FRISCO, Texas – WKU Football Head Coach Tyson Helton, quarterback Maverick McIvor and defensive end Harper Holloman will represent the Hilltoppers today at the Conference USA Kickoff & Media Day at the home of the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas.
CUSA Commissioner Judy MacLeod, as well as head coaches and players from each of the 12 CUSA programs, will be on hand to discuss and preview the upcoming 2025 football season. This marks the first formal event under the league's 2025 12-team configuration.
In addition to traditional press conferences and media availability, participants will also take part in a live ESPN+ show, hosted by ESPN's Mike Corey. WKU's segment on the show is scheduled to start at 12:25 p.m. CT and can be watched HERE.
Helton is scheduled to appear at a press conference at noon CT. A recording of the press conference will be posted to the WKUSports YouTube Channel following its completion.
WKU had five players named to the Conference USA Preseason Watch List, the conference announced Friday. In addition to McIvor and Holloman, offensive lineman Marshall Jackson, defensive back Demarko Williams and punter Cole Maynard received the preseason recognition.
The league also unveiled its new Bowl Confidence Index voting on Friday. The Bowl Confidence Index introduces a new approach to CUSA's preseason football coverage. Rather than ranking teams from one through 12, voters selected the teams they believe will qualify for a bowl game. WKU was one of only two programs in CUSA to receive a 100% confidence vote in becoming bowl eligible this fall.
The 2025 season will be the seventh for Helton at WKU. He has produced a 48-32 record overall, including a 34-13 mark in CUSA play, reached six bowl games with four bowl victories and earned berths in two CUSA Championship Games. The Hilltoppers are coming off an 8-6 2024 season that saw the team play in the CUSA Championship Game and the Boca Raton Bowl.
McIvor highlights a large group of newcomers to the WKU Football program this offseason. The quarterback transferred to WKU after spending three seasons at Abilene Christian, where he was one of the top players at the FCS level. Over three seasons with the Wildcats, he threw for 8,012 yards and 63 touchdowns on 655-of-1089 passing with 21 interceptions. During his final season at Abilene Christian in 2024, the native of San Angelo, Texas, threw for 3,828 yards and 30 touchdowns to seven interceptions on 312-of-499 passing – an average of 294.5 yards through the air per game – while leading his team to the United Athletic Conference title and berth in the FCS Playoffs, where the Wildcats beat Northern Arizona in their first game. He was named a Second Team All-American by FCS Football Central, and was an All-UAC First Team selection at quarterback. McIvor ranked fourth in the FCS in total passing yards, fifth in passing yards per game, eighth in total offense, sixth in passing touchdowns, ninth in points responsible for, fourth in total completions and seventh in completions per game. In 2023, he posted 17 touchdowns and 1,972 yards with just five interceptions, and in his first year with the program, McIvor had 2,212 yards and 16 touchdowns while completing 60% of his passes. He arrived at Abilene Christian after three seasons at Texas Tech, where he did not see any game action.
Holloman is entering his second season with the Hilltoppers. The sophomore appeared in eight games during his first season at WKU, including appearances in the team's final seven games of the season. He finished the year with nine total tackles, with one for loss. Holloman was named WKU's Spring Defensive MVP earlier this year.
The Hilltoppers are scheduled to open the 2025 season with a Week 0 CUSA game against Sam Houston on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and the game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
For all the latest on WKU Football, follow @WKUFootball on Twitter and Instagram, and like the WKU Football Facebook page.
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