WKU Football put a bow on its spring preparations for the upcoming season Saturday with the 2025 Red and White Spring Showcase.
“It was good competition today,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “It was good to see the offense come out. Had a hot hand, scored early and got momentum. The defense came up with some critical third-down stops. That was good to see. A lot of players played and we got a lot of evaluation today. It was a good ending to a very successful spring.”
Abilene Christian transfer quarterback Maverick McIvor led Hilltoppers offensively, leading five drives that all ended in touchdowns, four of which were passing. He showed comfortability earlier on, stretching the defense on intermediate to deep-level passes. His main target was redshirt junior wide receiver Moussa Barry, who caught multiple catches and one touchdown.
“I think we finally put a great day together,” McIvor said. “We went five-for-five on the offensive side so we felt really confident. Finally feeling confident in the pocket. The playbook is starting to slow down for me, for us, and we’re starting to put good days back to back.”
McIvor’s other primary target was redshirt freshman wide receiver Cameron Flowers. The two established a quick connection with redshirt junior wide receiver K.D. Hutchinson absent from the game. Flowers, who was named the Spring Offensive Most Improved Player, caught two touchdowns from McIvor.
“First, I’d like to thank my teammates for putting me in position,” Flowers said. “(McIvor) had a great day too. The OC (Rick Bowie) called great plays and tried to get me open and we just executed. If you put it in the air, I gotta go get it.”
On the defensive side, the Hilltoppers forced three turnovers – one fumble recovery and two interceptions.
How It Happened
The Hilltoppers switched up the attire from last season, with all offense, defense and special teams rocking black pants. The offense wore red jerseys while the defense wore white jerseys. Quarterbacks and special teams players wore black jerseys. All offensive and defensive players wore bubble caps. The Spring Showcase returned to a tackle format after last season’s showcase was two-hand touch.
McIvor started for the offense in the showcase, leading a scoring drive that ended with an 8-yard touchdown throw to redshirt junior wide receiver Moussa Barry.
Freshman quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. led the next two Hilltopper drives, both of which ended in turnover-on-downs. McIvor returned and led another scoring drive that was capped off by a 31-yard touchdown pass to Flowers.
Redshirt quarterback Tucker Parks also gained reps during the showcase. His first two drives resulted in a turnover-on-downs. McIvor drove the Hilltoppers down the field including a big gain that put WKU on the goalline on a pass to redshirt sophomore tight end Noah Meyers. Redshirt senior running back George Hart III capitalized, finding the endzone on a 3-yard touchdown run.
Parks led a long drive, aided by catches and runs from redshirt freshman running back Javon McMahan. The drive stalled out, leading to a field goal from redshirt senior Kicker John Cannon. McIvor threw his third touchdown of the day, finding Meyers, who took a catch and run for 18 yards.
The Hilltopper defense recorded numerous sacks and tackles for loss, but the biggest part of its day came on a pair of turnovers. On back-to-back drives, the defense forced a fumble, then redshirt junior defensive back Jaylen Lewis picked off a pass from Tisdale Jr. McIvor threw his fourth and final touchdown of the day, finding Flowers for the second time for a 14-yard touchdown.
The spring game ended with an interception by redshirt freshman defensive Xavion “Tutu” Griffin.
No stats were recorded, but a final score was kept, the offense prevailing 28-10 over the defense.
Sports Reporter Michael Givner Jr. can be reached at michael.givner589@topper.wku.edu.
