Hilltoppers at Bearkats

Game Summary

On October 14, 2026, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated the Sam Houston Bearkats 16-3 at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas. Karl Campbell made all three of his field-goal tries from 35, 39 and 33 yards, and the Hilltoppers held Sam Houston without a touchdown for their second straight Conference USA win.

Brock Glenn connected with Coleson Arends on a 23-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to cap an 11-play, 65-yard drive and give WKU a 7-0 lead. Campbell added a 35-yard field goal in the second quarter before Samuel Carpenter answered with a 42-yard kick for the Bearkats' only points. Campbell pushed the margin to 13-3 with a 39-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter.

Tony Newsome Jr. intercepted Landyn Locke and returned the pick 22 yards to set up Campbell's 33-yard field goal with 10:45 left in the fourth quarter. Glenn finished 14 of 30 for 127 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while leading the Hilltoppers with 54 rushing yards on 22 carries. Western Kentucky finished with 276 total yards and did not turn the ball over.

The Hilltoppers improved to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in Conference USA while limiting Sam Houston to 177 yards. Westen Ard led a defense that recorded three sacks and seven tackles for loss with 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks. The Bearkats fell to 1-5 and 0-2 in league play.