Hilltoppers’ finalized 2019 schedule features six home games, two Power 5 opponents

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WKU’s new head coach Tyson Helton (left) shares a smile with WKU athletic director Todd Stewart (right) during Helton’s first press conference as the new head coach of the Hilltoppers at the Harbaugh Club in Houchens-Smith Stadium Nov. 27 in Bowling Green. “It’s not about making championships,” Helton said. “Its about making champions.” Helton comes to WKU after working for Tennessee and Southern California.

Matt Stahl
January 10, 2019

WKU football released its 2019 schedule on Thursday, with all games currently scheduled to take place on Saturdays throughout the season and two scheduled bye weeks.

The Tyson Helton era will kick off on Aug. 31 at Houchens-Smith Stadium against Central Arkansas, a Football Championship Subdivision team that finished 6-5 in 2018. The next week will be the first Conference USA game at Florida International on Sept. 7, a matchup that the Panthers have won the past two seasons.

In Week 3, WKU will play Louisville at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, a rematch of last season’s game in which the Hilltoppers led for most of the way until the Cardinals snatched victory in the closing minutes. Louisville will be led by Scott Satterfield after the firing of former head coach Bobby Petrino.

After the first bye week, the Hilltoppers will play reigning C-USA champion Alabama-Birmingham in the programs’ first meeting since UAB reformed its football team. WKU will then head to Old Dominion on Oct. 5 to try to avenge last season’s home loss.

After a home matchup against Army, the Hilltoppers play three C-USA games in a row, a home game against Charlotte, on the road against Marshall and then, after a bye week, Florida Atlantic at home.

In the midst of conference play, the Hilltoppers will take on SEC opponent Arkansas on the road as part of a football-basketball series that the two schools agreed upon last year.

The regular season will close on Nov. 30 at home against Middle Tennessee State, who soundly beat the Hilltoppers in last season’s game.

You can see a list view of the Hilltoppers’ schedule below.

Aug. 31 – vs. Central Arkansas

Sept. 7 – at FIU

Sept. 14 – vs. Louisville (Nashville)

Sept. 28 – vs. UAB

Oct. 5 – at Old Dominion

Oct. 12 – vs. Army

Oct. 19 – vs. Charlotte

Oct. 26 – at Marshall

Nov. 2 – vs. Florida Atlantic

Nov. 9 – at Arkansas