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Contents

   



(Top)
 


1 Schedule  





2 Game summaries  



2.1  UT Martin  





2.2  At Army  





2.3  Indiana  





2.4  At Michigan State  





2.5  UTSA  





2.6  At Old Dominion  





2.7  At FIU  





2.8  Charlotte  





2.9  Middle Tennessee  





2.10  At Rice  





2.11  Florida Atlantic  





2.12  At Marshall  





2.13  At UTSA (C-USA Championship)  





2.14  Vs. Appalachian State (Boca Raton Bowl)  







3 References  














2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team







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2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football

C-USA East Division champion
Boca Raton Bowl champion

C-USA Championship Game, L 41–49 vs. UTSA

Boca Raton Bowl, W 59–38 vs. Appalachian State

ConferenceConference USA
DivisionEast Division
Record9–5 (7–1 C-USA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorZach Kittley (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinatorBryan Ellis (3rd season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorMaurice Crum Jr. (2nd season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Conference USA football standings
  • t
  • e
  • Conf Overall
    Team   W   L     W   L  
    East Division
    Western Kentuckyxy   7 1     9 5  
    Marshall   5 3     7 6  
    Old Dominion   5 3     6 7  
    Middle Tennessee   4 4     7 6  
    Florida Atlantic   3 5     5 7  
    Charlotte   3 5     5 7  
    FIU   0 8     1 11  
    West Division
    UTSA xy$   7 1     12 2  
    UAB   6 2     9 4  
    North Texas   5 3     6 7  
    UTEP   4 4     7 6  
    Rice   3 5     4 8  
    Southern Miss   2 6     3 9  
    Louisiana Tech   2 6     3 9  
    Championship: UTSA 49, Western Kentucky 41
    • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • The 2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hilltoppers played their home games at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith StadiuminBowling Green, Kentucky, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (CUSA). The team was coached by third-year head coach Tyson Helton.

    Schedule[edit]

    Western Kentucky announced its 2021 football schedule on January 27, 2021.[1][2] The 2021 schedule consists of 6 home and 6 away games in the regular season.

    DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
    September 27:00 p.m.UT Martin*
  • Bowling Green, KY
  • ESPN+W 59–2116,236
    September 1111:00 a.m.atArmy*
  • West Point, NY
  • CBSSNL 35–3825,989
    September 257:00 p.m.Indiana*
    • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
  • CBSSNL 31–3325,171
    October 26:30 p.m.at No. 17Michigan State*
  • East Lansing, MI
  • FS1L 31–4870,075
    October 96:00 p.m.UTSA
    • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
  • StadiumL 46–5215,243
    October 162:30 p.m.atOld Dominion
  • Norfolk, VA
  • ESPN3W 43–2016,418
    October 236:00 p.m.atFIU
  • Miami, FL
  • ESPN+W 34–190
    October 303:00 p.m.Charlottedagger
    • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
  • ESPN+W 45–1316,763
    November 62:30 p.m.Middle Tennessee
    • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY (100 Miles of Hate)
  • StadiumW 48–2115,022
    November 131:00 p.m.atRice
  • Houston, TX
  • ESPN+W 42–2117,883
    November 2011:00 a.m.Florida Atlantic
    • Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
  • Bowling Green, KY
  • StadiumW 52–1710,477
    November 272:30 p.m.atMarshall
  • Huntington, WV
  • CBSSNW 53–2119,134
    December 36:00 p.m.at UTSA
    • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX (C-USA Championship Game)
  • CBSSNL 41–4941,148
    December 1810:00 a.m.vs. Appalachian State*
  • Boca Raton, FL (Boca Raton Bowl)
  • ESPNW 59–3815,429
    • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings released prior to game
  • All times are in Central time
  • Schedule Source:[1][3]

    Game summaries[edit]

    UT Martin[edit]

    Tennessee–Martin at Western Kentucky
    1 234Total
    Skyhawks 7 707 21
    Hilltoppers 7 211414 56
    • Date: September 2, 2021
    • Location: Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
      Bowling Green, KY
    • Game start: 7:05 p.m. CDT
    • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 32 minutes
    • Game attendance: 16,236
    • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Clear
    • Referee: Kevin Randle
    • TV announcers (ESPN+): Graham Doty (play-by-play) and Bob Belvin (analyst)
            
