Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (@WKUFootball)
Tyson Helton (7th year) (48-31)
Record: 0 - 0 | Prediction: 5.8 - 6.2 (#52) | SOS: (#131)
Power (#109) | Off (#113) | Def (#94) | '25 Roster
Record: 0 - 0 | Prediction: 5.8 - 6.2 (#52) | SOS: (#131)
| Western Kentucky's 2025 Schedule | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | |
| 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 | ||||
Schedule Rating: -134.62 (#131)
Future 2026 Schedule
| Western Kentucky's 2024 Schedule | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | |
| Sat 8/31 | Western Kentucky at Alabama | +31.0 | 60.0 | L 0 - 63 | |
| Sat 9/7 | Western Kentucky vs Eastern Kentucky | -18.5 | 59.5 | W 31 - 0 | |
| Sat 9/14 | Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee | -10.5 | 53.5 | W 49 - 21 | |
| Sat 9/21 | Western Kentucky vs Toledo | +2.0 | 60.5 | W 26 - 21 | |
| Sat 9/28 | Western Kentucky at Boston College | +7.5 | 48.0 | L 20 - 21 | |
| BYE WEEK | |||||
| Thu 10/10 | Western Kentucky vs UTEP | -19.0 | 55.5 | W 44 - 17 | |
| Wed 10/16 | Western Kentucky at Sam Houston | +1.5 | 55.0 | W 31 - 14 | |
| BYE WEEK | |||||
| Wed 10/30 | Western Kentucky vs Kennesaw State | -24.0 | 49.0 | W 31 - 14 | |
| Sat 11/9 | Western Kentucky at New Mexico State | -18.0 | 53.5 | W 41 - 28 | |
| Sat 11/16 | Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech | -11.5 | 52.5 | L 7 - 12 | |
| Sat 11/23 | Western Kentucky at Liberty | +1.0 | 56.5 | L 21 - 38 | |
| Sat 11/30 | Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State | +0.5 | 62.5 | W 19 - 17 | |
| Fri 12/6 | Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State | +4.5 | 58.5 | L 12 - 52 | |
| Wed 12/18 | Western Kentucky vs James Madison | +7.5 | 50.5 | L 17 - 27 | |
2024 Record: 8 - 6 (7 - 7 - 0) (CUSA: 6 - 3)
2025 class: 152.76 points #95
2024 class: 140.12 points #110
2023 class: 53.93 points #130
2022 class: 129.60 points #94
2021 class: 49.62 points #136
Average Class Ranking: # #113
Average Recruiting Points: 105.21
2024 class: 140.12 points #110
2023 class: 53.93 points #130
2022 class: 129.60 points #94
2021 class: 49.62 points #136
Average Class Ranking: # #113
Average Recruiting Points: 105.21
Class Averages
Conference USA Class: 114.32 #113
Group of 5 Class: 134.77 #102
FBS Class: 179.02 #69
Conference USA Class: 114.32 #113
Group of 5 Class: 134.77 #102
FBS Class: 179.02 #69
2020 class: 157.37 points #80
2019 class: 153.89 points #86
2018 class: 154.77 points #84
2017 class: 138.03 points #82
2016 class: 124.10 points #101
Average Class Ranking: # #87
Average Recruiting Points: 145.63
2019 class: 153.89 points #86
2018 class: 154.77 points #84
2017 class: 138.03 points #82
2016 class: 124.10 points #101
Average Class Ranking: # #87
Average Recruiting Points: 145.63
| Player Name | COMP | ATT | PCT | YDS | TD | INT | YPA |
|---|
| Player Name | CAR | YDS | TD | YPC | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Hart III | 44 | 204 | 2 | 4.6 | 30 |
| Jalen Hampton | 11 | 57 | 0 | 5.2 | 14 |
| K.D. Hutchinson | 8 | 51 | 0 | 6.4 | 42 |
| John Cannon | 1 | 17 | 0 | 17.0 | 17 |
| Player Name | REC | YDS | TD | YPC | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairus Mack | 19 | 418 | 0 | 22.0 | 59 |
| K.D. Hutchinson | 26 | 392 | 3 | 15.1 | 74 |
| Noah Meyers | 7 | 123 | 1 | 17.6 | 24 |
| Kody Epps | 8 | 54 | 1 | 6.8 | 17 |
Returning Production
Overall Returning Production: 34% (#125)
Offense Returning Production: 36% (#116)
Defense Returning Production: 33% (#121)
Transfer Portal
2025 Portal Class (#70)
27 Commits, 83.9 Avg Rating
