BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football will be on the road to face rival Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
GAME INFO
- WKU (3-5 overall, 2-2 CUSA) at Middle Tennessee (4-4 overall, 2-2 CUSA)
- Saturday, Nov. 7 | 2:30 p.m. CT | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium | Murfreesboro, Tenn.
- Watch: ESPN+ (PxP: Jake Rose | Analyst: Jeremy Kellem | Reporter: Emmy Fazenbaker)
- Listen: BG 100.7 FM/Varsity Network (PxP: Randy Lee | Analyst: Terry Obee | Reporter: Jared Holland)
- Social: @WKUFootball | @WKUSports
- Live Stats: Statbroadcast
- Game Notes: WKU | Middle Tennessee | CUSA
ABOUT THE TOPS
- LAST TIME OUT: WKU is coming off of a 35-21 loss to Delaware on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Houchens-Smith Stadium to fall to 3-5 this season. The Hilltoppers took an early lead, scoring on its first two drives and three of its first four possessions, but struggled to finish drives and were held scoreless during the second half. WKU finished with 477 yards of offense in the game – 245 passing and 232 rushing. It was the second-highest total yardage in a game for the Hilltoppers this season, trailing only the 596 posted against Mercyhurst on Sept. 26. Quarterback Brock Glenn threw for 224 yards and one touchdown on 25-37-2 passing. He added 129 yards rushing on 17 attempts. It was the first time a WKU quarterback has rushed for over 100 yards in a single game since Kawaun Jakes rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries on Nov. 7, 2009, against Troy.
- TRUE FRESHMAN STANDOUTS: WKU has seen a pair of true freshmen standouts in the starting lineup this season – receiver Jonathan Stafford Jr. and linebacker Westen Ard. Stafford has been the winner of three CUSA Freshman of the Week awards. He has a team-leading 46 receptions for 433 yards this season, and he moved into second place in program history in receptions for a freshman last game, passing Easton Messer, who had 42 catches during the 2023 season. Stafford trails only Malachi Corley on the list. Corley caught 73 passes during the 2021 season. Stafford moved into fifth place among freshmen in program history for receiving yards in a season, passing Nicholas Norris, who had 431 yards receiving in 2013. Stafford trails Corley (691 yards; 2021), Jay Davis (612 yards; 1968), Messer (484 yards; 2023) and Cedric Jones (471 yards; 1984) on the list. Stafford has posted at least five receptions in the last six games – the longest streak by a WKU true freshman over the last 30 years. Stafford is tied for 28th nationally in receptions per game with 5.75, and he is third among FBS freshmen in the category. Stafford is the first WKU player to record at least three catches in his first eight games with WKU since Jerreth Sterns in 2021. True freshman linebacker Westen Ard has started the last six games for the Hilltoppers and ranks second on the team in total tackles with 50. He is first on the team in tackles for loss with 5.5, and his 2.5 sacks are also a team-best. He's added three pass breakups – tied for second-most on the team. Ard is coming off of a nine-tackle performance against Delaware and a 10-tackle game at Sam Houston, in which he also had 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He ranks ninth in CUSA in tackles per game with 7.14 – best among league freshmen and second nationally among true freshmen.
- CUSA COMPETITION: WKU Football has gone 42-17 in regular-season CUSA games since Tyson Helton took over the program in 2019. The Hilltoppers have gone 6-2 in CUSA play the last two seasons leading into 2026 and have finished with a winning record in conference play in each of the seven seasons under Helton. WKU is 246-153-9 all-time against conference opponents in its history.
- WHAT YOU DO IN NOVEMBER, THEY REMEMBER: November has been the most successful month for the Hilltoppers in seven seasons under Helton. WKU owns a 19-8 record in November under Helton, including an 18-6 record against CUSA competition. WKU has lost multiple conference games in November under Helton only once – in 2024, but the Hilltoppers won the finale against Jax State that year to earn a berth in the CUSA Championship Game. WKU has won its first game in November in each of the last five seasons.
QUOTABLE
- "Excited about this week. Big rivalry game – it's a game that we always look forward to each year. No matter whether you've been here a long time or you're a new guy, everybody enjoys these games. We have tremendous respect for Middle Tennessee. They're having a good year, they've got good players. It'll take everything we've got. So we've got to prepare well, and we have to play at a high level if we want to win this game." – Head Coach Tyson Helton, on the upcoming game against Middle Tennessee.
SERIES INFORMATION
- Saturday's game will mark the 76th meeting between WKU and Middle Tennessee – the oldest and most-played series in Conference USA. The Hilltoppers own a 39-35-1 series lead over the Blue Raiders, with wins in each of the last seven seasons – all seven meetings under WKU Head Coach Tyson Helton – and 10 of the last 11 meetings. WKU claimed a 42-26 victory over Middle Tennessee last season at Houchens-Smith Stadium. The seven consecutive wins are tied for the longest winning streak in the series. The Hilltoppers also won seven consecutive games against Middle Tennessee from 1928-34. Middle Tennessee's last win in the series came in 2018 – a 29-10 decision in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. WKU is 16-20-1 in games against the Blue Raiders in Murfreesboro.
SCOUTING THE BLUE RAIDERS
- Middle Tennessee enters the game with a 4-4 overall record and a 2-2 CUSA record. The Blue Raiders claimed wins over Murray State, Nevada and CUSA opponents Delaware and FIU.
- The Blue Raiders are led by Derek Mason, who holds a 10-22 overall record over the last three seasons as Middle Tennessee's head coach.
- Middle Tennessee ranks fifth offensively in CUSA with 23.9 points per game. The Blue Raiders rank eighth defensively with 29.6 points allowed per game.
Follow the Hilltoppers: For all the latest on WKU Football, follow @WKUFootball on Twitter and Instagram, and like the WKU Football Facebook page.