    Pregame line Over/under
    WKU –24.0 58.5
    Statistics UT Martin Western Kentucky
    First downs 22 25
    Total yards 396 587
    Rushing yards 201 109
    Passing yards 195 478
    Turnovers 2 1
    Time of possession 33:30 26:30
    Team Category Player Statistics
    UT Martin Passing Keon Howard 20/43, 195 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
    Rushing Peyton Logan 7 carries, 75 yards
    Receiving Colton Dowell 6 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 28/35, 424 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT
    Rushing Kye Robichaux 9 carries, 44 yards
    Receiving Jerreth Sterns 7 receptions, 107 yards, 2 TDs

    At Army[edit]

    Western Kentucky at Army
    1 234Total
    Hilltoppers 0 14021 35
    Black Knights 0 21710 38
            
    Pregame line Over/under
    ARMY –6.0 51.5
    Statistics Western Kentucky Army
    First downs 22 23
    Total yards 477 416
    Rushing yards 42 339
    Passing yards 435 77
    Turnovers 1 1
    Time of possession 20:22 39:38
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 28/40, 435 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
    Rushing Noah Whittington 8 carries, 33 yards
    Receiving Jerreth Sterns 9 receptions, 171 yards, 2 TDs
    Army Passing Christian Anderson 5/6, 77 yards, 1 TD
    Rushing Christian Anderson 22 carries, 119 yards
    Receiving Braheam Murphy 1 reception, 40 yards, 1 TD

    Indiana[edit]

    Indiana at Western Kentucky
    1 234Total
    Hoosiers 14 937 33
    Hilltoppers 0 14107 31
            
    Pregame line Over/under
    IU –9.5 63
    Statistics Indiana Western Kentucky
    First downs 35 24
    Total yards 507 458
    Rushing yards 134 93
    Passing yards 373 365
    Turnovers 0 0
    Time of possession 38:34 21:26
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Indiana Passing Michael Penix Jr. 35/53, 373 yards
    Rushing Stephen Carr 25 carries, 109 yards, 2 TDs
    Receiving Peyton Hendershot 7 receptions, 100 yards
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 31/44, 365 yards, 3 TDs
    Rushing Noah Whittington 6 carries, 41 yards
    Receiving Jerreth Sterns 7 receptions, 82 yards

    At Michigan State[edit]

    Western Kentucky at Michigan State
    1 234Total
    Hilltoppers 10 6015 31
    No. 17 Spartans 21 2133 48
              
    Pregame line Over/under
    MSU –10.5 66.5
    Statistics Western Kentucky Michigan State
    First downs 31 26
    Total yards 560 519
    Rushing yards 72 192
    Passing yards 488 327
    Turnovers 1 0
    Time of possession 29:35 30:25
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 46/64, 488 yards, 3 TDs
    Rushing Noah Whittington 7 carries, 37 yards
    Receiving Jerreth Sterns 17 receptions, 186 yards, 1 TD
    Michigan State Passing Payton Thorne 20/30, 327 yards, 1 TD
    Rushing Kenneth Walker III 24 carries, 126 yards, 3 TDs
    Receiving Jalen Nailor 8 receptions, 128 yards

    UTSA[edit]

    UTSA at Western Kentucky
    1 234Total
    Roadrunners 14 141410 52
    Hilltoppers 10 14139 46
                
    Pregame line Over/under
    WKU –3.5 71
    Statistics UTSA Western Kentucky
    First downs 32 35
    Total yards 564 670
    Rushing yards 192 147
    Passing yards 372 523
    Turnovers 2 2
    Time of possession 29:56 30:04
    Team Category Player Statistics
    UTSA Passing Frank Harris 28/38, 349 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT
    Rushing Sincere McCormick 23 carries, 120 yards
    Receiving De'Corian Clark 7 receptions, 160 yards, 3 TDs
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 38/60, 523 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
    Rushing Adam Cofield 9 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD
    Receiving Jerreth Sterns 16 receptions, 195 yards, 2 TDs

    At Old Dominion[edit]

    Western Kentucky at Old Dominion
    1 234Total
    Hilltoppers 14 16310 43
    Monarchs 0 3314 20
    • Date: October 16, 2021
    • Location: S.B. Ballard Stadium
      Norfolk, VA
    • Game start: 2:35 p.m. CDT
    • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
    • Game attendance: 16,418
    • Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Sunny
    • Referee: Kevin Vicknair
    • Television network: ESPN3
            
