2020_Western_Kentucky_Hilltoppers_football_team
2020 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team
American college football season
The 2020 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team (WKU) represented Western Kentucky University in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hilltoppers played their home games at the Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as members of the East Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by second-year head coach Tyson Helton.
Quick Facts Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football, LendingTree Bowl, L 21–39 vs. Georgia State ...
| 2020 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football | |
|---|---|
 | |
LendingTree Bowl, L 21–39 vs. Georgia State | |
| Conference | Conference USA |
| Division | East Division |
| Record | 5–7 (4–3 C-USA) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive coordinator | Bryan Ellis (2nd season) |
| Co-offensive coordinator | Ryan Aplin (1st season) |
| Offensive scheme | Multiple |
| Defensive coordinator | Clayton White (4th season) |
| Co-defensive coordinator | Maurice Crum Jr. (1st season) |
| Base defense | 4–2–5 |
| Home stadium | Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium |
Seasons | |
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More information Conf, Overall ...
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| East Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marshall xy | 4 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida Atlantic | 4 | – | 2 | 5 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Kentucky | 4 | – | 3 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charlotte | 2 | – | 2 | 2 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Middle Tennessee | 2 | – | 4 | 3 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIU | 0 | – | 3 | 0 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UAB xy$ | 3 | – | 1 | 6 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UTSA | 5 | – | 2 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisiana Tech | 4 | – | 2 | 5 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Texas | 3 | – | 4 | 4 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rice | 2 | – | 3 | 2 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern Miss | 2 | – | 4 | 3 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UTEP | 0 | – | 4 | 3 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Championship: UAB 22, Marshall 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Preseason All-CUSA teams
To be released
Western Kentucky announced its 2020 football schedule on January 8, 2020.[1] The 2020 schedule consists of 6 home and 5 away games in the regular season.
The Hilltoppers had games scheduled against Indiana and Old Dominion, which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][3][4]
More information Date, Time ...
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 12 | 7:00 p.m. | at Louisville* | ACCN | L 21–35 | 11,179 | |
| September 19 | 11:00 a.m. | Liberty* | ESPNU | L 24–30 | 4,276 | |
| October 3 | 4:00 p.m. | at Middle Tennessee | ESPN3 | W 20–17 | 6,500 | |
| October 10 | 6:30 p.m. | Marshall |
| Stadium | L 14–38 | 4,428 |
| October 17 | 12:30 p.m. | at UAB | Stadium | L 14–37 | 11,098 | |
| October 24 | 3:00 p.m. | Chattanooga* |
| ESPN3 | W 13–10 | 3,905 |
| October 31 | 9:15 p.m. | at No. 11 BYU* | ESPN | L 10–41 | 6,843 | |
| November 7 | 5:00 p.m. | at Florida Atlantic | Stadium | L 6–10 | 5,292 | |
| November 14 | 2:30 p.m. | Southern Miss |
| CBSSN | W 10–7 | 3,815 |
| November 21 | 1:00 p.m. | FIU |
| ESPN3 | W 38–21 | 3,823 |
| December 6 | 11:00 a.m. | Charlotte | ESPN3 | W 37–19 | 714 | |
| December 26 | 2:30 p.m. | vs. Georgia State* | ESPN | L 21–39 | 5,128 | |
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At Louisville
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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See also: 2020 Louisville Cardinals football team
More information Statistics, Western Kentucky ...
| Statistics | Western Kentucky | Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 12 | 22 |
| Total yards | 248 | 487 |
| Rushing yards | 119 | 144 |
| Passing yards | 129 | 343 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 27:27 | 32:33 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 10/23, 129 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 17 carries, 68 yards | |
| Receiving | Jahcour Pearson | 5 receptions, 67 yards | |
| Louisville | Passing | Malik Cunningham | 19/34, 343 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Javian Hawkins | 19 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Dez Fitzpatrick | 4 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD |
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Liberty
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See also: 2020 Liberty Flames football team
More information Statistics, Liberty ...
