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2024 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

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2024 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
ConferenceConference USA
Record8–6 (6–2 C-USA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorWill Friend (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinatorDrew Hollingshead (2nd season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorTyson Summers (3rd season)
Base defense3–3–5
Home stadiumHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
Seasons
← 2023
2025 →
2024 Conference USA football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Jacksonville State y$   7 – 1     9 – 5  
Western Kentucky y   6 – 2     8 – 6  
Sam Houston   6 – 2     10 – 3  
Liberty   5 – 3     8 – 3  
Louisiana Tech   4 – 4     5 – 7  
UTEP   3 – 5     3 – 9  
FIU   3 – 5     4 – 8  
New Mexico State   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Middle Tennessee   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Kennesaw State*   2 – 6     2 – 10  
Championship: Jacksonville State 52, Western Kentucky 12
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
  • * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules
As of December 26, 2024

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

Preseason

[edit]

C-USA media poll

[edit]

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

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

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 316:00 p.m.at No. 5 Alabama*
ESPNL 0–63100,077
September 76:00 p.m.Eastern Kentucky*
ESPN+W 31–016,712
September 146:00 p.m.at Middle Tennessee
ESPN+W 49–2112,227
September 216:00 p.m.Toledo*
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
ESPN+W 26–2119,127
September 2811:00 a.m.at Boston College*
ACCNL 20–2141,403
October 107:00 p.m.UTEP
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
ESPNUW 44–1712,723
October 167:00 p.m.at Sam Houston
ESPN2W 31–148,914
October 306:30 p.m.Kennesaw State
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
ESPN2W 31–1414,547
November 95:00 p.m.at New Mexico State
ESPN+W 41–2812,710
November 1611:00 a.m.Louisiana Techdagger
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
CBSSNL 7–1213,312
November 2312:00 p.m.at Liberty
ESPN+L 21–3817,930
November 303:00 p.m.Jacksonville State
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
ESPNUW 19–176,547
December 66:00 p.m.at Jacksonville State
CBSSNL 12–5215,628
December 184:30 p.m.vs. James Madison
ESPNL 17–2715,808

[3]

Game summaries

[edit]

at No. 5 Alabama

[edit]
See also: 2024 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Game One – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0-0) at No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 0 0 000
No. 5 Crimson Tide 21 21 14763

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)
  • Box Score
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)

[edit]
See also: 2024 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team
Game Two – Eastern Kentucky Colonels (FCS) (0–1) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colonels (FCS) 0 0 000
Hilltoppers 10 7 01431

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+): Steve Schlanger (play-by-play) and Terry Obee (analyst)
  • Box Score
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)

[edit]
See also: 2024 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team
Game Three – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1–1) at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 14 7 21749
Blue Raiders 0 0 14721

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 announcers (ESPN+): Jake Rose (play-by-play), Jeremy Kellem (analyst) and Justin Beasley (sideline)
  • 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

[edit]
See also: 2024 Toledo Rockets football team
Game Four – Toledo Rockets (3–0) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rockets 0 14 7021
Hilltoppers 0 7 51426

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 announcers (ESPN+): Jeff Hem (play-by-play) and Terry Obee (analyst)
  • 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

[edit]
See also: 2024 Boston College Eagles football team
Game Five – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3–1) at Boston College Eagles (3–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 7 10 3020
Eagles 0 7 01421

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

[edit]
See also: 2024 UTEP Miners football team
Game Six – UTEP Miners (0–5) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Miners 7 0 10017
Hilltoppers 14 13 71044

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

[edit]
See also: 2024 Sam Houston Bearkats football team
Game Seven – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4–2) at Sam Houston Bearkats (5–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 7 10 01431
Bearkats 0 14 0014

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)
  • Box Score
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

[edit]
See also: 2024 Kennesaw State Owls football team
Game Eight – Kennesaw State Owls (1–6) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (5–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Owls 7 0 0714
Hilltoppers 21 3 0731

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)
  • Box Score
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

[edit]
See also: 2024 New Mexico State Aggies football team
Game Nine – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (6–2) at New Mexico State Aggies (2–6) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 14 10 71041
Aggies 7 0 14728

at Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, NM

  • Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: W 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 12,710
  • Referee: Rodney Burnette
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Adam Young (play-by-play) and Danny Knee (analyst)
  • Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • (13:07) WKU – Easton Messer 54-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 1:49; Western Kentucky 7–0)
  • (9:59) WKU – Caden Veltkamp 1-yard run, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 6 plays, 28 yards, 2:57; Western Kentucky 14–0)
  • (3:01) NMSU – Mike Washington 1-yard run, Abraham Montaño kick (Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 6:52; Western Kentucky 14–7)
Second quarter
  • (14:52) WKU – Kisean Johnson 51-yard pass from Dalvin Smith, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 3:03; Western Kentucky 21–7)
  • (0:00) WKU – Lucas Carneiro 42-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 5:53; Western Kentucky 24–7)
Third quarter
  • (9:14) NMSU – Mike Washington 3-yard run, Abraham Montaño kick (Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 2:38; Western Kentucky 24–14)
  • (5:28) NMSU – Seth McGowan 7-yard run, Abraham Montaño kick (Drive: 6 plays, 92 yards, 2:24; Western Kentucky 24–21)
  • (0:59) WKU – Caden Veltkamp 3-yard run, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:29; Western Kentucky 31–21)
Fourth quarter
  • (9:58) WKU – K. D. Hutchinson 28-yard pass from Caden Veltkamp, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 6 plays, 51 yards, 2:47; Western Kentucky 38–21)
  • (5:03) WKU – Lucas Carneiro 53-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 2:21; Western Kentucky 41–21)
  • (1:55) NMSU – Donovan Faupel 29-yard pass from Santino Marucci, Abraham Montaño kick (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:08; Western Kentucky 41–28)
Statistics WKU NMSU
First downs 17 14
Total yards 413 460
Rushing yards 116 331
Passing yards 297 129
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19–28–2 10–22–2
Time of possession 30:30 29:30
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Caden Veltkamp 18/27, 246 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Elijah Young 16 carries, 74 yards
Receiving Kisean Johnson 5 receptions, 88 yards, TD
New Mexico State Passing Santino Marucci 10/20, 129 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Mike Washington 19 carries, 152 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Seth McGowan 3 receptions, 47 yards

Louisiana Tech

[edit]
See also: 2024 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team
Game Ten – Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (3–6) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 3 6 0312
Hilltoppers 0 7 007

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

  • Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 13,312
  • Referee: Rory Bernard
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Alex Del Barrio (play-by-play) and Taylor McHargue (analyst)
  • Box Score
Game information
First quarter
  • (9:30) LT – Buck Buchanan 35-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 4:05; Louisiana Tech 3–0)
Second quarter
  • (14:16) WKU – Elijah Young 7-yard run, Lucas Carneiro kick (Drive: 14 plays, 97 yards, 5:31; Western Kentucky 7–3)
  • (8:16) LT – Buck Buchanan 42-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 5:54; Western Kentucky 7–6)
  • (2:25) LT – Buck Buchanan 28-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 4:13; Louisiana Tech 9–7)
Third quarter

No scoring plays

Fourth quarter
  • (8:06) LT – Buck Buchanan 24-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 51 yards, 6:58; Louisiana Tech 12–7)
Statistics LT WKU
First downs 18 12
Total yards 275 215
Rushing yards 209 63
Passing yards 66 152
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–15–0 18–26–0
Time of possession 39:38 20:22
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Tech Passing Evan Bullock 12/15, 66 yards
Rushing Amani Givens 17 carries, 103 yards
Receiving Tru Edwards 7 receptions, 52 yards
Western Kentucky Passing Caden Veltkamp 18/26, 152 yards
Rushing Caden Veltkamp 8 carries, 17 yards
Receiving Kisean Johnson 4 receptions, 40 yards

at Liberty

[edit]
See also: 2024 Liberty Flames football team
Game Eleven – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7–3) at Liberty Flames (7–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 0 0 000
Flames 0 0 000

at Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, VA

  • Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Matt Warner (play-by-play), Joe Jauch (analyst) and Emily Austen (sideline)
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

[edit]
See also: 2024 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team
Game Twelve – Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8–3) at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Gamecocks 0 0 000
Hilltoppers 0 0 000

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

  • Date: Saturday November 30, 2024
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Matt Schumacker (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst)
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

at Jacksonville State (C-USA Championship)

[edit]
See also: 2024 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team and 2024 Conference USA Football Championship Game
Game Thirteen – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8–4) at Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 3 3 6012
Gamecocks 14 14 101452

at JSU Stadium • Jacksonville, AL

  • Date: Friday December 6, 2024
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Referee: Rory Bernard
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Robert Turbin (analyst), and Amanda Guerra (sideline reporter)
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

James Madison (Boca Raton Bowl)

[edit]
See also: 2024 James Madison Dukes football team and 2024 Boca Raton Bowl
2024 Boca Raton Bowl
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8–5, 6–2) at James Madison Dukes (8–4, 4–4)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 0 14 0317
Dukes 7 0 101027

at FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida

  • Date: December 18th, 2024
  • Game time: 4:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Wind: SE at 11 miles per hour (18 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 15,808
  • TV: ESPN
Game information
Statistics WKU JMU
First downs 14 19
Total yards 318 394
Rushing yards 16 212
Passing yards 302 182
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 25–39–0 17–24–0
Time of possession 23:28 36:32
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Caden Veltkamp 25/39, 302 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Elijah Young 11 carries, 37 yards
Receiving Dalvin Smith 2 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD
James Madison Passing Billy Atkins 16/23, 181 yards, 1 TD
Rushing George Pettiway 14 carries, 100 yards
Receiving Omarion Dollison 6 receptions, 82 yards

References

[edit]
  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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