Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                

2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

The 2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hilltoppers played their home games at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (CUSA). The team was coached by third-year head coach Tyson Helton.

2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
C-USA East Division champion
Boca Raton Bowl champion
ConferenceConference USA
DivisionEast Division
Record9–5 (7–1 C-USA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorZach Kittley (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinatorBryan Ellis (3rd season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorMaurice Crum Jr. (2nd season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Conference USA football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Western Kentucky xy   7 1     9 5  
Marshall   5 3     7 6  
Old Dominion   5 3     6 7  
Middle Tennessee   4 4     7 6  
Florida Atlantic   3 5     5 7  
Charlotte   3 5     5 7  
FIU   0 8     1 11  
West Division
UTSA xy$   7 1     12 2  
UAB   6 2     9 4  
North Texas   5 3     6 7  
UTEP   4 4     7 6  
Rice   3 5     4 8  
Southern Miss   2 6     3 9  
Louisiana Tech   2 6     3 9  
Championship: UTSA 49, Western Kentucky 41
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant

Schedule

edit

Western Kentucky announced its 2021 football schedule on January 27, 2021.[1][2] The 2021 schedule consists of 6 home and 6 away games in the regular season.

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 27:00 p.m.UT Martin*ESPN+W 59–2116,236
September 1111:00 a.m.at Army*CBSSNL 35–3825,989
September 257:00 p.m.Indiana*
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
CBSSNL 31–3325,171
October 26:30 p.m.at No. 17 Michigan State*FS1L 31–4870,075
October 96:00 p.m.UTSA
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
StadiumL 46–5215,243
October 162:30 p.m.at Old DominionESPN3W 43–2016,418
October 236:00 p.m.at FIUESPN+W 34–190
October 303:00 p.m.Charlotte 
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
ESPN+W 45–1316,763
November 62:30 p.m.Middle Tennessee
StadiumW 48–2115,022
November 131:00 p.m.at RiceESPN+W 42–2117,883
November 2011:00 a.m.Florida Atlantic
  • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
StadiumW 52–1710,477
November 272:30 p.m.at MarshallCBSSNW 53–2119,134
December 36:00 p.m.at UTSA
CBSSNL 41–4941,148
December 1810:00 a.m.vs. Appalachian State*ESPNW 59–3815,429
Schedule Source:[1][3]

Game summaries

edit

UT Martin

edit
Tennessee–Martin at Western Kentucky
1 234Total
Skyhawks 7 707 21
Hilltoppers 7 211414 56
        
Pregame line Over/under
WKU –24.0 58.5[4]
Statistics UT Martin Western Kentucky
First downs 22 25
Total yards 396 587
Rushing yards 201 109
Passing yards 195 478
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 33:30 26:30
Team Category Player Statistics
UT Martin Passing Keon Howard 20/43, 195 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Peyton Logan 7 carries, 75 yards
Receiving Colton Dowell 6 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 28/35, 424 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Kye Robichaux 9 carries, 44 yards
Receiving Jerreth Sterns 7 receptions, 107 yards, 2 TDs

At Army

edit
Western Kentucky at Army
1 234Total
Hilltoppers 0 14021 35
Black Knights 0 21710 38
        
Pregame line Over/under
ARMY –6.0 51.5[5]
Statistics Western Kentucky Army
First downs 22 23
Total yards 477 416
Rushing yards 42 339
Passing yards 435 77
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 20:22 39:38
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 28/40, 435 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Noah Whittington 8 carries, 33 yards
Receiving Jerreth Sterns 9 receptions, 171 yards, 2 TDs
Army Passing Christian Anderson 5/6, 77 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Christian Anderson 22 carries, 119 yards
Receiving Braheam Murphy 1 reception, 40 yards, 1 TD

Indiana

edit
Indiana at Western Kentucky
1 234Total
Hoosiers 14 937 33
Hilltoppers 0 14107 31
        
Pregame line Over/under
IU –9.5 63[6]
Statistics Indiana Western Kentucky
First downs 35 24
Total yards 507 458
Rushing yards 134 93
Passing yards 373 365
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 38:34 21:26
Team Category Player Statistics
Indiana Passing Michael Penix Jr. 35/53, 373 yards
Rushing Stephen Carr 25 carries, 109 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Peyton Hendershot 7 receptions, 100 yards
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 31/44, 365 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Noah Whittington 6 carries, 41 yards
Receiving Jerreth Sterns 7 receptions, 82 yards

At Michigan State

edit
Western Kentucky at Michigan State
1 234Total
Hilltoppers 10 6015 31
No. 17 Spartans 21 2133 48
          
