2024 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

2024 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
2024 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
Conference	Conference USA
Record	7–2 (5–0 C-USA)
Head coach	Tyson Helton (6th season);
Offensive coordinator	Will Friend (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinator	Drew Hollingshead (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Air raid
Defensive coordinator	Tyson Summers (3rd season)
Base defense	3–3–5
Home stadium	Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
	Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

2024 Conference USA football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Western Kentucky	5	–	0	7	–	2
Jacksonville State	5	–	0	6	–	3
Sam Houston	4	–	1	7	–	2
Liberty	4	–	2	6	–	2
FIU	2	–	3	3	–	6
Louisiana Tech	2	–	4	3	–	6
Middle Tennessee	2	–	4	3	–	7
UTEP	2	–	5	2	–	8
Kennesaw State*	1	–	4	1	–	8
New Mexico State	1	–	5	2	–	7
Championship: December 6, 2024
$ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules As of November 10, 2024 Rankings from AP Poll

The 2024 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team will represent Western Kentucky University in Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hilltoppers are led by Tyson Helton in his sixth year as the head coach. The Hilltoppers will play home games at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium, located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.^[1]

Preseason

C-USA media poll

The Conference USA preseason media poll was released on July 19. The Hilltoppers were predicted to finish second in the conference.^[2]

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
Media poll
1	Liberty	197 (18)
2	Western Kentucky	173 (2)
3	Jacksonville State	166
4	Middle Tennessee	98
5	New Mexico State	97
5	Sam Houston	97
7	Louisiana Tech	88
8	FIU	81
9	UTEP	76
10	Kennesaw State	27

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	6:00 p.m.	at No. 5 Alabama*	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	ESPN	L 0–63	100,077
September 7	6:00 p.m.	Eastern Kentucky*	Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY (Battle of the Bluegrass)	ESPN+	W 31–0	16,712
September 14	6:00 p.m.	at Middle Tennessee	Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium Murfreesboro, TN (100 Miles of Hate)	ESPN+	W 49–21	12,227
September 21	6:00 p.m.	Toledo*	Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY	ESPN+	W 26–21	19,127
September 28	11:00 a.m.	at Boston College*	Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA	ACCN	L 20–21	41,403
October 10	7:00 p.m.	UTEP	Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY	ESPNU	W 44–17	12,723
October 16	7:00 p.m.	at Sam Houston	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN2	W 31–14	8,914
October 30	6:30 p.m.	Kennesaw State	Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY	ESPN2	W 31–14	14,547
November 9	5:00 p.m.	at New Mexico State	Aggie Memorial Stadium Las Cruces, NM	ESPN+	W 41–28
November 16	11:00 a.m.	Louisiana Tech	Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY	CBSSN
November 23	12:00 p.m.	at Liberty	Williams Stadium Lynchburg, VA	ESPN Networks
November 30	2:30 p.m.	Jacksonville State	Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY	ESPN Networks
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

^[3]

Game summaries

at No. 5 Alabama

Game One – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0-0) at No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Hilltoppers	0	0	0	0	0
No. 5 Crimson Tide	21	21	14	7	63

at Bryant-Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL

Date: Saturday August 31st, 2024
Game time: 7:00 PM EST
Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C), Wind SE @ 3 mph
Game attendance: 100,077
Referee: Matt Loeffler
TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), and Taylor McGregor (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

(10:07) ALA – Jalen Milroe 12-yard run (Graham Nicholson kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:41; Alabama 7-0)
(5:01) ALA – Kendrick Law 22-yard pass from Jalen Milroe (Graham Nicholson kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 1:31; Alabama 14-0)
(2:27) ALA – Ryan Williams 84-yard pass from Jalen Milroe (Graham Nicholson kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 81 yards, 1:19; Alabama 21-0)

Second quarter

(12:35) ALA – Jam Miller 39-yard run (Graham Nicholson kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 1:14; Alabama 28-0)
(2:53) ALA – Justice Haynes 85-yard run (Graham Nicholson kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 96 yards, 0:33; Alabama 35-0)
(1:30) ALA – Ryan Williams 55-yard pass from Jalen Milroe (Graham Nicholson kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 55 yards, 0:15; Alabama 42-0)

