Sam Houston at Western Kentucky Game Matchup
Sam Houston logo Sam Houston Bearkats at Western Kentucky HilltoppersWestern Kentucky logo
Saturday, August 23rd 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium - Bowling Green, KY  (Conference USA)

 
Bearkats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Head Coach Phil Longo
Avg Score : 24 - 21 (25 - 24 on Road)
Record Prediction: 2.9 - 9.1 (#79)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 9)
Our Line: Western Kentucky -7.5    (SP+ -6)
PPG only: SHSU: 24 - WKU: 23 (47)
SHSU Win prob: 49% | Cover: 49%
SHSU Travel: 677 miles
Hilltoppers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Head Coach Tyson Helton
Avg Score : 25 - 25 (26 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5.8 - 6.2 (#52)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 9)
 
Sam Houston's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResult
Sat 8/23 Sam Houston at Western Kentucky
Sat 8/30 Sam Houston vs UNLV
Sat 9/6 Sam Houston at Hawai'i
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Sam Houston at Texas
Thu 10/2 Sam Houston at New Mexico State
Thu 10/9 Sam Houston vs Jacksonville State
Wed 10/15 Sam Houston vs UTEP
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/28 Sam Houston at Louisiana Tech
Sat 11/8 Sam Houston at Oregon State
Sat 11/15 Sam Houston vs Delaware
Sat 11/22 Sam Houston at Middle Tennessee
Sat 11/29 Sam Houston vs Florida International
Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 7
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Western Kentucky's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResult
Sat 8/23 Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston
Sat 8/30 Western Kentucky vs North Alabama
Sat 9/6 Western Kentucky at Toledo
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Western Kentucky vs Nevada
Sat 9/27 Western Kentucky at Missouri State
Fri 10/3 Western Kentucky at Delaware
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/14 Western Kentucky vs Florida International
Tue 10/21 Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech
Sat 11/1 Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee
Sat 11/22 Western Kentucky at LSU
Sat 11/29 Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State
Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 9
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 9
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

SHSU's OC Zack Patterson vs WKU's DC Tyson Summers     WKU's OC Will Friend vs SHSU's DC Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
SHSU#115 (.1)39% (107)23.841% (101)3.18 (44)18038% (105)1682.97 (129)#31 (.11)42% (71)20.547% (105)37% (27)3.84 (75)37.91.22.1
WKU#66 (.19)42% (83)24.938% (117)2.78 (108)11045% (33)2653.83 (78)#95 (.21)45% (102)24.648% (113)40% (61)3.66 (54)41.31.71.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
SHSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
WKU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SHSU Offense1323.824.639.3%2.971.2193491801684.357%43%41%38%15%.1
WKU Defense1424.613.544.7%3.661.5 - - - - - 63%36%48%40%13%.21
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SHSU Defense1320.523.641.8%3.842.1 - - - - - 51%48%47%37%17%.11
WKU Offense1424.926.341.8%3.831.7193741102653.545%55%38%45%16%.19

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Sam Houston1332:1018.839%67%4.637.91.22.15.42.2230.4
Western Kentucky1427:5219.341%59%4.141.31.71.54.91.6029.7
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
SHSU Offense1357% (25)41% (101)42.5180.44.321 (59).1 (84)3.18 (44)68% (104)10% (70)0.9 (99)
WKU Defense1463% (134)48% (113) - - - - .19 (103)3.36 (116)77% (93)9% (88)0.9 (35)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
SHSU Defense1351% (76)47% (105) - - - - .17 (92)3.37 (119)75% (74)10% (56)0.83 (9)
WKU Offense1445% (104)38% (117)31.1109.73.514 (98).01 (121)2.78 (108)69% (100)11% (87)0.95 (77)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SHSU Offense1343% (113)38% (105)16.726.8168.26.310.115 (98)9 (48).13 (114)1.5 (106)30% (51)24% (126).13 (130)5% (46)2 (95)
WKU Defense1436% (1)40% (61) - - - - - - 10 (66).29 (99)1.8 (128)28% (116)29% (46).23 (37)3% (132)2.1 (92)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SHSU Defense1348% (57)37% (27) - - - - - - 16 (10).06 (6)1.4 (9)32% (58)25% (11).21 (32)6% (58)1.8 (12)
WKU Offense1455% (27)45% (33)22.133.5264.67.91228 (15)12 (85).36 (28)1.6 (59)33% (91)30% (92).29 (89)6% (55)1.9 (100)