| Statistics | Liberty | Western Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 27 | 19 |
| Total yards | 487 | 291 |
| Rushing yards | 354 | 110 |
| Passing yards | 133 | 181 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 34:59 | 25:01 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | Passing | Malik Willis | 13/21, 133 yards |
| Rushing | Malik Willis | 21 carries, 168 yards, 3 TDs | |
| Receiving | CJ Yarbrough | 2 receptions, 53 yards | |
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 18/25, 181 yards, 3 TDs |
| Rushing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 14 carries, 74 yards | |
| Receiving | Mitchell Tinsley | 6 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD |
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At Middle Tennessee
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More information Statistics, Western Kentucky ...
| Statistics | Western Kentucky | Middle Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 21 | 18 |
| Total yards | 326 | 319 |
| Rushing yards | 138 | 102 |
| Passing yards | 188 | 217 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 31:35 | 28:25 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 21/36, 188 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 16 carries, 55 yards | |
| Receiving | Xavier Lane | 7 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD | |
| Middle Tennessee | Passing | Asher O'Hara | 23/33, 217 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Asher O'Hara | 25 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Jarrin Pierce | 9 receptions, 65 yards |
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Marshall
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More information Statistics, Marshall ...
| Statistics | Marshall | Western Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 17 | 15 |
| Total yards | 343 | 294 |
| Rushing yards | 181 | 85 |
| Passing yards | 162 | 209 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 34:41 | 25:19 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | Passing | Grant Wells | 16/22, 162 yards |
| Rushing | Brenden Knox | 15 carries, 107 yards, 3 TDs | |
| Receiving | Broc Thompson | 4 receptions, 94 yards | |
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Kevaris Thomas | 9/18, 148 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Kevaris Thomas | 7 carries, 30 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Xavier Lane | 4 receptions, 74 yards |
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At UAB
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See also: 2020 UAB Blazers football team
More information Statistics, Western Kentucky ...
| Statistics | Western Kentucky | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 15 | 17 |
| Total yards | 250 | 358 |
| Rushing yards | 88 | 217 |
| Passing yards | 162 | 141 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 28:33 | 31:27 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Kevaris Thomas | 16/35, 162 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | Jakairi Moses | 6 carries, 41 yards | |
| Receiving | Joshua Simon | 6 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD | |
| UAB | Passing | Bryson Lucero | 15/31, 141 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | DeWayne McBride | 10 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Austin Watkins | 7 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD |
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Chattanooga
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See also: 2020 Chattanooga Mocs football team
More information Statistics, Chattanooga ...
| Statistics | Chattanooga | Western Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 13 | 14 |
| Total yards | 225 | 254 |
| Rushing yards | 135 | 122 |
| Passing yards | 90 | 132 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 32:21 | 27:39 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | Passing | Drayton Arnold | 9/23, 90 yards |
| Rushing | Ailym Ford | 25 carries, 92 yards | |
| Receiving | Tyron Arnett | 2 receptions, 30 yards | |
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 4/8, 73 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Gaej Walker | 17 carries, 88 yards | |
| Receiving | Mitchell Tinsley | 4 receptions, 46 yards |
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At BYU
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See also: 2020 BYU Cougars football team
More information Statistics, Western Kentucky ...
| Statistics | Western Kentucky | BYU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 12 | 22 |
| Total yards | 248 | 487 |
| Rushing yards | 119 | 144 |
| Passing yards | 129 | 343 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 27:27 | 32:33 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 19/30, 106 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Gaej Walker | 17 carries, 75 yards | |
| Receiving | Xavier Lane | 3 receptions, 31 yards | |
| BYU | Passing | Zach Wilson | 18/22, 224 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Tyler Allgeier | 16 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Dax Milne | 5 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD |
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At Florida Atlantic
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See also: 2020 Florida Atlantic Owls football team
More information Statistics, Western Kentucky ...