Pregame line Over/under
MSU –10.5 66.5[7]
Statistics Western Kentucky Michigan State
First downs 31 26
Total yards 560 519
Rushing yards 72 192
Passing yards 488 327
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 29:35 30:25
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 46/64, 488 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Noah Whittington 7 carries, 37 yards
Receiving Jerreth Sterns 17 receptions, 186 yards, 1 TD
Michigan State Passing Payton Thorne 20/30, 327 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Kenneth Walker III 24 carries, 126 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving Jalen Nailor 8 receptions, 128 yards

UTSA

edit
UTSA at Western Kentucky
1 234Total
Roadrunners 14 141410 52
Hilltoppers 10 14139 46
            
Pregame line Over/under
WKU –3.5 71[8]
Statistics UTSA Western Kentucky
First downs 32 35
Total yards 564 670
Rushing yards 192 147
Passing yards 372 523
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 29:56 30:04
Team Category Player Statistics
UTSA Passing Frank Harris 28/38, 349 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Sincere McCormick 23 carries, 120 yards
Receiving De'Corian Clark 7 receptions, 160 yards, 3 TDs
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 38/60, 523 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Adam Cofield 9 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jerreth Sterns 16 receptions, 195 yards, 2 TDs

At Old Dominion

edit
Western Kentucky at Old Dominion
1 234Total
Hilltoppers 14 16310 43
Monarchs 0 3314 20
  • Date: October 16, 2021
  • Location: S.B. Ballard Stadium
    Norfolk, VA
  • Game start: 2:35 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
  • Game attendance: 16,418
  • Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Sunny
  • Referee: Kevin Vicknair
  • Television network: ESPN3
        
Pregame line Over/under
WKU –13.5 67[9]
Statistics Western Kentucky Old Dominion
First downs 29 23
Total yards 518 446
Rushing yards 121 119
Passing yards 397 327
Turnovers 1 3
Time of possession 30:39 29:21
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 36/54, 397 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Adam Cofield 10 carries, 67 yards
Receiving Jerreth Sterns 13 receptions, 221 yards, 1 TD
Old Dominion Passing Hayden Wolff 26/41, 327 yards, 2 INTs
Rushing Blake Watson 22 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Ali Jennings III 13 receptions, 172 yards

At FIU

edit
Western Kentucky at Florida International
1 234Total
Hilltoppers 0 17710 34
Panthers 6 607 19
  • Date: October 23, 2021
  • Location: Riccardo Silva Stadium
    University Park, FL
  • Game start: 7:28 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 2 hours and 24 minutes
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C) • Weather: Sunny
  • Referee: Patrick Foy
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): A. J. Ricketts (play–by–play) and Cam Lynch (analyst)
     
Pregame line Over/under
WKU –16.5 78[10]
Statistics Western Kentucky FIU
First downs 31 18
Total yards 530 290
Rushing yards 148 28
Passing yards 382 262
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 33:15 26:45
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 39/49, 382 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Adam Cofield 15 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jerreth Sterns 14 receptions, 115 yards, 2 TDs
FIU Passing Max Bortenschlager 15/32, 192 yards, 1 TD
Rushing D'Vonte Price 15 carries, 86 yards
Receiving Randall St. Felix 5 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD

Charlotte

edit
Charlotte at Western Kentucky
1 234Total
49ers 3 1000 13
Hilltoppers 14 14710 45
  • Date: October 30, 2021
  • Location: Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
    Bowling Green, KY
  • Game start: 3:05 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 11 minutes
  • Game attendance: 16,763
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Wet and Cloudy
  • Referee: Scott Hardin
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Nate Gatter (play–by–play) and Bob Belvin (analyst)
      
Pregame line Over/under
WKU –19.5 71.5[11]
Statistics Charlotte Western Kentucky
First downs 17 29
Total yards 319 469
Rushing yards 190 76
Passing yards 129 393
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 33:44 26:16
Team Category Player Statistics
Charlotte Passing James Foster 12/24, 129 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Calvin Camp 7 carries, 60 yards
Receiving Shadrick Byrd 1 reception, 53 yards
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 33/45, 393 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Noah Whittington 10 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jerreth Sterns 10 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD

Middle Tennessee

edit
Middle Tennessee at Western Kentucky
1 234Total
Blue Raiders 7 707 21
Hilltoppers 21 10170 48
       
Pregame line Over/under
WKU –17.5 66.5[12]
Statistics Middle Tennessee Western Kentucky
First downs 19 19
Total yards 349 352
Rushing yards 123 71
Passing yards 226 281
Turnovers 7 0
Time of possession 33:02 26:58
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing Nick Vattiato 24/41, 205 yards, 2 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing Frank Peasant 18 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD
Receiving DJ England-Chisolm 3 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 29/50, 281 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing Noah Whittington 17 carries, 67 yards
Receiving Jerreth Sterns 11 receptions, 110 yards

