You’re looking for the west kentucky football score, and if you missed the latest, the Hilltoppers just wrapped up their 2025 campaign with a statement win in the postseason. They took down Southern Miss 27-16 in the New Orleans Bowl. Honestly, it was a weird game. WKU trailed 13-6 at the half and looked kinda sluggish. But Tyson Helton’s squad has this habit of waking up when the lights get brightest.
Senior quarterback Maverick McIvor, who hadn’t seen the field since mid-October due to injury, came off the bench in the second half. He basically saved the day. He threw for 199 yards and added a rushing touchdown, reminding everyone why he was the starter before things got messy with injuries.
Why the Jax State Game Still Stings
A lot of fans are still searching for that Jacksonville State score from the regular-season finale. That one was a heartbreaker. WKU lost 37-34 on a 28-yard field goal as time expired.
If they win that game, they’re playing for a Conference USA title. Instead, they finished the regular season 8-4. It was a high-scoring affair where La’Vell Wright ran for 116 yards and two scores, but the defense just couldn't get that final stop. Garrison Rippa, the Jax State kicker, basically ended the Hilltoppers' championship dreams with that one swing of his leg.
The 2025 Season at a Glance
It’s been a rollercoaster. They started strong, went through a mid-season slump, and then fought like crazy at the end.
📖 Related: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
WKU finished the year 9-4 overall.
In Conference USA play, they went 6-2.
The most impressive part? They almost pulled off a massive upset against LSU in Death Valley back in late November. They lost 13-10, which sounds like a baseball score, but it was actually a defensive masterclass. Holding an SEC powerhouse to 13 points in their own stadium is the kind of thing that doesn't show up in the "win" column but definitely shows up in the recruiting pitches.
Understanding the West Kentucky Football Score Trends
If you've been following the scores all year, you noticed a shift in identity. WKU is known for that "Air Raid" offense, but this year they actually found a ground game.
👉 See also: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
Against Middle Tennessee in the "100 Miles of Hate" rivalry, they dropped 42 points. It wasn't just passing, though. They were physical. They dominated the line of scrimmage. That 42-26 victory was probably the peak of their regular season performance.
- They beat Sam Houston 41-24 to open the year.
- They crushed North Alabama 55-6.
- They took a weird loss to Toledo (45-21) that had people worried early on.
Then came the "Tuesday Night CUSA-tion" games. Those mid-week games are always chaotic. They scraped by Louisiana Tech 28-27 in overtime. That game was pure stress. A missed extra point or a fumbled snap, and their season looks completely different.
Breaking Down the New Orleans Bowl Win
The final west kentucky football score of the 2025-2026 cycle—27-16 over Southern Miss—is a perfect microcosm of Tyson Helton’s tenure.
They played messy early.
They made adjustments.
They relied on a veteran leader.
✨ Don't miss: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
Marvis Parrish sealed the deal with a 54-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. When he hit the secondary and realized nobody was catching him, the WKU sideline erupted. It was a cathartic moment for a team that felt they were better than their 8-4 regular-season record suggested.
What to Watch for Next
Now that the season is officially in the books, the focus shifts to the transfer portal and the 2026 roster.
With McIvor likely moving on, the quarterback room is wide open. Rodney Tisdale Jr. got some starts as a freshman and showed flashes of being "the guy," but he struggled in the first half of the bowl game before McIvor took over.
The defense is also losing some key pieces in the secondary. Da'Von Brown’s defensive unit was the unsung hero of the LSU and Southern Miss games, but they’ll need to reload fast if they want to compete with the likes of Liberty and Kennesaw State next year.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season, keep an eye on the spring practice reports starting in March. The coaching staff is expected to be aggressive in the portal for offensive line depth. You can check the official WKU Sports site for the finalized spring schedule.
For those looking to grab tickets or gear for the next season, the athletic department usually drops the new schedule in February. Expect at least one high-profile non-conference road trip that will test them early.