Third quarter

(6:30) ALA – Jalen Milroe 21-yard run (Graham Nicholson kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:10; Alabama 49-0)
(2:51) ALA – Daniel Hill 2-yard run (Conor Talty kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 2:47; Alabama 56-0)

Fourth quarter

(10:04) ALA – Ty Simpson 15-yard run (Conor Talty kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 3:58; Alabama 63-0)

Statistics	WKU	ALA
First downs	10	25
Total yards	67–145	65–600
Rushing yards	27–42	47–334
Passing yards	103	266
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	22–40–2	12–18–0
Time of possession	29:25	30:35

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Kentucky	Passing	TJ Finley	18/31, 92 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Elijah Young	10 carries, 18 yards
	Receiving	Moussa Barry	4 receptions, 27 yards
Alabama	Passing	Jalen Milroe	7/9, 200 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Justice Haynes	4 carries, 102 yards, TD
	Receiving	Ryan Williams	4 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TD

vs. Eastern Kentucky (FCS) (Battle of the Bluegrass)

Game Two – Eastern Kentucky Colonels (FCS) (0–1) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colonels (FCS)	0	0	0	0	0
Hilltoppers	10	7	0	14	31

at Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, Kentucky

Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
Game attendance: 16,712
Referee: Reed Brotherton
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information

First quarter

WKU – Lucas Carniero 29-yard field goal, 12:11. Western Kentucky 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 2:49.
WKU – Elijah Young 1-yard run (Lucas Carniero kick), 0:22. Western Kentucky 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 22 yards, 1:00.

Second quarter

WKU – L.T. Sanders 2-yard run (Lucas Carniero kick), 3:41. Western Kentucky 17–0. Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards, 3:29.

Third quarter

No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

WKU – Elijah Young 9-yard run (Lucas Carniero kick), 7:07. Western Kentucky 24–0. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:20.
WKU – Dalvin Smith 12-yard pass from TJ Finley (Lucas Carniero kick), 2:38. Western Kentucky 31–0. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 2:19.

Statistics	EKU	WKU
First downs	13	25
Total yards	266	467
Rushing yards	190	116
Passing yards	76	351
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	11–20–0	27–39–0
Time of possession	34:10	25:50

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Kentucky	Passing	Matt Morrissey	9/17, 70 yards
	Rushing	Joshua Carter	19 rushes, 100 yards
	Receiving	Marcus Calwise Jr.	4 receptions, 24 yards
Western Kentucky	Passing	TJ Finley	27/39, 351 yards, TD
	Rushing	Elijah Young	13 rushes, 52 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Kisean Johnson	6 receptions, 119 yards

at Middle Tennessee (100 Miles of Hate)

Game Three – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1–1) at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Hilltoppers	14	7	21	7	49
Blue Raiders	0	0	14	7	21

at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium, Murfreesboro, TN

Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 84 °F (29 °C)
Game attendance: 12,227
Referee: Douglas Mercer
TV: ESPN+
Box Score

Game information

First quarter

WKU – River Helms 4-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carniero kick), 4:37. Western Kentucky 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 5:17.
WKU – Kisean Johnson 6-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carniero kick), 1:05. Western Kentucky 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:58.

Second quarter

WKU – Easton Messer 10-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carniero kick), 0:18. Western Kentucky 21–0. Drive: 11 plays, 99 yards, 2:54.

Third quarter

WKU – K.D. Hutchinson 72-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carniero kick), 14:07. Western Kentucky 28–0. Drive: 2 plays, 69 yards, 0:47.
MTSU – Omari Kelly 37-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick), 10:12. Western Kentucky 28–7. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:51.
WKU – Caden Veltkamp 1-yard run (Lucas Carniero kick), 6:38. Western Kentucky 35–7. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 3:24.
MTSU – Omari Kelly 71-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick), 6:17. Western Kentucky 35–14. Drive: 1 play, 71 yards, 0:13.
WKU – Kisean Johnson 36-yard pass from Dalvin Smith (Lucas Carniero kick), 3:28. Western Kentucky 42–14. Drive: 6 plays, 85 yards, 2:46.

Fourth quarter

WKU – Trevor Borland 3-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carniero kick), 9:01. Western Kentucky 49–14. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 3:53.
MTSU – Omari Kelly 7-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick), 5:47. Western Kentucky 49–21. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 3:06.

