 Miles of Hate
Game Ten – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0–0) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Blue Raiders 0 0 000
Hilltoppers 0 0 000

at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY

  • Date: Saturday November 15, 2025
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CST
  • Referee: Ron Hudson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Tyler Eaton (play-by-play) and Terry Obee (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics MTSU WKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Kentucky Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at LSU

See also: 2025 LSU Tigers football team
Game Eleven – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0–0) at LSU Tigers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 0 0 000
Tigers 0 0 000

at Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WKU LSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing
Rushing
Receiving
LSU Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Jacksonville State

See also: 2025 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team
Game Twelve – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0–0) at Jacksonville State Gamecocks (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 0 0 000
Gamecocks 0 0 000

at AmFirst Stadium • Jacksonville, AL

  • Date: Saturday November 29, 2025
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Referee: Garrett Dickerson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Eli Gold (play-by-play), Jeff Burger (analyst) and Taylor Korn (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WKU JVST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Jacksonville State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Southern Miss (New Orleans Bowl)

See also: 2025 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team and 2025 New Orleans Bowl
Game Thirteen – 2025 New Orleans Bowl - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-4) vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (7-5) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 0 0 000
Golden Eagles 0 0 000

at Caesars Superdome • New Orleans, LA

  • Date: December 23
  • Game time: 4:30 p.m. CST
  • Referee: Christian Watson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Courtney Lyle (play-by-play), Rene Ingoglia (analyst) and Ian Fitzsimmons (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WKU USM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern Miss Passing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. ^ "Western Kentucky Football Transfer Portal". ON3.
  2. ^ "Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 2025 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports.
  3. ^ "Hilltoppers Add 16 For 2025 Roster". ksuowls. May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  4. ^ "2025 WKU Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
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