CUSA · 2026
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Head coach Tyson Helton · Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium
0-30-0 in conference
TDC Rank
#128
of 138 FBS teams
Rating
-10.6
pts vs avg FBS team
Offense
-3.6
110th in FBS
Defense
-6.9
135th in FBS
Schedule so far
+6.2
1st toughest
Projected
3.7-8.3
bowl-eligible 13%
Season Outlook
From the TDC Rating, updated after every game
Rating by week
-10.6 now, -0.4 preseason · down 53 spots since preseason
Final record odds
3.7-8.3 expected · most likely 3-9 (23%)
Team Leaders
Passing
Rodney Tisdale Jr.
QB · SO · 137th in FBS
234yds
0 TD · 1 INT
Rushing
Ajay Allen
RB · SR · 156th in FBS
143yds
42 car · 2 TD
Receiving
Cameron Flowers
WR · SO · 344th in FBS
94yds
10 rec · 0 TD
Tackles
Jaylen Lewis
DB · SR · 64th in FBS
24tkl
0 TFL
Sacks
Mackavelli Malotumau
DT · SR · 157th in FBS
1sacks
0 hurries
Interceptions
Justin Brown
DB · JR · 35th in FBS
1INT
1 PD
Schedule
Game score = the rating that one result implies, after adjusting for opponent and venue
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Result / TDC line | Game score | Win chance | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 5 | @ 125Nevada | L 14–49 | -33.7 | — | CBSSN |
| 2 | Sep 12 | @ 8Georgia | L 20–70 | -18.1 | — | SEC Network |
| 3 | Sep 19 | @ 2Indiana | L 0–38 | -10.4 | — | Peacock |
| 4 | Sep 26 | vs Mercyhurst FCS | Western Kentucky −16.7 · o/u 50.5 | — | ESPN+ | |
| 5 | Oct 1 | @ 115New Mexico StateCONF | New Mexico State −7.1 · o/u 52.9 | — | CBSSN | |
| 6 | Oct 8 | vs 117Missouri StateCONF | Missouri State −0.5 · o/u 52.5 | — | CBSSN | |
| 7 | Oct 14 | @ 108Sam HoustonCONF | Sam Houston −8.2 · o/u 50.2 | — | ESPN2 | |
| 8 | — | Bye | ||||
| 9 | Oct 27 | vs 79DelawareCONF | Delaware −5.6 · o/u 53.3 | — | CBSSN | |
| 10 | Nov 7 | @ 109Middle TennesseeCONF | Middle Tennessee −8.2 · o/u 55.7 | — | ||
| 11 | Nov 14 | vs 100Jacksonville StateCONF | Jacksonville State −3.3 · o/u 53.3 | — | ||
| 12 | Nov 21 | @ 88LibertyCONF | Liberty −10.8 · o/u 52.4 | — | ||
| 13 | Nov 28 | vs 107Kennesaw StateCONF | Kennesaw State −2.6 · o/u 47.5 | — |
Team Stats
Hover an advanced stat for what it means. Box-score totals include FCS games and aren't opponent-adjusted
| Stat | Offense | FBS rank | Defense (allowed) | FBS rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPA · per play, garbage time excluded (CollegeFootballData.com) | ||||
| EPA / play | -0.191 | 138th | +0.600 | 138th |
| Success rate | 33.6% | 133rd | 54.2% | 138th |
| Explosiveness | 1.071 | 127th | 1.642 | 136th |
| Play-by-play advanced · garbage time excluded (computed from every play) | ||||