0% of 2025 Roster are from Transfer Portal
Team Talent
2025 Talent Rating: 438.00 (#114)
2024 (#116) | 2023 (#125) | 2022 (#81) | 2021 (#74)
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 371.82
Average Power Five Talent: 862.84
Average FBS Talent: 688.93
Overall Returning Production: 34% (#125)
Offense Returning Production: 36% (#116)
Defense Returning Production: 33% (#121)
Transfer Portal
2025 Portal Class (#70)
27 Commits, 83.9 Avg Rating
0% of 2025 Roster are from Transfer Portal
Team Talent
2025 Talent Rating: 438.00 (#114)
2024 (#116) | 2023 (#125) | 2022 (#81) | 2021 (#74)
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 371.82
Average Power Five Talent: 862.84
Average FBS Talent: 688.93
2025 Roster
High School: | JUCO:
Blue Chip Ratio: 0.02
Blue Chip Players:
High School: | JUCO:
Blue Chip Ratio: 0.02
Blue Chip Players:
2024 Roster
High School: | JUCO:
Blue Chip Ratio: 0
Blue Chip Players:
High School: | JUCO:
Blue Chip Ratio: 0
Blue Chip Players:
2023 Roster
High School: | JUCO:
Blue Chip Ratio: 0
Blue Chip Players:
High School: | JUCO:
Blue Chip Ratio: 0
Blue Chip Players:
2022 Roster
High School: | JUCO:
Blue Chip Ratio: 0
Blue Chip Players:
High School: | JUCO:
Blue Chip Ratio: 0
Blue Chip Players:
2025 - 2022 Records (vs Spread)
2025 Record: 0 - 0 (0 - 0 - 0)
2025 Conf Record: 0 - 0
2024 Record: 8 - 6 (7 - 7 - 0)
2024 Conf Record: 6 - 3
2023 Record: 8 - 5 (6 - 7 - 0)
2023 Conf Record: 5 - 3
2022 Record: 9 - 5 (9 - 5 - 0)
2022 Conf Record: 6 - 2
Four Year Record: 25 - 16
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 22 - 19 - 0
Four Year Conference Record: 17 - 8
2025 Record: 0 - 0 (0 - 0 - 0)
2025 Conf Record: 0 - 0
2024 Record: 8 - 6 (7 - 7 - 0)
2024 Conf Record: 6 - 3
2023 Record: 8 - 5 (6 - 7 - 0)
2023 Conf Record: 5 - 3
2022 Record: 9 - 5 (9 - 5 - 0)
2022 Conf Record: 6 - 2
Four Year Record: 25 - 16
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 22 - 19 - 0
Four Year Conference Record: 17 - 8
2021 - 2018 Records (vs Spread)
2021 Record: 9 - 5 (10 - 4 - 0)
2021 Conf Record: 0 - 0
2020 Record: 5 - 7 (3 - 9 - 0)
2020 Conf Record: 4 - 3
2019 Record: 9 - 4 (8 - 4 - 1)
2019 Conf Record: 6 - 2
2018 Record: 3 - 9 (6 - 6 - 0)
2018 Conf Record: 2 - 6
Eight Year Record: 51 - 41
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 49 - 42 - 1
Eight Year Conference Record: 42 - 21
2021 Record: 9 - 5 (10 - 4 - 0)
2021 Conf Record: 0 - 0
2020 Record: 5 - 7 (3 - 9 - 0)
2020 Conf Record: 4 - 3
2019 Record: 9 - 4 (8 - 4 - 1)
2019 Conf Record: 6 - 2
2018 Record: 3 - 9 (6 - 6 - 0)
2018 Conf Record: 2 - 6
Eight Year Record: 51 - 41
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 49 - 42 - 1
Eight Year Conference Record: 42 - 21
| Western Kentucky Recent Bowl History | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Bowl | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result |
| 2024 | Raton Bowl | Western Kentucky vs James Madison | +7.5 | 50.5 | L 17 - 27 |
| 2023 | Toastery Bowl | Western Kentucky vs Old Dominion | +4.0 | 49.0 | W 38 - 35 |
| 2022 | Orleans Bowl | Western Kentucky vs South Alabama | +4.0 | 58.0 | W 44 - 23 |
| 2021 | Raton Bowl | Western Kentucky vs App State | +3.0 | 67.0 | W 59 - 38 |
| 2020 | Lendingtree Bowl | Western Kentucky vs Georgia State | +3.5 | 50.5 | L 21 - 39 |
| 2019 | Responder Bowl | Western Kentucky vs Western Michigan | -3.0 | 56.0 | W 23 - 20 |
| 2017 | Cure Bowl | Western Kentucky vs Georgia State | +5.0 | 54.5 | L 17 - 27 |
| 2016 | Raton Bowl | Western Kentucky vs Memphis | -6.5 | 79.0 | W 51 - 31 |
