The 2022 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University as a member of Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by head coach Tyson Helton, who was coaching his fourth season with the team. The Hilltoppers played their home games at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
The team was led on offense by quarterback Austin Reed who joined the team in 2022 via the NCAA transfer portal. Through the first two games, Reed had 550 passing yards, ranking third in the nation.
Preseason
C-USA media day The Conference USA media day was held on July 27 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Hilltoppers were represented by head coach Tyson Helton, tight end Joey Beljan, and defensive end Juwuan Jones. The Hilltoppers were predicted to finish third in the conference's preseason poll.
Roster
Schedule Western Kentucky and Conference USA announced the 2022 football schedule on March 30, 2022.
Game summaries
Austin Peay
Statistics APSUWKU First downs 19 19 Total yards 319 388 Rushing yards 163 108 Passing yards 156 280 Turnovers 4 1 Time of possession 32:39 27:31
Team Category Player StatisticsAustin Peay Passing Mike DiLiello 15/21, 156 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Josh Samuel 20 rushes, 77 yards Receiving Drae McCray 6 receptions, 90 yards, 2 TDWestern Kentucky Passing Austin Reed 20/34, 280 yards, 4 TD, INT Rushing Davion Ervin-Poindexter 15 rushes, 49 yards Receiving Daewood Davis 6 receptions, 124 yards, TD
At Hawaii
Statistics WKUHAW First downs 24 20 Total yards 412 360 Rushing yards 141 94 Passing yards 271 266 Turnovers 2 6 Time of possession 25:52 34:08
Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Austin Reed 22/31, 271 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Kye Robichaux 7 rushes, 49 yards, TD Receiving Daewood Davis 5 receptions, 78 yardsHawaii Passing Brayden Schager 22/33, 230 yards, 4 INT Rushing Nasjzae Bryant-Lelei 13 rushes, 64 yards, TD Receiving Jalen Walthall 3 receptions, 53 yards
At Indiana
Statistics WKUIU First downs 25 28 Total yards 545 484 Rushing yards 216 120 Passing yards 329 364 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 32:21 27:39
Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Austin Reed 33/43, 329 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Kye Robichaux 14 rushes, 135 yards Receiving Daewood Davis 5 receptions, 77 yards, TDIndiana Passing Connor Bazelak 33/55, 364 yards, 2 TD Rushing Josh Henderson 11 rushes, 65 yards, TD Receiving Cam Camper 8 receptions, 93 yards, TD
FIU
Statistics FIUWKU First downs 10 32 Total yards 180 688 Rushing yards 56 210 Passing yards 124 478 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 30:32 29:28
Team Category Player StatisticsFIU Passing Grayson James 13/23, 85 yards Rushing Lexington Joseph 15 rushes, 31 yards Receiving Nate Jefferson 4 receptions, 27 yardsWestern Kentucky Passing Austin Reed 29/35, 381 yards, 5 TD Rushing L. T. Sanders 4 rushes, 73 yards, TD Receiving Malachi Corley 3 receptions, 125 yards, 2 TD
Troy
At UTSA
At Middle Tennessee
UAB
Statistics UABWKU First downs 14 19 Total yards 327 352 Rushing yards 231 224 Passing yards 96 128 Turnovers 4 1 Time of possession 27:21 32:39
Team Category Player StatisticsUAB Passing Dylan Hopkins 2/2, 63 yards, TD Rushing DeWayne McBride 24 rushes, 200 yards Receiving Samario Rudolph 1 reception, 59 yards, TDWestern Kentucky Passing Austin Reed 14/23, 128 yards Rushing L. T. Sanders 16 rushes, 120 yards Receiving Malachi Corley 5 receptions, 77 yards
North Texas
Statistics UNTWKU First downs 25 23 Total yards 541 466 Rushing yards 196 146 Passing yards 345 320 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 29:05 30:55
Team Category Player StatisticsNorth Texas Passing Austin Aune 20/28, 322 yards, 3 TD Rushing Ayo Adeyi 10 rushes, 72 yards, TD Receiving Damon Ward Jr. 4 receptions, 101 yards, TDWestern Kentucky Passing Austin Reed 29/49, 320 yards, TD, INT Rushing L. T. Sanders 13 rushes, 76 yards Receiving Malachi Corley 8 receptions, 97 yards
At Charlotte
Sources:
Statistics WKUCHAR First downs 25 22 Total yards 592 384 Rushing yards 131 161 Passing yards 461 223 Turnovers 0 3 Time of possession 20:26 39:34
Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Austin Reed 23–38, 409 yards, 6 TD Rushing Davion Ervin-Poindexter 3 rushes, 49 yards Receiving Malachi Corley 6 receptions, 162 yards, 1 TDCharlotte Passing Chris Reynolds 17–27, 196 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing James Martin III 16 rushes, 85 yards Receiving Grant DuBose 7 receptions, 88 yards
Rice
At Auburn
At Florida Atlantic
South Alabama (New Orleans Bowl)
References