BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU began the month of December with preparations for Saturday's Conference USA Championship Game, a two-hour workout under the lights on Feix Field inside Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.
Saturday's game is the first ever conference championship game for the Hilltoppers, either as the host or on the road, and tickets to the game can be purchased through the WKU Ticket Office for as little as $15 by calling 1-800-5-BIG-RED. Students with a valid WKU ID will be able to enter the game free of charge.
The Hilltoppers host a Southern Miss team which enters as the league's top statistical offense and defense, averaging 534.8 yards per game on offense and allowing just 351.0 yards per game on defense. According to offensive coordinator Tyson Helton, the two teams are slated for a tight matchup.
"Both teams are going to make plays – we just have to make more plays than them," Helton said. "Statistically, it's funny how we match up. They do a great job on offense, and we're right there with them. There's things we do great on defense, and they do some great things on defense as well. We're two pretty evenly matched teams, and whoever plays best will win the game."
Saturday's game will be the result of a lot of hard work and determination by the Hilltoppers, who stated early in fall camp that a conference championship was the goal this season.
"It's what you work for all year. It's what we started fall camp with and at our first team meeting," Helton added. "That was the goal that was set – to get to this point. We talk about "Finish." Every week it's "Finish, Finish, Finish." We've got to finish it."