| 2015 | Beach Bowl | Western Kentucky vs South Florida | -3.0 | W 45 - 35 | |
WKU's OC Will Friend - DC Tyson Summers
Power Ranking Stats (2024)
More Stats (2024)
Overall Stats (2024)
Run Game Stats (2024)
Pass Game Stats (2024)
Power Ranking Stats (2024)
| Teams | Offense PPA | Offense Success | Offense Pts Per Opp | Avg Start FP | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Defense PPA | Defense Success | Defense Pts Per Opp | Opponent FP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | .19 (66) | 42% (83) | 3.83 (78) | 29.7 (56) | 41% | 59% | .21 (95) | 45% (102) | 3.66 (54) | 28.6 (58) |
| Teams | Offense PPA | Offense Success | Offense Pts Per Opp | Avg Start FP | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Defense PPA | Defense Success | Defense Pts Per Opp | Opponent FP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | .22 (47) | 40% (92) | 4.95 (6) | 28.2 (104) | 43% | 62% | .2 (81) | 44% (98) | 4 (87) | 28.9 (68) |
More Stats (2024)
| Teams | Games | Possession Time | 1st Downs PG | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Penalties PG | Penalty Yds PG | Off TO PG | Def TO PG | TFL PG | Sacks PG | D/ST TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 27:52 (31) | 19.3 (39) | 41% | 59% | 4.1 (16) | 41.3 (44) | 1.7 (126) | 1.5 | 4.9 (54) | 1.6 (75) | 0 |
| Teams | Games | Possession Time | 1st Downs PG | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Penalties PG | Penalty Yds PG | Off TO PG | Def TO PG | TFL PG | Sacks PG | D/ST TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 | 29:32 (58) | 20.2 (61) | 43% | 62% | 4.5 (17) | 36.8 (12) | 1.8 (119) | 1.8 | 4.4 (105) | 2 (56) | 1 |
Overall Stats (2024)
| Teams | Games | PPG | Home | Road | Success Rate | Pts PerOpp | TO | 1stD PG | TotalYds PG | RushYds PG | PassYdsPG | RYPA | Run Rate | Pass Rate | Run Success | Pass Success | Havoc Rate | Total PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 14 | 24.9 | 26.3 | 24.9 | 41.8% (83) | 3.83 (78) | 1.7 | 19 | 374 | 110 | 265 | 3.5 | 45% (104) | 55% (27) | 38% (117) | 45% (33) | 16% (74) | .19 (66) |
| 2024 Defense | 14 | 24.6 | 13.5 | 33.9 | 44.7% (102) | 3.66 (54) | 1.5 | - | - | - | - | - | 63% (134) | 36% (1) | 48% (113) | 40% (61) | 13% (122) | .21 (95) |
| Teams | Games | PPG | Home | Road | Success Rate | Pts PerOpp | TO | 1stD PG | TotalYds PG | RushYds PG | PassYdsPG | RYPA | Run Rate | Pass Rate | Run Success | Pass Success | Havoc Rate | Total PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Offense | 13 | 30.5 | 35 | 24.7 | 40% (92) | 4.95 (6) | 1.8 | 20 | 402 | 107 | 295 | 3.9 | 38% (128) | 61% (6) | 38% (119) | 41% (70) | 16% (74) | .22 (47) |
| 2023 Defense | 13 | 28.7 | 26.5 | 29.8 | 44% (98) | 4 (87) | 1.8 | - | - | - | - | - | 52% (94) | 47% (37) | 48% (121) | 41% (53) | 14% (114) | .2 (81) |
Run Game Stats (2024)
| Teams | Games | Run Play Rate | Run Play Success | Rush Att PG | Rush Yds PG | Rush Yds Per Att | Rushing TDs | Run Pred Pts Added | OL Yds Per Att | 3rd/4th & Short | Front 7 Havoc | Run Play Explosivness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 14 | 45% (104) | 38% (117) | 31.1 | 109.7 | 3.5 | 14 (98) | .01 (121) | 2.78 (108) | 69% (100) | 11% (87) | 0.95 (77) |
| 2024 Defense | 14 | 63% (134) | 48% (113) | - | - | - | - | .19 (103) | 3.36 (116) | 77% (93) | 9% (88) | 0.9 (35) |
| Teams | Games | Run Play Rate | Run Play Success | Rush Att PG | Rush Yds PG | Rush Yds Per Att | Rushing TDs | Run Pred Pts Added | OL Yds Per Att | 3rd/4th & Short | Front 7 Havoc | Run Play Explosivness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Offense | 13 | 38% (128) | 38% (119) | 27.5 | 106.6 | 3.9 | 12 (116) | .06 (117) | 3.07 (78) | 76% (45) | 8% (23) | 0.93 (99) |
