BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU announced the complete schedule for the 2016 football season, highlighted by games against two Southeastern Conference opponents, including the first-ever at home, and a season opener at home against a league opponent for the first time since 2000.
The defending Conference USA champions have six home games, six road games, four of which are driving distance within 315 miles, and flip their conference slate from the 2015 season.
WKU hosts C-USA West Division foe Rice at home on Sept. 3 to begin the season. It marks the first time the Hilltoppers have opened their schedule at home against a league opponent since they hosted Tennessee-Martin in 2000. WKU's home opener in 2015 was in week two against Louisiana Tech. Three of WKU's first five games are at home where the Tops currently hold a 10-game winning streak.
The Tops then travel to defending national champion Alabama on Sept. 10 and to Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 17.
After two weeks on the road, WKU enjoys a two-week home stand where they will host Vanderbilt on Sept. 24, marking the first time an SEC opponent will play inside Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, and Houston Baptist on Oct. 1 to close out the non-conference schedule.
WKU's remaining seven games are all league games as follows: at Louisiana Tech (Oct. 8), at Middle Tennessee (Oct. 15), Old Dominion (Oct. 22), at Florida Atlantic (Oct. 29), FIU (Nov. 5), North Texas (Nov. 12) and at Marshall (Nov. 26). The Hilltoppers' bye week comes after 11 games, ahead of the Marshall game, on Nov. 19 – their latest since the 1996 team played 11 straight to complete their season without a bye.
WKU returns seven offensive and four defensive starters, including all five starting offensive linemen and All-C-USA first teamers tackle Forrest Lamp and wide receiver Taywan Taylor, from last year's Top 25 team in 2016, as well as head coach Jeff Brohm who agreed to a four-year contract extension with the University on Wednesday.
Complete Schedule:
SEPT. 3 – RICE*
Sept. 10 – at Alabama
Sept. 17 – at Miami (Ohio)
SEPT. 24 – VANDERBILT
OCT. 1 – HOUSTON BAPTIST
Oct. 8 – at Louisiana Tech*
Oct. 15 – at Middle Tennessee*
OCT. 22 – OLD DOMINION*
Oct. 29 – at Florida Atlantic*
NOV. 5 – FIU*
NOV. 12 – NORTH TEXAS*
Nov. 26 – at Marshall*
Home games in ALL CAPS
* - indicates Conference USA game
Kickoff times will be announced at a later date as the league works to finalize its television schedule. Dates are subject to change.
Season Tickets Now Available: Season tickets for the 2016 season begin at just $80 and can be purchased through the WKU Athletics Ticket Office. To secure the best seats in the house, call 1-800-5-BIG-RED. Back for 2016 is the popular "Big Red Family Plan," a four-pack of season tickets for $200 or just $50 per person, less than $9 per game.