Sam Houston's Power Ratings
Sam Houston's Power Rating: -25.11 #132
Sam Houston's Offense Rating: 1.88 #124
Sam Houston's Defense Rating: 26.99 #131
2025 Talent Rating: 358.00 #123
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #101
Sam Houston's 2025 Expected Record: 2.9 - 9.1
Sam Houston's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -13.5 #111
Sam Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 19.4 #117
Sam Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.9 #103

Sam Houston's SP+ Ratings
Sam Houston's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -13.5 #111
Sam Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 19.4 #117
Sam Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.9 #103

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 371.82
Average Power Five Talent: 862.84
Average FBS Talent: 688.93

Power Ratings Matchup
Sam Houston: -25.11   Western Kentucky: -17.38

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Sam Houston: -13.5   Western Kentucky: -7.6




Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: -17.38 #124
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 4.32 #118
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 23.70 #118
2025 Talent Rating: 438.00 #114
Blue Chip Ratio: 2 #82
Western Kentucky's 2025 Expected Record: 5.8 - 6.2

Western Kentucky's SP+ Ratings
Western Kentucky's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -7.6 #94
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 20.7 #108
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.3 #70

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 371.82
Average Power Five Talent: 862.84
Average FBS Talent: 688.93


Sam Houston Scoring
Offense: 23.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.6
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 23.6

Sam Houston's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Sam Houston 24.2
Western Kentucky 22.7

Projected Total Points: 47
Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 24.9 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.3
Defense: 24.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 13.5

Western Kentucky's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202410/16Sam Houston14Western Kentucky31Western KentuckySam Houston -1.5Western Kentucky55.0Under
202311/18Western Kentucky28Sam Houston23Western KentuckyWestern Kentucky -12.5Sam Houston52.0Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Western Kentucky210 Overs
Sam Houston012 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 10 - 20 - 20 - 0
Road Teams1 - 12 - 00 - 02 - 0

(#132) Sam Houston Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -25.11 #132
Offense Rating: 1.88 #124
Defense Rating: 26.99 #131
Overall SP+ Rating: -13.5 #111
Offense SP+ Rating: 19.4 #117
Defense SP+ Rating: 32.9 #103
Talent Rating: 358.00 #123
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #101
Expected Record: 2.9 - 9.1

Sam Houston     Ratings Matchup     Western Kentucky
Power #132
#124
Off #124
#118
Def #131
#118
Talent #123
#114
SP+ #111
#94
SP+ Off #117
#108
SP+ Def #103
#70

Previous Matchups
Western Kentucky beat Sam Houston last year (31-14)
Western Kentucky beat Sam Houston in 2023 (28-23)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: SHSU | WKU
Depth Chart: SHSU | WKU
Rosters: SHSU | WKU
(#124) Western Kentucky Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -17.38 #124
Offense Rating: 4.32 #118
Defense Rating: 23.70 #118
Overall SP+ Rating: -7.6 #94
Offense SP+ Rating: 20.7 #108
Defense SP+ Rating: 28.3 #70
Talent Rating: 438.00 #114
Blue Chip Ratio: 2 #82
Expected Record: 5.8 - 6.2





  
Sam Houston's OC Zack Patterson
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Hunter Watson15225360%15981186.3
Mabrey Mettauer11100%2002.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Hunter Watson15262374.146
Elijah Green2920156.951
Zach Hrbacek113303.017
Qua'Vez Humphreys32107.010
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Qua'Vez Humphreys18362420.167
Michael Phoenix II13205315.850
Jay Rockwell65008.318
Malik Phillips225012.513
Western Kentucky's OC Will Friend
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
George Hart III4420424.630
Jalen Hampton115705.214
K.D. Hutchinson85106.442
John Cannon117017.017
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jairus Mack19418022.059
K.D. Hutchinson26392315.174
Noah Meyers7123117.624
Kody Epps85416.817

Sam Houston's DC Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cecil Powell241001
Chatavies Johnson151000
Emon Allen122001
Matthew Aribisala51110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Aribisala51110
Cecil Powell241001
Qua'Vez Humphreys10000
Railyn Adams10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cecil Powell241001
AJ Edwards10001
Emon Allen122001
Western Kentucky's DC Tyson Summers
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Lewis432005
Kent Robinson334204
Braxton Myers312002
Anthony Brackenridge241020
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kent Robinson334204
Jayden Gray143211
Dominic Oliver152110
Jaylen Lewis432005
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Lewis432005
Kent Robinson334204
Braxton Myers312002