| 2023 Defense | 13 | 52% (94) | 48% (121) | - | - | - | - | .19 (98) | 3.47 (125) | 73% (65) | 9% (109) | 0.96 (45) |
Pass Game Stats (2024)
| Teams | Games | PassPlay Rate | PassPlay Success | Comp PG | Att PG | Yds PG | Yds PA | Yds PC | TDs | Ints | PassPlays PPA | PassPlays Expl | PassDowns Rate | PassDowns Succ Rate | PassDowns PPA | DB Havoc | PassDowns Expl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 14 | 55% (27) | 45% (33) | 22.1 | 33.5 | 264.6 | 7.9 | 12 | 28 (15) | 12 (85) | .36 (28) | 1.6 (59) | 33% (91) | 30% (92) | .29 (89) | 6% (55) | 1.9 (100) |
| 2024 Defense | 14 | 36% (1) | 40% (61) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 10 (66) | .29 (99) | 1.8 (128) | 28% (116) | 29% (46) | .23 (37) | 3% (132) | 2.1 (92) |
| Teams | Games | PassPlay Rate | PassPlay Success | Comp PG | Att PG | Yds PG | Yds PA | Yds PC | TDs | Ints | PassPlays PPA | PassPlays Expl | PassDowns Rate | PassDowns Succ Rate | PassDowns PPA | DB Havoc | PassDowns Expl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Offense | 13 | 61% (6) | 41% (70) | 26.4 | 41.5 | 295.2 | 7.1 | 11.2 | 38 (3) | 14 (107) | .35 (42) | 1.7 (29) | 33% (90) | 31% (69) | .39 (46) | 9% (128) | 2.4 (4) |
| 2023 Defense | 13 | 47% (37) | 41% (53) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 15 (15) | .27 (64) | 1.6 (69) | 31% (80) | 32% (99) | .37 (97) | 6% (81) | 1.9 (26) |
Team Notes
Injury Notes
Staff/Schedule Notes
Power Ratings Overall: -19.38 #124
Offense: 4.32 #118
Defense: 23.70 #118
SP+ Overall: -7.6 #94
SP+ Offense: 20.7 #108
SP+ Defense: 28.3 #70
Offense: 4.32 #118
Defense: 23.70 #118
SP+ Overall: -7.6 #94
SP+ Offense: 20.7 #108
SP+ Defense: 28.3 #70
Returning Prod WKU lost their '24 starting QB (5%) #121
OL Starters back: 0, Prod: 13% #124
Rush Prod: 20% #121 | Rec Prod: 27% #107
Returning Production: 34% #125
Offense: 36% #116 | Defense: 33% #121
Front 7 Back: 18% - Secondary: 49%
OL Starters back: 0, Prod: 13% #124
Rush Prod: 20% #121 | Rec Prod: 27% #107
Returning Production: 34% #125
Offense: 36% #116 | Defense: 33% #121
Front 7 Back: 18% - Secondary: 49%
Roster Team Talent #114 Blue Chips: 2% #82
Offense Talent #113 Defense Talent #110
Crootin: Class #95 4 YR Rank #113
Portal Class #70 27 players, 84 Avg
43% of Roster from Portal, 44% TY
40 New Players, 63% of '25 Roster #114
Offense Talent #113 Defense Talent #110
Crootin: Class #95 4 YR Rank #113
Portal Class #70 27 players, 84 Avg
43% of Roster from Portal, 44% TY
40 New Players, 63% of '25 Roster #114
2025 Schedule Record Prediction: 5.8 - 6.2 #52
Schedule Rating: -134.62 #131
View WKU's 2025 Predicted Schedule Results
Opps: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 2, Bad: 0, Poor: 9
Schedule Rating: -134.62 #131
View WKU's 2025 Predicted Schedule Results
Opps: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 2, Bad: 0, Poor: 9
Scoring Scoring: 24.9 - 24.6 (31 - 29 LY)
Scoring at Home: 26 - 14 | Road: 25 - 34
OC: Will Friend - in his second season
DC: Tyson Summers - been DC for 3 years
Scoring at Home: 26 - 14 | Road: 25 - 34
OC: Will Friend - in his second season
DC: Tyson Summers - been DC for 3 years
Records 2024 Record: 8 - 6 (7 - 7 - 0) (CUSA: 6 - 3)
2023 Record: 8 - 5 (6 - 7 - 0) (CUSA: 5 - 3)
2022 Record: 9 - 5 (9 - 5 - 0) (CUSA: 6 - 2)
4 Yr Record: 25 - 16 | 8 Yr Record: 51 - 41)
2023 Record: 8 - 5 (6 - 7 - 0) (CUSA: 5 - 3)
2022 Record: 9 - 5 (9 - 5 - 0) (CUSA: 6 - 2)
4 Yr Record: 25 - 16 | 8 Yr Record: 51 - 41)