The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will attempt to bounce back from a close loss as they host the Liberty Flames this Tuesday.
The Flames and Hilltoppers will show down in Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Oct. 24th at 7:30 PM. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and LFSN Radio (The Journey 88.3 FM).
Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium opened in 1968 but was remodeled in 2008 to seat a capacity of 22,113. The record attendance was set for the stadium in September of 2021 when 25,171 attendees watched Western Kentucky faceoff against Indiana.
Western Kentucky is 2-1 in Conference USA and 4-3 overall this season. The Hilltoppers’ first loss this season was 63-10 in Week 3 at Ohio State. Last week, they lost 20-17 at Jacksonville State. The Hilltoppers have not lost at home yet this season.
The Flames and Hilltoppers’ programs have played three times before. Each meeting has resulted in a Flames victory. The Flames’ largest margin of victory against Western Kentucky was in 1995 when they won 49-36.
The Hilltoppers finished last season with a 9-5 record and a New Orleans Bowl win against South Alabama.
Head coach Tyson Helton has been with Western Kentucky since 2019. Helton is 36-24 with the Hilltoppers and 25-9 in Conference USA. Since beginning coaching in 2000, Helton has coached offensive positions for seven schools, including Tennessee in 2018.
Helton played backup quarterback at Houston from 1996 to 1999 with his dad as his head coach. During his time there, Helton completed one touchdown and threw six interceptions.
The Flames secondary will undergo another big test this Tuesday as Hilltoppers’ quarterback Austin Reed is currently ranked 13th in the nation in number of passing yards with 1,915 yards through seven games. The Hilltoppers have eight receivers with over 100 receiving yards and one touchdown this season.
Reed finished first in total passing yards in CFB last season with 4,744 yards. Reed also threw 40 touchdowns last season, second only to Heisman Winner Caleb Williams.
Western Kentucky has averaged 213.3 passing yards and 100.3 rush yards per game this season. The Hilltoppers’ defense has also forced eighteen turnovers this season. On special teams, the Hilltoppers’ kicker, Lucas Carneiro, has not missed a field goal or extra point yet this season.
Three Players to Watch For
WR #11 – Malachi Corley is a Junior from Orange City, FL. Corley has hauled in 43 receptions for 585 yards and 5 touchdowns this season. Corley has also rushed 3 times for 7 yards.
QB #16 – Austin Reed has completed 174 passes for 1,915 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions this season. Reed has also rushed for 89 yards and 3 touchdowns this season.
DB #16 – Kendrick Simpkins has recorded 28 tackles, 21 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 pass defense, and 3 forced fumbles already this season.
Upcoming Games
Oct. 24 – Western Kentucky vs Liberty
Nov. 4 – Western Kentucky @ UTEP
Nov. 11 – Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State
