BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football Head Coach Tyson Helton, offensive lineman Karsten Upchurch and safety Jaylen Lewis will represent the Hilltoppers at the 2026 CUSA Football Kickoff and Media Days on July 20-21 at the Texas Live! Arena and the Loews Arlington Hotel & Convention Center in Arlington, Texas.
WKU is coming off a 9-4 season in 2025, which included a 27-16 victory over Southern Miss in the 2025 New Orleans Bowl – the fifth bowl win for the Hilltoppers in seven seasons under Helton. This fall, the Hilltoppers will enter their eighth season under Helton, who holds a 57-36 overall record during his first seven seasons, with appearances in bowl games each of those seven seasons, as well as two Conference USA Championship Game appearances.
With its 2025 New Orleans Bowl victory, WKU claimed its eighth bowl win in the last 12 seasons. Only Georgia and Minnesota have more bowl wins than WKU during the College Football Playoff Era, and WKU's eight bowl wins are tied for third-most nationally with Alabama, Ohio State and Wisconsin during that period.
Upchurch started the final 11 games of the 2025 season for WKU at right tackle, helping the Hilltoppers to the top offense in CUSA at 29.54 points per game.
Lewis started all 13 games for the Hilltoppers in his first season with the program after transferring from Temple. He posted 74 total tackles – tied for second-most on the team – with 3.5 tackles for loss, a team-high three interceptions, five pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Lewis was a 2025 All-CUSA Honorable Mention selection, and received CUSA All-Conference Fourth Team honors from Phil Steele.
CUSA Commissioner Judy MacLeod, as well as head coaches and players from each of the 10 CUSA programs will be on hand to discuss and preview the upcoming 2026 football season. The 2026 alignment will feature 10 teams: Delaware, FIU, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Middle Tennessee, Missouri State, New Mexico State, Sam Houston and WKU.
In addition to traditional press conferences and media availability on Tuesday, July 21, all participants will take part in a live ESPN+ show, hosted by ESPN's Mike Corey on Monday, July 20 within the Texas Live! Arena.
Texas Live! is a premier $250 million entertainment, dining and hospitality destination located in the heart of Arlington, Texas. Developed in partnership between the Texas Rangers and The Cordish Companies, the 200,000-square-foot complex serves as a central hub for sports fans and visitors, situated directly between AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field.
The Hilltoppers will open the 2026 season at Nevada on Saturday, Sept. 5. The full 2026 WKU Football schedule can be found HERE.
WKU Football 2026 season tickets and away game tickets are on sale now! Season tickets start as low as $50, and there are several options for different season ticket levels. For more information or to purchase 2026 WKU Football season tickets, click HERE. Fans can purchase 2026 WKU Football away game tickets HERE.
Are you interested in purchasing 2026 WKU Football tickets but don't know where to start? Fill out this form and a member of the WKU Ticket Office will be in touch soon! All season tickets require an HAF donation.
Follow the Hilltoppers: For all the latest on WKU Football, follow @WKUFootball on Twitter and Instagram, and like the WKU Football Facebook page.
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