At Rice

edit
Western Kentucky at Rice
1 234Total
Hilltoppers 7 21014 42
Owls 0 0714 21
  • Date: November 13, 2021
  • Location: Rice Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 1:05 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
  • Game attendance: 17,883
  • Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NE 7 MPH
  • Referee: Scott Hardin
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): David Saltzman (play–by–play) and Taylor McHargue (analyst)
     
Pregame line Over/under
WKU –19.0 61.5[13]
Statistics Western Kentucky Rice
First downs 27 25
Total yards 587 504
Rushing yards 92 124
Passing yards 495 380
Turnovers 4 5
Time of possession 24:20 35:40
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 34/42, 482 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Kye Robichaux 12 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Mitchell Tinsley 10 receptions, 198 yards, 2 TDs
Rice Passing Jake Constantine 28/50, 380 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs
Rushing Ari Broussard 15 carries, 60 yards
Receiving August Pitre III 9 receptions, 113 yards

Florida Atlantic

edit
Florida Atlantic at Western Kentucky
1 234Total
Owls 3 770 17
Hilltoppers 14 17714 52
       
Pregame line Over/under
WKU –11.5 64[14]
Statistics Florida Atlantic Western Kentucky
First downs 18 35
Total yards 301 608
Rushing yards 25 100
Passing yards 276 508
Turnovers 3 3
Time of possession 24:39 35:21
Team Category Player Statistics
Florida Atlantic Passing N'Kosi Perry 19/28, 213 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Johnny Ford 13 carries, 48 yards
Receiving Je'Quan Burton 7 receptions, 80 yards
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 39/49, 470 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Noah Whittington 9 carries, 46 yards
Receiving Mitchell Tinsley 9 receptions, 164 yards, 2 TDs

At Marshall

edit
Western Kentucky at Marshall
1 234Total
Hilltoppers 0 62324 53
Thundering Herd 7 707 21
         
Pregame line Over/under
EVEN 75[15]
Statistics Western Kentucky Marshall
First downs 25 20
Total yards 485 325
Rushing yards 157 126
Passing yards 328 199
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 30:34 29:26
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 24/48, 328 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing Noah Whittington 14 carries, 69 yards
Receiving Daewood Davis 3 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TDs
Marshall Passing Luke Zban 16/25, 123 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Rasheen Ali 24 carries, 99 yards
Receiving Corey Gammage 7 receptions, 44 yards

At UTSA (C-USA Championship)

edit
Western Kentucky at Texas–San Antonio
1 234Total
Hilltoppers 10 31315 41
Roadrunners 14 14147 49
          
Pregame line Over/under
WKU –3.0 74.5[16]
Statistics Western Kentucky UTSA
First downs 26 28
Total yards 568 556
Rushing yards -9 304
Passing yards 577 252
Turnovers 3 0
Time of possession 23:16 36:44
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 36/59, 577 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Noah Whittington 4 carries, 15 yards
Receiving Jerreth Sterns 10 receptions, 179 yards, 2 TDs
UTSA Passing Frank Harris 19/28, 218 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Sincere McCormick 36 carries, 204 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving Zakhari Franklin 6 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Appalachian State (Boca Raton Bowl)

edit
Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State
1 234Total
Hilltoppers 14 17217 59
Mountaineers 14 1077 38
           
Pregame line Over/under
WKU –1.0 68[17]
Statistics Western Kentucky Appalachian State
First downs 24 27
Total yards 609 637
Rushing yards 251 215
Passing yards 358 422
Turnovers 4 1
Time of possession 31:12 28:48
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 33/47, 422 yards, 6 TD
Rushing Noah Wittington 7 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jerreth Sterns 13 receptions, 184 yards, 3 TD
Appalachian State Passing Chase Brice 15/23, 317 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing Camerun Peoples 13 carries, 101 yards
Receiving Christian Wells 4 receptions, 86 yards, 1 TD

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "WKU Football release their 2021 schedule". WBKO. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  2. ^ "Hilltopper Football 2021 Full Schedule Released". Western Kentucky University Department of Athletics. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  3. ^ "2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Football Schedule". FBSchedule. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  4. ^ "Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  5. ^ "WKU Hilltoppers vs Army Black Knights". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  6. ^ "Indiana Hoosiers vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  7. ^ "WKU Hilltoppers vs Michigan State Spartans". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "UTSA Roadrunners vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  9. ^ "WKU Hilltoppers vs Old Dominion Monarchs". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  10. ^ "WKU Hilltoppers vs FIU Panthers". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  11. ^ "Charlotte 49ers vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  12. ^ "Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  13. ^ "WKU Hilltoppers vs Rice Owls". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  14. ^ "Florida Atlantic Owls vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  15. ^ "WKU Hilltoppers vs Marshall Thundering Herd". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  16. ^ "WKU Hilltoppers vs UTSA Roadrunners". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  17. ^ "WKU Hilltoppers vs Appalachian State Mountaineers". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 18, 2021.