| Success rate | 33.8% | 133rd | 53.4% | 138th |
| Rushing success rate | 33.8% | 130th | 50.8% | 131st |
| Passing success rate | 33.8% | 126th | 56.4% | 137th |
| Explosive run rate | 4.6% | 136th | 18.0% | 123rd |
| Explosive pass rate | 4.1% | 134th | 20.4% | 137th |
| Line yards / carry | 2.12 | 137th | 3.80 | 138th |
| Opportunity rate | 35.4% | 108th | 44.3% | 126th |
| Stuff rate | 29.2% | 136th | 8.2% | 135th |
| Sack rate | 3.9% | 58th | 1.8% | 126th |
| 3rd-down conversion | 37.5% | 98th | 55.0% | 134th |
| Red-zone TD rate | 50.0% | 109th | 80.0% | 115th |
| Havoc rate | 16.2% | 116th | 6.9% | 137th |
| Box score · season totals | ||||
| Points / game | 11.3 | 136th | 52.3 | 138th |
| Yards / game | 259.3 | 135th | 497.3 | 136th |
| Yards / play | 3.49 | 138th | 8.02 | 138th |
| Pass yards / game | 146.0 | 127th | 234.0 | 101st |
| Yards / pass att. | 4.00 | 137th | 10.64 | 136th |
| Completion % | 54.1% | 131st | 66.7% | 116th |
| Rush yards / game | 113.3 | 122nd | 263.3 | 137th |
| Yards / carry | 3.10 | 130th | 6.70 | 137th |
| 3rd-down conv. % | 34.6% | 112th | 43.8% | 113th |
| Turnovers / game (lost · forced) | 2.33 | 126th | 1.00 | 79th |
| Sacks / game (allowed · made) | 2.00 | 88th | 0.67 | 127th |
| Penalty yards / game | 38.0 | 18th | 40.3 | 112th |
Roster
100 players · Head coach Tyson Helton
100 players
| # | Player | Pos▲ | Class | Ht | Wt | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Rodney Tisdale Jr. | QB | SO | 6' 2" | 195 | Jacksonville, FL |
| 10 | Caleb McMickle | QB | JR | 6' 2" | 194 | Roswell, GA |
| 11 | Brock Glenn | QB | JR | 6' 2" | 225 | Covington, TN |
| 15 | Cam O'Hara | QB | FR | 6' 2" | 210 | Florence, KY |
| 3 | Ajay Allen | RB | SR | 5' 11" | 200 | Monroe, LA |
| 9 | Kalib Hicks | RB | JR | 5' 11" | 220 | Denton, TX |
| 22 | Le'Kamren Meadows | RB | FR | 6' 0" | 215 | Moody, AL |
| 23 | Sincere Baines | RB | SR | 5' 9" | 195 | Fayetteville, NC |
| 25 | Jaden McGill | RB | SR | 6' 0" | 210 | Chicago, IL |
| 29 | Adrion Boyd | RB | JR | 5' 7" | 185 | Fontana, CA |
| 2 | K.D. Hutchinson | WR | SR | 5' 8" | 185 | Valley, AL |
| 4 | Cameron Flowers | WR | SO | 5' 11" | 190 | Warner Robins, GA |
| 7 | Qua'Vez Humphreys | WR | SR | 6' 3" | 225 | Junction City, KS |
| 8 | Moussa Barry | WR | SR | 6' 2" | 195 | Norcross, GA |
| 12 | Quincy Burroughs | WR | SR | 6' 1" | 210 | Jacksonville, FL |
| 13 | Jyziah Rockwell | WR | SR | 6' 2" | 200 | Gilmer, TX |
| 17 | Zion Taylor | WR | JR | 6' 0" | 210 | Norcross, GA |
| 18 | Devin Hamilton | WR | FR | 6' 4" | 210 | Dacula, GA |
| 21 | Nigel Johnson | WR | SR | 6' 5" | 200 | Sumter, SC |
| 24 | Fonzy Smith | WR | FR | 6' 1" | 185 | Fayetteville, NC |
