Tops gear up for tough road matchup
Published 12:00 pm Sunday, October 19, 2025
Western Kentucky is looking for a bounce-back win after a disappointing loss when the Hilltoppers visit Conference USA rival Louisiana Tech for a mid-week matchup Tuesday night.
The Bulldogs have their own bad taste to try and cleanse after suffering a similarly rough loss their last time out.
WKU (5-2 overall, 3-1 CUSA) dropped a 25-6 home decision to FIU on Oct. 14, while Louisiana Tech (4-2, 2-1) is coming off a bye week after a stunning 35-7 loss at Kennesaw State on Oct. 9.
Both programs still have aspirations of reaching the CUSA championship game even after getting dinged the last time out, making Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. matchup at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana, a pivotal test. CBS Sports Network will broadcast the action.
Hilltoppers coach Tyson Helton is eager to see his team respond to last week’s loss to the Panthers.
“Going into last week’s game with FIU, fully understood what we were walking into,” Helton said. “We were walking into a game with a hungry football team. FIU knew they needed to get this win if they wanted to stay in it. I think it was very apparent in the game, how that game played out – and I don’t question were we ready to play, I don’t question our effort, I don’t question any of that. But that was a hungry football team that had to go get a win and they came out there and they did it.
“And so we have to be that team now. We have to go respond, knowing we are playing a football team in Louisiana Tech that is just like us. And so it should make for great football at the end of the day.”
FIU dealt with the Tops with an effective run game – 249 rushing yards – that allowed the Panthers to maintain possession for an edge of more than 9 minutes on on the game clock. When the Hilltoppers did have the ball, too often they created more trouble for themselves than success. Graduate senior Maverick McIvor, CUSA’s top passer this season, entered last Tuesday’s game having thrown just two interceptions. He threw three against FIU, including two in the red zone to kill promising drives.
“A lot of decision-making stuff we’ve got to clean up,” WKU offensive coordinator Rick Bowie said. “You just can’t press in those situations. Mav and I have talked a lot about that. You’ve got to let the game come to you and take what the defense gives you, and in those areas I think we pressed a little bit so we’ve got to get that decision-making fixed.”
The going won’t be any easier against the Bulldogs, who lead the conference in total defense (355.3 yards per game allowed) and scoring defense (17.2 points per game).
“A unique style of defense – they’re a three-down front, three-high safety – very multiple,” Helton said of LA Tech. “(They) mix up their coverages, make it confusing for quarterbacks. They lead the nation in turnovers and creating turnovers. They’re playing a good brand of football. They cover well – they do a lot of good things. They can get after the passer well, so it’ll be a big challenge for us offensively for sure.”
The Bulldogs have not been dynamic on offense, averaging just 311 yards per game (second to worst in CUSA). LA Tech hasn’t been bad putting points on the scoreboard, averaging 24.5 per game (fourth in CUSA), while WKU ranks second in the conference at 29.7 points per game.
“We’ve got to do a really great job defensively of giving our offense a lot of opportunities and possessions,” Helton said. “I think their offense does an excellent job of having very good, effective schemes. They play good, clean football on offense. The quarterback can run. They have good schemes. The two running backs are good, quality runners. And they keep the ball away from you.”
The Hilltoppers rank 10th in CUSA in total defense (403.1 yards per game) and continue to struggle mightily against the run. After last week’s loss to FIU, the Tops rank last in conference allowing 203.4 rushing yards per game.
“We’ve got to be better – it is what it is,” WKU co-defensive coordinator Davis Merritt said. “Everybody knows it. Until we do it consistently, it doesn’t matter. Because these guys do a great job of running the football. They’ve done it on everybody and we’ve got a huge challenge on Tuesday.”
Louisiana Tech dealt a damaging 12-7 loss to the Tops last season, hitting four field goals in the win. WKU did recover from that defeat to reach the CUSA championship game, a destination thinks his team can still reach this season.
“Going on the road this week against a very good Louisiana Tech team,” Helton said. “It will be a big challenge for our football team. Kind of like we are – I think both of us have two quality football teams, both of us had two tough losses, both of us looking to try to go get a big win. If you want to make a run, you’ve got to go on this road and be ready for a dogfight against a very good football team that I have a lot of respect for.”
