Bowling Green, Kentucky, August 25, 2025

News Summary

In their season opener, the Sam Houston Bearkats lost to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 41-24, under new head coach Phil Longo. Despite a strong 2024 season, the Bearkats struggled in the first game of the Conference USA season. Quarterback Hunter Watson had notable performances, but the bearcats could not maintain their lead against Western Kentucky, who showed dominance with an impressive scoring advantage. Upcoming, the Bearkats will face UNLV as they aim to recover from this setback.

Bowling Green, Kentucky

The Sam Houston Bearkats began their 2025 season on a challenging note, losing to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 41-24 in their match-up on Saturday. This contest marked the Bearkats’ first game under new head coach Phil Longo during Week 0 of the Conference USA season.

Coming off a successful 2024 season with a record of 10-3, the Bearkats were eager to continue their momentum. They finished tied for second in Conference USA with Western Kentucky, both teams having an in-conference record of 6-2. The Bearkats also held a strong 4-2 record on the road during the previous year, suggesting they could be competitive away from home.

In stark contrast, the Hilltoppers concluded the 2024 season with an 8-6 record. They came into the game with a significant scoring advantage over their conference opponents, having outscored them by 82 points. Historically, Western Kentucky has performed well in home games, finishing 5-1 at home in 2024 and never losing their last four home openers. The all-time record between these two teams now stands at 2-0 in favor of Western Kentucky.

The match kicked off at 7 p.m. ET at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Western Kentucky was a clear favorite to win the game, opening as a ten-point favorite, while the over/under for total points was set at 60.5. The money line was also in favor of the Hilltoppers, with -380 indicating the risk to earn a return of $100 on a $380 bet, while the Bearkats were offered at +298.

This season opener showcased the talents of Western Kentucky’s senior transfer quarterback Maverick McIvor, who previously played at Western Kentucky and was instrumental in the game. He completed 33 of 51 passes for a total of 401 yards, threw three touchdown passes, and also added a rushing touchdown. McIvor’s standout performance was complemented by receiver Matthew Henry, who caught seven passes for 148 yards and one touchdown.

For the Bearkats, quarterback Hunter Watson completed 19 of 30 passes for 209 yards while also rushing for 91 yards and one touchdown. Senior running back Alton McCaskill contributed significantly to the Bearkats’ effort, scoring a touchdown. One memorable moment in the game occurred during the first drive of the third quarter when McCaskill recorded a 52-yard gain, leading to a two-yard touchdown run that briefly put Sam Houston ahead 24-20 after Jamair Diaz scored on a defensive touch down with a 43-yard scoop and score.

Despite the brief lead, Western Kentucky responded strongly, scoring 14 unanswered points to reclaim and maintain the lead, ultimately sealing their victory. A key factor in the game’s outcome was the efficiency on third downs; the Hilltoppers converted 11 of their 19 attempts, while the Bearkats struggled at only 2 of 14.

Looking ahead, Sam Houston will aim to bounce back in their next game against UNLV, scheduled for Friday at 8:30 p.m. at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. Notably, the Bearkats fielded ten newcomers among the 22 starters in this opening game, which may have contributed to the team’s struggles.

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Additional Resources

• CBS Sports: Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky Prediction
• Underdog Dynasty: McIvor Fires for 401 in WKU Debut
• WDRB: Maverick McIvor Accounts for 4 Touchdowns
• KBTX: Bearkat Football Falls to Hilltoppers Week One
• Oregon Live: Where to Watch Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky
• Wikipedia: Sam Houston State Bearkats Football
• Google Search: Sam Houston Bearkats football 2025

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