| Statistics | Western Kentucky | Florida Atlantic |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 16 | 18 |
| Total yards | 257 | 273 |
| Rushing yards | 94 | 165 |
| Passing yards | 163 | 108 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 33:49 | 26:11 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 19/39, 163 yards |
| Rushing | Gaej Walker | 17 carries, 78 yards | |
| Receiving | Xavier Lane | 7 receptions, 60 yards | |
| Florida Atlantic | Passing | Nick Tronti | 7/16, 108 yards |
| Rushing | Javion Posey | 9 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | TJ Chase | 3 receptions, 47 yards |
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Southern Miss
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More information Statistics, Southern Miss ...
| Statistics | Southern Miss | Western Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 13 | 19 |
| Total yards | 221 | 304 |
| Rushing yards | 154 | 121 |
| Passing yards | 67 | 183 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 25:18 | 34:42 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Miss | Passing | Trey Lowe | 6/14, 67 yards |
| Rushing | Kevin Perkins | 8 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Antoine Robinson | 2 receptions, 25 yards | |
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 19/30, 183 yards |
| Rushing | Jakairi Moses | 12 carries, 40 yards | |
| Receiving | Xavier Lane | 5 receptions, 90 yards |
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FIU
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See also: 2020 FIU Panthers football team
More information Statistics, FIU ...
| Statistics | FIU | Western Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 17 | 13 |
| Total yards | 268 | 278 |
| Rushing yards | 121 | 157 |
| Passing yards | 147 | 121 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 33:51 | 26:09 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIU | Passing | Max Bortenschlager | 8/18, 106 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | D'Vonte Price | 24 carries, 100 yards | |
| Receiving | JJ Holloman | 2 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD | |
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 14/25, 121 yards |
| Rushing | Gaej Walker | 17 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Mitchell Tinsley | 3 receptions, 28 yards |
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At Charlotte
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See also: 2020 Charlotte 49ers football team
More information Statistics, Western Kentucky ...
| Statistics | Western Kentucky | Charlotte |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 21 | 18 |
| Total yards | 436 | 308 |
| Rushing yards | 218 | 89 |
| Passing yards | 218 | 219 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 29:59 | 30:01 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 18/27, 218 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Gaej Walker | 19 carries, 98 yards | |
| Receiving | Dakota Thomas | 5 receptions, 78 yards | |
| Charlotte | Passing | Chris Reynolds | 14/34, 205 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Tre Harbison | 16 carries, 80 yards | |
| Receiving | Victor Tucker | 8 receptions, 111 yards |
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Vs. Georgia State (LendingTree Bowl)
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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More information Statistics, Georgia State ...
| Statistics | Georgia State | Western Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 27 | 14 |
| Total yards | 484 | 284 |
| Rushing yards | 227 | 104 |
| Passing yards | 257 | 180 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 35:02 | 24:58 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia State | Passing | Cornelious Brown IV | 16/30, 232 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Destin Coates | 23 carries, 117 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Cornelius McCoy | 5 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD | |
| Western Kentucky | Passing | Tyrrell Pigrome | 17/33, 180 yards, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | C. J. Jones | 5 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Joshua Simon | 4 receptions, 84 yards |
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- "Hilltopper Football 2020 Schedule Features 6 Home Games, 9 Bowl Teams". Western Kentucky University Department of Athletics. January 8, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- "ACC Announces Plans for Football and Fall Olympic Sports". TheACC.com. July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- "Old Dominion postponing football and fall sports". The Virginian Pilot. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "2020 Football Schedule". Western Kentucky University Athletics. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- "2020 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Schedule". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- "WKU Hilltoppers vs Louisville Cardinals". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- "Liberty Flames vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- "WKU Hilltoppers vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- "Marshall Thundering Herd vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- "WKU Hilltoppers vs UAB Blazers". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- "Chattanooga Mocs vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- "WKU Hilltoppers vs BYU Cougars". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- "WKU Hilltoppers vs Florida Atlantic Owls". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- "Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- "FIU Panthers vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- "Western Kentucky vs. Charlotte odds, line: 2020 college football picks, Week 14 predictions from proven model". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- "WKU Hilltoppers vs Georgia State Panthers". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 29, 2020.