Sam Houston Bearkats 24–41 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: Final Score & Recap | Week 1, 2025

Quick answer

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated Sam Houston Bearkats 41–24 in Week 1, 2025. Final score: Sam Houston Bearkats 24, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 41.

Game summary

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers rolled past Sam Houston Bearkats 41–24 in Week 1 of the 2025 season.

Scoring: 8 touchdowns, 3 field goals across 11 plays.
Passing leader: Maverick McIvor (Western Kentucky) — 401.0 pass yds, 3 TD, +0.37 EPA/play.
Rushing leader: Hunter Watson — 105.0 yds, 1 TD.
Receiving leader: Matthew Henry — 7 rec, 148.0 yds.
EPA edge: Western Kentucky (+0.149/play) vs Sam Houston (-0.104/play).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Sam Houston Bearkats	3	6	6	0	24
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers	6	12	18	6	41

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 23

OPP EZ

+3OPP 32

+3OPP 25

OPP EZ

WKUWestern Kentucky Hilltoppers

FantasyHQ CFB Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

Western Kentucky
Q1TD
MHMatthew Henry
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
0-6
Maverick McIvor pass to Matthew Henry for a touchdown (26 yards)
Sam Houston
Q1FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 23
Score
3-6
Field goal good from 40 yards
Sam Houston
Q2TD
HWHunter Watson
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
9-6
Hunter Watson rushes 55 yards for a touchdown
Western Kentucky
Q2TD
LWLa'Vell Wright
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
9-12
La'Vell Wright rushes 1 yard for a touchdown
Western Kentucky
Q2FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 32
Score
9-15
Field goal good from 49 yards
Western Kentucky
Q2FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 25
Score
9-18
Field goal good from 42 yards
Sam Houston
Q3TD
AMAlton McCaskill
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
15-18
Alton McCaskill rushes 2 yards for a touchdown
Western Kentucky
Q3TD
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
15-24
Fumble returned for a touchdown
Western Kentucky
Q3TD
KHK.D. Hutchinson
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
15-30
Maverick McIvor pass to K.D. Hutchinson for a touchdown (9 yards)
Western Kentucky
Q3TD
MPMarvis Parrish
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
15-36
Maverick McIvor pass to Marvis Parrish for a touchdown (22 yards)
Western Kentucky
Q4TD
MMMaverick McIvor
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
15-42
Maverick McIvor rushes 4 yards for a touchdown

Stars of the game

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

Passing

Maverick McIvor (Western Kentucky) — 401.0 yds · 3 TD · +0.37 EPA/play +19.08 EPA
Hunter Watson (Sam Houston) — 213.0 yds · -0.09 EPA/play -2.98 EPA

Rushing

Hunter Watson (Sam Houston) — 105.0 yds · 1 TD -0.08 EPA
Marvis Parrish (Western Kentucky) — 52.0 yds -0.15 EPA
Alton McCaskill (Sam Houston) — 72.0 yds · 1 TD +0.06 EPA

Receiving

Matthew Henry (Western Kentucky) — 7 rec · 148.0 yds +0.71 EPA
Moussa Barry (Western Kentucky) — 5 rec · 94.0 yds +1.37 EPA
Elijah Green (Sam Houston) — 7 rec · 71.0 yds +0.16 EPA

Quarterback report card

Attempts, efficiency, and EPA.

Player	Team	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	EPA/play	Total EPA
Maverick McIvor	Western Kentucky	52	61.5%	401	3	+0.37	+19.08
Hunter Watson	Sam Houston	33	57.6%	213	0	-0.09	-2.98

Team EPA comparison

Stat	Sam Houston	Western Kentucky
Plays	62	84
EPA / play	-0.104	+0.149
Total EPA	-6.42	+12.52
Success rate	29.0%	41.7%
Pass EPA / play	-0.090	+0.367
Rush EPA / play	-0.119	-0.205
Yards	400	515

Drive chart

Key possessions and results.

Qtr	Offense	Plays	Yards	EPA	Result
Q1	Western Kentucky	4	14	-1.95	Punt
Q1	Sam Houston	4	23	-0.79	Punt
Q1	Western Kentucky	9	87	+7.17	Pass TD
Q1	Sam Houston	6	23	-2.97	Field goal
Q1	Western Kentucky	6	17	-1.77	Punt
Q1	Sam Houston	8	56	+1.35	Missed FG
Q2	Western Kentucky	3	1	-2.95	Punt
Q2	Sam Houston	2	62	+4.91	Rush TD
Q2	Western Kentucky	12	55	+4.77	Rush TD
Q2	Sam Houston	4	9	-4.47	Ended
Q2	Western Kentucky	3	4	-2.43	Field goal
Q2	Sam Houston	3	17	-0.33	Punt
Q2	Western Kentucky	10	32	-0.95	Field goal
Q2	Sam Houston	1	-6	0.00	Ended
Q3	Sam Houston	5	75	+5.57	Rush TD
Q3	Western Kentucky	12	99	+7.56	Pass TD

Biggest EPA swings

Q3 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers · Fumble returned for a touchdown (-9.07 EPA)
Q2 · Sam Houston Bearkats · Hunter Watson rushes 55 yards for a touchdown (+4.38 EPA)
Q1 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers · Maverick McIvor pass to Matthew Henry for a touchdown (26 yards) (+4.12 EPA)
Q3 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers · Maverick McIvor pass to Moussa Barry for 48 yards (2nd & 10) (+3.79 EPA)
Q1 · Sam Houston Bearkats · Hunter Watson pass to Rayfield Lotten for 36 yards (2nd & 10) (+3.67 EPA)
Q2 · Sam Houston Bearkats · Hunter Watson rushes for no gain (4th & 1) (-3.52 EPA)
Q3 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers · Maverick McIvor pass to Matthew Henry for 37 yards (3rd & 7) (+3.45 EPA)
Q3 · Sam Houston Bearkats · Alton McCaskill rushes for 52 yards (1st & 10) (+3.42 EPA)

Key takeaways

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers controlled the final (41–24) in Week 1.
Passing edge: Maverick McIvor (Western Kentucky) — 401.0 yds, 3 TD.
EPA edge: Western Kentucky at 0.149 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 24, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 41 in Week 1 of the 2025 college football season.

Who won Sam Houston Bearkats vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers won with a final score of 24–41.

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=401757218.

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

Maverick McIvor (Western Kentucky) led passers with 401.0 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.