Statistics	WKU	MTSU
First downs	30	21
Total yards	631	514
Rushing yards	150	58
Passing yards	481	456
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	31–37–0	24–31–1
Time of possession	31:22	28:38

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Kentucky	Passing	Caden Veltkamp	27/30, 398 yds, 5 TD
	Rushing	L.T. Sanders	8 rushes, 54 yds
	Receiving	Kisean Johnson	8 receptions, 129 yds, 2 TD
Middle Tennessee	Passing	Nicholas Vattiato	24/31, 456 yds, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Nicholas Vattiato	9 rushes, 21 yds
	Receiving	Omari Kelly	9 receptions, 239 yds, 3 TD

vs. Toledo

Game Four – Toledo Rockets (3–0) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rockets	0	14	7	0	21
Hilltoppers	0	7	5	14	26

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

Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 19,127
Referee: Rodney Burnette
TV: ESPN+
Box Score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

TOL – Tucker Gleason 1-yard run (Dylan Cunanan kick), 13:18. Toledo 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 5:33.
TOL – Anthony Torres 14-yard pass from Tucker Gleason (Dylan Cunanan kick), 2:30. Toledo 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 43 yards, 4:55.
WKU – Kisean Johnson 44-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carniero kick), 1:53. Toledo 14–7. Drive: 2 plays, 63 yards, 0:29.

Third quarter

WKU – Lucas Carniero 39-yard field goal, 13:12. Toledo 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:53.
TOL – Anthony Torres 7-yard pass from Tucker Gleason (Dylan Cunanan kick), 8:13. Toledo 21–10. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 4:42.
WKU – Devon Lynch 0-yard safety, 0:39. Toledo 21–12.

Fourth quarter

WKU – Caden Veltkamp 7-yard run (Lucas Carniero kick), 10:43. Toledo 21–19. Drive: 3 plays, 49 yards, 0:47.
WKU – Caden Veltkamp 3-yard run (Lucas Carniero kick), 5:16. Western Kentucky 26–21. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:25.

Statistics	TOL	WKU
First downs	17	16
Total yards	325	313
Rushing yards	125	71
Passing yards	200	242
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	19–33–2	20–30–2
Time of possession	34:19	26:22

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Toledo	Passing	Tucker Gleason	19/33, 200 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Tucker Gleason	12 rushes, 46 yds, TD
	Receiving	Jacquez Stuart	3 receptions, 93 yds
Western Kentucky	Passing	Caden Veltkamp	20/30, 242 yds, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Elijah Young	9 rushes, 36 yds
	Receiving	Kisean Johnson	6 receptions, 73 yds, TD

at Boston College

Game Five – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3–1) at Boston College Eagles (3–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Hilltoppers	7	10	3	0	20
Eagles	0	7	0	14	21

at Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA

Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
Game time: 11:00 a.m.
Game weather: Cloudy
Game attendance: 41,403
Referee: Ron Hudson
TV announcers (ACCN): Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst) and Morgan Uber (sideline)
Box Score

Game information

First quarter

WKU – Kisean Johnson 3-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carniero kick), 3:05. Western Kentucky 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 3:46.

Second quarter

WKU – Easton Messer 7-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carniero kick), 12:01. Western Kentucky 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:51.
BC – Kye Robichaux 3-yard run (Liam Connor kick), 2:08. Western Kentucky 14–7. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 5:59.
WKU – Lucas Carniero 22-yard field goal, 0:00. Western Kentucky 17–7. Drive: 12 plays, 71 yards, 2:08.

Third quarter

WKU – Lucas Carniero 35-yard field goal, 8:44. Western Kentucky 20–7. Drive: 12 plays, 36 yards, 5:05.

Fourth quarter

BC – Grayson James 1-yard run (Liam Connor kick), 11:36. Western Kentucky 20–14. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:43.
BC – Jerand Bradley 8-yard pass from Grayson James (Liam Connor kick), 3:33. Boston College 21–20. Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 2:50.

