BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Non-conference trips to Wisconsin and Louisville and a challenging Conference USA slate highlight the 2018 WKU Football schedule, the league office announced Tuesday.
The Hilltoppers open the 2018 season under second-year head coach Mike Sanford on Aug. 31 with a Friday night trip to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisc., home of the reigning Orange Bowl Champion Wisconsin Badgers. It will mark WKU's second trip to Wisconsin (the first since 2001) and fourth time in the past five seasons the Hilltoppers have traveled to Big Ten country.
WKU opens its home slate Sept. 8, hosting Maine in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Then, an in-state showdown with Louisville - the first of a three-game series through 2020 - awaits at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on Sept. 15. It will be the first time the Hilltoppers and Cardinals have met on the gridiron since 1998, with Louisville holding a 19-12 advantage in the overall series.
WKU stays on the road to close out non-conference play the following week to wrap up a series with Ball State (Sept. 22) before opening up C-USA play at home against division rival Marshall.
After a bye week, WKU travels to Charlotte (Oct. 13) for the first time in program history before a two-game homestand with games against Old Dominion (Oct. 20) and FIU (Oct. 27).
The Hilltoppers then close out their final four games with three road trips, including one just down the road at Middle Tennessee (Nov. 3), followed by Florida Atlantic (Nov. 10), and Louisiana Tech (Nov. 24).
WKU will honor its seniors and close out the home slate at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium the week prior to Louisiana Tech (Nov. 24) when the Hilltoppers host UTEP on Nov. 17.
It is important to note that all games are subject to date changes and may move in order accommodate national television. Kickoff times and specialty games such as Homecoming will be announced at a later date.
Season tickets for the 2018 season are now on sale through the WKU Ticket Office and begin at just $80. To discuss your options, call the ticket office today at 1-800-5-BIGRED.
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 (Fri.) – at Wisconsin
Sept. 8 – Maine
Sept. 15 – at Louisville
Sept. 22 – at Ball State
Sept. 29 - Marshall*
Oct. 6 – BYE
Oct. 13 – at Charlotte*
Oct. 20 – Old Dominion*
Oct. 27 – FIU*
Nov. 3 – at Middle Tennessee*
Nov. 10 – at Florida Atlantic*
Nov. 17 – UTEP*
Nov. 24 – at Louisiana Tech*
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