Sam Houston Bearkats 23–28 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: Final Score & Recap | Week 12, 2023

Quick answer

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated Sam Houston Bearkats 28–23 in Week 12, 2023. Final score: Sam Houston Bearkats 23, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 28.

Game summary

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers edged Sam Houston Bearkats 28–23 in Week 12 of the 2023 season.

Scoring: 7 touchdowns, 1 field goal across 8 plays.
Passing leader: Austin Reed (Western Kentucky) — 386.0 pass yds, 3 TD, +0.17 EPA/play.
Rushing leader: Elijah Young — 57.0 yds.
Receiving leader: Noah Smith — 10 rec, 117.0 yds.
EPA edge: Western Kentucky (-0.045/play) vs Sam Houston (-0.160/play).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Sam Houston Bearkats	0	15	6	0	23
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers	6	12	0	6	28

Scoring Map

Each pin marks a score on the field — TDs in the end zone, field goals near the kick line.

SHSUSam Houston Bearkats

+3OPP 36

WKUWestern Kentucky Hilltoppers

FantasyHQ CFB Analytics

Scoring timeline

8 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

Western Kentucky
Q1TD
DSDalvin Smith
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
0-6
Austin Reed pass to Dalvin Smith for a touchdown (45 yards)
Sam Houston
Q2TD
NSNoah Smith
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
6-6
Keegan Shoemaker pass to Noah Smith for a touchdown (42 yards)
Sam Houston
Q2TD
AMAdrian Murdaugh
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
12-6
Adrian Murdaugh rushes 1 yard for a touchdown
Western Kentucky
Q2TD
MSMarkese Stepp
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
12-12
Markese Stepp rushes 3 yards for a touchdown
Western Kentucky
Q2TD
CBCraig Burt Jr.
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
12-18
Austin Reed pass to Craig Burt Jr. for a touchdown (26 yards)
Sam Houston
Q2FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 36
Score
15-18
Field goal good from 53 yards
Sam Houston
Q3TD
JGJohn Gentry
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
21-18
John Gentry rushes 7 yards for a touchdown
Western Kentucky
Q4TD
MCMalachi Corley
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
21-24
Austin Reed pass to Malachi Corley for a touchdown (75 yards)

Stars of the game

Top passers, rushers, and receivers from cfbfastR play-by-play.

Passing

Austin Reed (Western Kentucky) — 386.0 yds · 3 TD · +0.17 EPA/play +7.03 EPA
Keegan Shoemaker (Sam Houston) — 236.0 yds · 1 TD · -0.20 EPA/play -8.87 EPA

Rushing

Elijah Young (Western Kentucky) — 57.0 yds -0.17 EPA
John Gentry (Sam Houston) — 47.0 yds · 1 TD -0.11 EPA
Keegan Shoemaker (Sam Houston) — 52.0 yds -0.08 EPA

Receiving

Noah Smith (Sam Houston) — 10 rec · 117.0 yds +0.37 EPA
Malachi Corley (Western Kentucky) — 10 rec · 171.0 yds +1.30 EPA
Craig Burt Jr. (Western Kentucky) — 6 rec · 54.0 yds -0.06 EPA

Quarterback report card

Attempts, efficiency, and EPA.

Player	Team	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	EPA/play	Total EPA
Austin Reed	Western Kentucky	41	68.3%	386	3	+0.17	+7.03
Keegan Shoemaker	Sam Houston	45	51.1%	236	1	-0.20	-8.87

Team EPA comparison

Stat	Sam Houston	Western Kentucky
Plays	74	71
EPA / play	-0.160	-0.045
Total EPA	-11.84	-3.18
Success rate	33.8%	38.0%
Pass EPA / play	-0.197	+0.171
Rush EPA / play	-0.103	-0.340
Yards	346	499

Drive chart

Key possessions and results.

Qtr	Offense	Plays	Yards	EPA	Result
Q1	Western Kentucky	3	45	+1.97	Ended
Q1	Sam Houston	3	3	-2.33	Punt
Q1	Western Kentucky	4	57	+4.51	Pass TD
Q1	Sam Houston	3	2	-3.03	Punt
Q1	Western Kentucky	9	38	+0.70	Punt
Q1	Sam Houston	3	7	-1.26	Punt
Q1	Western Kentucky	3	2	-2.44	Interception
Q1	Sam Houston	7	95	+8.31	Pass TD
Q2	Western Kentucky	3	30	-5.48	Fumble
Q2	Sam Houston	10	38	+2.03	Rush TD
Q2	Western Kentucky	6	59	+4.91	Rush TD
Q2	Sam Houston	7	25	-0.49	Punt
Q2	Western Kentucky	7	75	+6.24	Pass TD
Q2	Sam Houston	8	40	-1.68	Punt
Q3	Western Kentucky	3	6	-7.01	Interception
Q3	Sam Houston	1	7	+1.74	Rush TD

Biggest EPA swings

Q2 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers · Fumble (-6.97 EPA)
Q4 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers · Austin Reed pass to Malachi Corley for a touchdown (75 yards) (+6.45 EPA)
Q3 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers · Austin Reed pass intercepted (-6.26 EPA)
Q3 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers · Austin Reed pass intercepted (-5.27 EPA)
Q4 · Sam Houston Bearkats · Fumble (-4.64 EPA)
Q2 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers · Austin Reed pass to Craig Burt Jr. for a touchdown (26 yards) (+4.54 EPA)
Q3 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers · Austin Reed pass to Dalvin Smith for 26 yards (3rd & 11) (+4.38 EPA)
Q4 · Sam Houston Bearkats · Keegan Shoemaker pass intercepted (-4.36 EPA)

Key takeaways

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers controlled the final (28–23) in Week 12.
Passing edge: Austin Reed (Western Kentucky) — 386.0 yds, 3 TD.
EPA edge: Western Kentucky at -0.045 EPA/play.
Full EPA, scoring map, and play-by-play live in CFB Analytics Box & Scores.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of Sam Houston Bearkats vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?

Sam Houston Bearkats 23, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 28 in Week 12 of the 2023 college football season.

Who won Sam Houston Bearkats vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers won with a final score of 23–28.

Where can I find the Sam Houston Bearkats vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers box score?

See EPA, scoring timeline, and full play-by-play on FantasyHQ CFB Analytics: /cfb-analytics?game=401520423.

Who led Sam Houston Bearkats vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in passing?

Austin Reed (Western Kentucky) led passers with 386.0 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Full analytics box score

Explore every snap, drive chart, and the interactive scoring map for Sam Houston Bearkats at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in FantasyHQ CFB Analytics Box & Scores.