Statistics	WKU	BC
First downs	20	19
Total yards	355	279
Rushing yards	123	111
Passing yards	232	168
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	25–39–2	19–32–1
Time of possession	30:40	29:20

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Kentucky	Passing	Caden Veltkamp	25/39, 232 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Elijah Young	21 rushes, 85 yds
	Receiving	River Helms	4 receptions, 72 yds
Boston College	Passing	Grayson James	19/32, 168 yds, TD, INT
	Rushing	Kye Robichaux	18 rushes, 81 yds, TD
	Receiving	Jaeden Skeete	4 receptions, 55 yds

vs. UTEP

Game Six – UTEP Miners (0–5) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Miners	7	0	10	0	17
Hilltoppers	14	13	7	10	44

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

Date: Thursday October 10, 2024
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 12,723
Referee: Reed Brotherton
TV announcers (ESPNU): Mike Corey (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
Box Score

Game information

First quarter

WKU – Dalvin Smith 30-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carniero kick), 7:40. Western Kentucky 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:38.
UTEP – Kenny Odom 76-yard pass from Cade McConnell (Buzz Flabiano kick), 7:02. Tied 7–7. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:33.
WKU – Michael Mathison 12-yard run (Lucas Carneiro kick), 2:18. Western Kentucky 14–7. Drive: 1 play, 12 yards, 0:05.

Second quarter

WKU – Lucas Carneiro 25-yard field goal, 10:55. Western Kentucky 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 4:34.
WKU – Caden Veltkam 2-yard run (Lucas Carneiro kick), 5:32. Western Kentucky 24–7. Drive: 10 plays, 43 yards, 3:43.
WKU – Lucas Carneiro 42-yard field goal, 0:00. Western Kentucky 27–7. Drive: 12 plays, 23 yards, 2:53.

Third quarter

UTEP – Corey Wren 100-yard kickoff return (Buzz Flabiano kick), 14:47. Western Kentucky 27–14.
UTEP – Buzz Flabiano 42-yard field goal, 5:29. Western Kentucky 27–17. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 5:36.
WKU – Michael Mathison 14-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carneiro kick), 4:32. Western Kentucky 34–17. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:57.

Fourth quarter

WKU – Michael Mathison 3-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp (Lucas Carneiro kick), 12:27. Western Kentucky 41–17. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:33.
WKU – Lucas Carneiro 54-yard field goal, 4:49. Western Kentucky 44–17. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 3:32.

Statistics	UTEP	WKU
First downs	18	20
Total yards	330	482
Rushing yards	152	218
Passing yards	178	264
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	14–24–1	18–27–1
Time of possession	30:23	29:37

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UTEP	Passing	Cade McConnell	3/7, 96 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Ezell Jolly	27 carries, 119 yards
	Receiving	Kenny Odom	1 reception, 76 yards, TD
Western Kentucky	Passing	Caden Veltkamp	18/27, 264 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Elijah Young	16 carries, 60 yards
	Receiving	Easton Messer	6 receptions, 106 yards

at Sam Houston

Game Seven – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4–2) at Sam Houston Bearkats (5–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Hilltoppers	7	10	0	14	31
Bearkats	0	14	0	0	14

at Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, TX

Date: Wednesday October 16, 2024
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C) • Wind: NE 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
Game attendance: 8,914
Referee: Roy Bernard
TV announcers (ESPN2): Lowell Galindo (play-by-play) and Fozzy Whittaker (analyst)

Game information

First quarter

(12:20) WKU – River Helms 17-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:40; Western Kentucky 7–0)

Second quarter

(14:50) SAM – Simeon Evans 37-yard pass from Hunter Watson, Christian Pavon kick (Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 3:03; Tied 7–7)
(10:41) WKU – Lucas Carneiro 51-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 32 yards, 4:09; Western Kentucky 10–7)
(8:46) SAM – Michael Phoenix II 50-yard pass from Hunter Watson, Christian Pavon kick (Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 1:47; Sam Houston 14–10)
(2:59) WKU – Elijah Young 11-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 5:47; Western Kentucky 17–14)

Third quarter

No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

(11:45) WKU – K.D. Hutchinson 74-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:20; Western Kentucky 24–14)
(9:31) WKU – Caden Veltkamp 19-yard run, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 0:43; Western Kentucky 31–14)

Statistics	WKU	SHSU
First downs	23	22
Total yards	411	400
Rushing yards	130	165
Passing yards	281	235
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	29:45	30:15