| 80 | Jonathan Stafford Jr. | WR | FR | 5' 9" | 185 | Auburn, GA |
| 82 | Tre'Von Mcgory | WR | FR | 5' 11" | 175 | Memphis, TN |
| 84 | Jeremiah Carroll | WR | SR | 6' 0" | 180 | Atlanta, GA |
| 14 | CC Ezirim | TE | SR | 6' 7" | 250 | Dublin, OH |
| 19 | Lofton Howard | TE | JR | 6' 4" | 235 | Bowling Green, KY |
| 44 | Griffin Reimer | TE | SO | 6' 3" | 245 | Matthews, NC |
| 81 | Arlando Crafton Jr. | TE | FR | 6' 4" | 240 | Atlanta, GA |
| 87 | Coleson Arends | TE | JR | 6' 4" | 245 | Phoenix, AZ |
| 88 | Aiden Miller | TE | JR | 6' 3" | 235 | Glasgow, KY |
| 89 | Cross Nimmo | TE | FR | 6' 5" | 250 | Mentor, OH |
| 50 | Alec Johnson | OL | SR | 6' 1" | 295 | Columbia, SC |
| 52 | Isiah Stoudemire | OL | FR | 6' 3" | 312 | Dayton, OH |
| 55 | Roq Montgomery | OL | JR | 6' 3" | 365 | Anniston, AL |
| 56 | Tyrell Scott | OL | FR | 6' 3" | 295 | Cincinnati, OH |
| 59 | Alex Lopez | OL | FR | 6' 7" | 310 | Cleveland, MS |
| 64 | Jackson Dialls | OL | FR | 6' 4" | 310 | Lexington, KY |
| 67 | Tai Ray | OL | JR | 6' 7" | 330 | Apopka, FL |
| 69 | Jordan Curll | OL | FR | 6' 4" | 280 | Franklin, TN |
| 70 | Rhett Larson | OL | SR | 6' 4" | 315 | College Station, TX |
| 72 | Zach Clayton | OL | JR | 6' 5" | 320 | Senoia, GA |
| 73 | Nonso Omezi | OL | SR | 6' 5" | 340 | Houston, TX |
| 75 | Brody Riffe | OL | JR | 6' 8" | 315 | Ocoee, FL |
| 76 | Max Thurston | OL | SO | 6' 5" | 300 | Monroe, GA |
| 77 | Jamier Smith | OL | FR | 6' 3" | 298 | Riverdale, GA |
| 78 | Tyreek Major | OL | SO | 6' 5" | 325 | Tampa, FL |
| 79 | Asa Holbert | OL | FR | 6' 6" | 290 | Centre, AL |
| 13 | Latrevion Thompson | DE | SR | 6' 3" | 248 | Kennett, MO |
| 16 | Darius Hampton | DE | SR | 6' 3" | 238 | Del City, OK |
| 17 | Zsacari Minnis | DE | SO | 6' 3" | 238 | Eustis, FL |
| 41 | Brandon Thomas | DE | FR | 6' 4" | 224 | Miami, FL |
| 45 | Josaiah Knight | DE | SO | 6' 3" | 238 | Tallahassee, FL |
| 50 | Elin Jones | DE | SR | 6' 4" | 248 | Dacula, GA |
| 55 | Venson Sneed | DE | SR | 6' 4" | 268 | Wabasso, FL |
| 57 | Isaac Tanis | DE | FR | 6' 2" | 228 | Hollywood, FL |
| 59 | Sharlandiin Strange | DE | FR | 6' 4" | 244 | Philadelphia, PA |
| 90 | Bryce Fulda | DE | FR | 6' 4" | 244 | Bradenton, FL |
| 94 | Henry Smith | DE | FR | 6' 3" | 254 | Moody, AL |
| 98 | Nathan Gonzales | DE | SR | 6' 4" | 248 | Bell Gardens, CA |
| 0 | Mackavelli Malotumau | DT | SR | 6' 1" | 295 | Oceanside, CA |
| 33 | Zeiqui Lawton | DT | SR | 6' 2" | 290 | Charleston, WV |
| 52 | Jakeem Fletcher | DT | SR | 6' 2" | 315 | Tanner, AL |
| 53 | Elijah Peake | DT | FR | 6' 1" | 325 | Wetumpka, AL |
| 54 | Sekou Peters | DT | FR | 6' 2" | 300 | Atlanta, GA |
