WKU Football looks to start the season off right as they host Sam Houston at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday.
The Hilltoppers’ week zero matchup is the earliest in school history and the first time since 2016 that the team has opened the season against a conference opponent.
Quarterback Maverick McIvor is set to start against Sam Houston. During his time at Abilene Christian, McIvor threw for 8,012 yards and 63 touchdowns with just 21 interceptions.
New offensive coordinator Rick Bowie came with McIvor after a successful stint at Abilene Christian.
“Having an offensive coordinator in Rick Bowie, and then having Maverick that have worked together, gives you something to lean on,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “Especially in an early game, you’d like to have some stability there.”
Sam Houston comes to the Hill for its opener with a first-year head coach, former Wisconsin Offensive Coordinator Phill Longo. For his single year in Madison, Badger quarterbacks threw for 2,862 yards and just five interceptions.
Redshirt senior quarterback Hunter Watson is expected to make the week one start for the Bearkat offense. Watson started 12 games at quarterback for the Bearkats in 2024, completing 176 of 282 passes for 1,811 yards, 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
In 2024-25, the Bearkat defense gave up the fewest yards per game in CUSA, with 20.5, and only gave up 33 touchdowns.
The Bearkats had a successful 2024 campaign, going 10-3 with a win in the New Orleans Bowl.
“Sam Houston is going to be a really good football team,” Helton said. “Offensively, they have a lot of firepower; it’s going to be a tremendous challenge for our defense right out of the gate.”
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and the game can be watched on ESPN+.