    Pregame line Over/under
    WKU –13.5 67
    Statistics Western Kentucky Old Dominion
    First downs 29 23
    Total yards 518 446
    Rushing yards 121 119
    Passing yards 397 327
    Turnovers 1 3
    Time of possession 30:39 29:21
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 36/54, 397 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
    Rushing Adam Cofield 10 carries, 67 yards
    Receiving Jerreth Sterns 13 receptions, 221 yards, 1 TD
    Old Dominion Passing Hayden Wolff 26/41, 327 yards, 2 INTs
    Rushing Blake Watson 22 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD
    Receiving Ali Jennings III 13 receptions, 172 yards

    At FIU[edit]

    Western Kentucky at Florida International
    1 234Total
    Hilltoppers 0 17710 34
    Panthers 6 607 19
    • Date: October 23, 2021
    • Location: Riccardo Silva Stadium
      University Park, FL
    • Game start: 7:28 p.m. CDT
    • Elapsed time: 2 hours and 24 minutes
    • Game attendance: 0
    • Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C) • Weather: Sunny
    • Referee: Patrick Foy
    • TV announcers (ESPN+): A. J. Ricketts (play–by–play) and Cam Lynch (analyst)
         
    Pregame line Over/under
    WKU –16.5 78
    Statistics Western Kentucky FIU
    First downs 31 18
    Total yards 530 290
    Rushing yards 148 28
    Passing yards 382 262
    Turnovers 1 0
    Time of possession 33:15 26:45
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 39/49, 382 yards, 3 TDs
    Rushing Adam Cofield 15 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD
    Receiving Jerreth Sterns 14 receptions, 115 yards, 2 TDs
    FIU Passing Max Bortenschlager 15/32, 192 yards, 1 TD
    Rushing D'Vonte Price 15 carries, 86 yards
    Receiving Randall St. Felix 5 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD

    Charlotte[edit]

    Charlotte at Western Kentucky
    1 234Total
    49ers 3 1000 13
    Hilltoppers 14 14710 45
    • Date: October 30, 2021
    • Location: Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
      Bowling Green, KY
    • Game start: 3:05 p.m. CDT
    • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 11 minutes
    • Game attendance: 16,763
    • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Wet and Cloudy
    • Referee: Scott Hardin
    • TV announcers (ESPN+): Nate Gatter (play–by–play) and Bob Belvin (analyst)
          
    Pregame line Over/under
    WKU –19.5 71.5
    Statistics Charlotte Western Kentucky
    First downs 17 29
    Total yards 319 469
    Rushing yards 190 76
    Passing yards 129 393
    Turnovers 2 2
    Time of possession 33:44 26:16
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Charlotte Passing James Foster 12/24, 129 yards, 1 INT
    Rushing Calvin Camp 7 carries, 60 yards
    Receiving Shadrick Byrd 1 reception, 53 yards
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 33/45, 393 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs
    Rushing Noah Whittington 10 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
    Receiving Jerreth Sterns 10 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD

    Middle Tennessee[edit]

    Middle Tennessee at Western Kentucky
    1 234Total
    Blue Raiders 7 707 21
    Hilltoppers 21 10170 48
           
    Pregame line Over/under
    WKU –17.5 66.5
    Statistics Middle Tennessee Western Kentucky
    First downs 19 19
    Total yards 349 352
    Rushing yards 123 71
    Passing yards 226 281
    Turnovers 7 0
    Time of possession 33:02 26:58
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Middle Tennessee Passing Nick Vattiato 24/41, 205 yards, 2 TDs, 5 INTs
    Rushing Frank Peasant 18 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD
    Receiving DJ England-Chisolm 3 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 29/50, 281 yards, 4 TDs
    Rushing Noah Whittington 17 carries, 67 yards
    Receiving Jerreth Sterns 11 receptions, 110 yards

    At Rice[edit]

    Western Kentucky at Rice
    1 234Total
    Hilltoppers 7 21014 42
    Owls 0 0714 21
    • Date: November 13, 2021
    • Location: Rice Stadium
      Houston, TX
    • Game start: 1:05 p.m. CST
    • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
    • Game attendance: 17,883
    • Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NE 7 MPH
    • Referee: Scott Hardin
    • TV announcers (ESPN+): David Saltzman (play–by–play) and Taylor McHargue (analyst)
         