| 56 | Kiawan Murphy | DT | SR | 6' 2" | 320 | East Hartford, CT |
| 91 | Ceejay Embry | DT | FR | 6' 1" | 280 | Pahokee, FL |
| 92 | Javin Griffin | DT | SR | 6' 2" | 320 | Saint Martinville, LA |
| 93 | Rylen Su'a-Filo | DT | SR | 6' 1" | 320 | Orem, UT |
| 99 | Eric Etienne | DT | SO | 6' 1" | 305 | Miami, FL |
| 15 | Garrison Madden | LB | SR | 6' 3" | 235 | Hampton, GA |
| 18 | Geajorm Akpaloo | LB | JR | 6' 1" | 230 | Warrenton, VA |
| 20 | Zach Smith | LB | SO | 6' 0" | 224 | Red Oak, TX |
| 22 | Jordan Donald | LB | SO | 6' 2" | 224 | Perry, GA |
| 29 | Joshua Mensah | LB | SR | 6' 1" | 218 | Riverdale, GA |
| 32 | Westen Ard | LB | FR | 6' 1" | 235 | Warner Robins, GA |
| 34 | Makhi Brazier | LB | FR | 6' 1" | 225 | Loganville, GA |
| 35 | Elijah Rumph | LB | FR | 6' 0" | 220 | Eden Prairie, MN |
| 44 | Kai Micatrotto | LB | FR | 5' 11" | 238 | Las Vegas, NV |
| 2 | Tony Newsome Jr. | DB | SR | 5' 11" | 185 | Apopka, FL |
| 5 | Dave Herard | DB | SR | 6' 0" | 204 | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| 6 | Justin Brown | DB | JR | 6' 0" | 195 | Murfreesboro, TN |
| 7 | Jaylen Lewis | DB | SR | 5' 11" | 187 | Brownsville, TN |
| 10 | Xavion Griffin | DB | SO | 6' 0" | 190 | Vero Beach, FL |
| 11 | Canyon Moses | DB | JR | 5' 10" | 198 | Midland, TX |
| 12 | BJ Carey | DB | SR | 6' 0" | 200 | Downey, CA |
| 14 | Braxton Myers | DB | JR | 6' 1" | 203 | Coppell, TX |
| 19 | Jacob Cosby-Mosley | DB | SO | 5' 11" | 200 | West Palm Beach, FL |
| 23 | PJ Souffrant | DB | FR | 5' 10" | 180 | West Palm Beach, FL |
| 26 | Leonzay Merzius | DB | FR | 5' 10" | 175 | Pompano Beach, FL |
| 27 | Jordan Bergeron | DB | FR | 6' 1" | 185 | Naples, FL |
| 30 | Taron Essex | DB | FR | 6' 3" | 210 | Decatur, GA |
| 31 | Walter Manning | DB | SO | 5' 11" | 185 | Pembroke Pines, FL |
| 38 | Alan Gbee | DB | JR | 6' 0" | 195 | Leesburg, VA |
| 39 | Jaylen Pollard | DB | FR | 5' 11" | 208 | Brentwood, TN |
| 33 | Michael Smith | PK | SO | 5' 6" | 172 | Tallahassee, FL |
| 43 | Jackson Smith | PK | SR | 5' 10" | 215 | Danville, KY |
| 58 | Michael Buck | PK | SO | 5' 10" | 177 | Mooresville, NC |
| 99 | Karl Campbell | PK | FR | 6' 5" | 225 | Magherafelt, Northern Ireland |
| 40 | Carson Perusse | LS | JR | 5' 11" | 213 | Wellington, FL |
| 44 | Bailey Sanders | LS | SO | 5' 11" | 223 | Mooresville, NC |
| 49 | Nolan Imhoff | LS | JR | 5' 11" | 233 | Frederic, WI |
Updated Sep 24, 5:53 PM ET. Ratings are in points on a neutral field. Projected lines include — points of home field. Win chances and record odds allow for the ratings themselves being uncertain, most of all early in the season. All FBS power rankings →