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Kentucky	Passing	Caden Veltkamp	20/29, 281 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Elijah Young	23 carries, 97 yards
	Receiving	K. D. Hutchinson	3 receptions, 88 yards, TD
Sam Houston	Passing	Hunter Watson	6/9, 128 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Jase Bauer	11 carries, 41 yards
	Receiving	Simeon Evans	5 receptions, 59 yards, TD

Kennesaw State

Game Eight – Kennesaw State Owls (1–6) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (5–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Owls	7	0	0	7	14
Hilltoppers	21	3	0	7	31

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

Date: Wednesday October 30, 2024
Game time: 6:30 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 14,547
Referee: Garrett Dickerson
TV announcers (ESPN2): Clay Matvick (play-by-play) and Steve Addazio (analyst)

Game information

First quarter

(11:54) WKU – Trevor Borland 5 yard pass from Caden Veltkamp, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 3:01; WKU 7–0)
(5:28) KENN – Michael Benefield 37 yard run, Austin Welch kick (Drive: 3 plays, 44 yards, 1:18; TIE 7–7)
(3:16) WKU – Easton Messer 64 yard pass from Caden Veltkamp, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:12; WKU 14–7)
(0:00) WKU – George Hart III 30 yard run, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:12; WKU 21–7)

Second quarter

(3:46) WKU – Lucas Carneiro 32 yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 5:45; WKU 24–7)

Third quarter

No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

(12:26) WKU – Noah Meyers 17 yard pass from Caden Veltkamp, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 5 plays, 81 yards, 0:47; WKU 31–7)
(5:19) KENN – Davis Bryson 20 yard run, Austin Welch kick (Drive: 14 plays, 82 yards, 2:13; WKU 31–14)

Statistics	KENN	WKU
First downs	18	24
Total yards	272	467
Rushing yards	176	191
Passing yards	96	276
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	13–26–1	17–22–0
Time of possession	32:54	27:06

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kennesaw State	Passing	Davis Bryson	13/26, 96 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Michael Benefield	16 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Carson Kent	3 receptions, 34 yards
Western Kentucky	Passing	Caden Veltkamp	17/22, 276 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Elijah Young	15 carries, 114 yards
	Receiving	Easton Messer	2 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD

at New Mexico State

Game Nine – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (6–2) at New Mexico State Aggies (2–6) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Hilltoppers	0	0	0	0	0
Aggies	0	0	0	0	0

at Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, NM

Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
Game time: 5:00 p.m. EST
TV announcers (ESPN+): Adam Young (play-by-play) and Danny Knee (analyst)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	WKU	NMSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Kentucky	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
New Mexico State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Louisiana Tech

Game Ten – Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (0–0) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0
Hilltoppers	0	0	0	0	0

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

Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
Game time: 11:00 a.m. EST
TV: CBSSN

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	LT	WKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Louisiana Tech	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Western Kentucky	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Liberty

Game Eleven – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0–0) at Liberty Flames (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Hilltoppers	0	0	0	0	0
Flames	0	0	0	0	0

at Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, VA

Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	WKU	LIB
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Kentucky	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Liberty	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Jacksonville State

Game Twelve – Jacksonville State Gamecocks (0–0) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamecocks	0	0	0	0	0
Hilltoppers	0	0	0	0	0

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

Date: Saturday November 30, 2024
Game time: 2:30 p.m. EST

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	JVST	WKU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Jacksonville State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Western Kentucky	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

^ "2023 Football Coaching Staff". Western Kentucky University Athletics. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
^ "FB: CUSA Announces Media's Predicted Order of Finish". conferenceUSA.com. Conference USA. July 19, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
^ "2024 WKU Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 2, 2024.

[1] "2023 Football Coaching Staff". Western Kentucky University Athletics. Retrieved February 2, 2024.

[2] "FB: CUSA Announces Media's Predicted Order of Finish". conferenceUSA.com. Conference USA. July 19, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.

[3] "2024 WKU Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 2, 2024.

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v t e Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
Venues	Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium (1968–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Eastern Kentucky: Battle of the Bluegrass Middle Tennessee: 100 Miles of Hate Murray State: Battle for the Red Belt
Culture & lore	Big Red "Stand Up and Cheer"
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1913 1914 1915 1916 1917–1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943–1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
National championship seasons in bold