    Pregame line Over/under
    WKU –19.0 61.5
    Statistics Western Kentucky Rice
    First downs 27 25
    Total yards 587 504
    Rushing yards 92 124
    Passing yards 495 380
    Turnovers 4 5
    Time of possession 24:20 35:40
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 34/42, 482 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
    Rushing Kye Robichaux 12 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD
    Receiving Mitchell Tinsley 10 receptions, 198 yards, 2 TDs
    Rice Passing Jake Constantine 28/50, 380 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs
    Rushing Ari Broussard 15 carries, 60 yards
    Receiving August Pitre III 9 receptions, 113 yards

    Florida Atlantic[edit]

    Florida Atlantic at Western Kentucky
    1 234Total
    Owls 3 770 17
    Hilltoppers 14 17714 52
           
    Pregame line Over/under
    WKU –11.5 64
    Statistics Florida Atlantic Western Kentucky
    First downs 18 35
    Total yards 301 608
    Rushing yards 25 100
    Passing yards 276 508
    Turnovers 3 3
    Time of possession 24:39 35:21
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Florida Atlantic Passing N'Kosi Perry 19/28, 213 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
    Rushing Johnny Ford 13 carries, 48 yards
    Receiving Je'Quan Burton 7 receptions, 80 yards
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 39/49, 470 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs
    Rushing Noah Whittington 9 carries, 46 yards
    Receiving Mitchell Tinsley 9 receptions, 164 yards, 2 TDs

    At Marshall[edit]

    Western Kentucky at Marshall
    1 234Total
    Hilltoppers 0 62324 53
    Thundering Herd 7 707 21
             
    Pregame line Over/under
    EVEN 75
    Statistics Western Kentucky Marshall
    First downs 25 20
    Total yards 485 325
    Rushing yards 157 126
    Passing yards 328 199
    Turnovers 0 2
    Time of possession 30:34 29:26
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 24/48, 328 yards, 4 TDs
    Rushing Noah Whittington 14 carries, 69 yards
    Receiving Daewood Davis 3 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TDs
    Marshall Passing Luke Zban 16/25, 123 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
    Rushing Rasheen Ali 24 carries, 99 yards
    Receiving Corey Gammage 7 receptions, 44 yards

    At UTSA (C-USA Championship)[edit]

    Western Kentucky at Texas–San Antonio
    1 234Total
    Hilltoppers 10 31315 41
    Roadrunners 14 14147 49
              
    Pregame line Over/under
    WKU –3.0 74.5
    Statistics Western Kentucky UTSA
    First downs 26 28
    Total yards 568 556
    Rushing yards -9 304
    Passing yards 577 252
    Turnovers 3 0
    Time of possession 23:16 36:44
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 36/59, 577 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs
    Rushing Noah Whittington 4 carries, 15 yards
    Receiving Jerreth Sterns 10 receptions, 179 yards, 2 TDs
    UTSA Passing Frank Harris 19/28, 218 yards, 2 TDs
    Rushing Sincere McCormick 36 carries, 204 yards, 3 TDs
    Receiving Zakhari Franklin 6 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD

    Vs. Appalachian State (Boca Raton Bowl)[edit]

    Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State
    1 234Total
    Hilltoppers 14 17217 59
    Mountaineers 14 1077 38
               
    Pregame line Over/under
    WKU –1.0 68
    Statistics Western Kentucky Appalachian State
    First downs 24 27
    Total yards 609 637
    Rushing yards 251 215
    Passing yards 358 422
    Turnovers 4 1
    Time of possession 31:12 28:48
    Team Category Player Statistics
    Western Kentucky Passing Bailey Zappe 33/47, 422 yards, 6 TD
    Rushing Noah Wittington 7 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD
    Receiving Jerreth Sterns 13 receptions, 184 yards, 3 TD
    Appalachian State Passing Chase Brice 15/23, 317 yards, 4 TD, INT
    Rushing Camerun Peoples 13 carries, 101 yards
    Receiving Christian Wells 4 receptions, 86 yards, 1 TD

    References[edit]

    1. ^ a b "WKU Football release their 2021 schedule". WBKO. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  • ^ "Hilltopper Football 2021 Full Schedule Released". Western Kentucky University Department of Athletics. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  • ^ "2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Football Schedule". FBSchedule. Retrieved January 30, 2021.

  • Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2021_Western_Kentucky_Hilltoppers_football_team&oldid=1225186710"

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