2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

{{Infobox NCAA team season

|year=2021

|team=Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

|sport=football

|image=Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wordmark.svg

|conference=Conference USA

|short_conf=C-USA

|division=East Division

|CoachRank=

|APRank=

|CFPRank=

|record=9–5

|conf_record=7–1

|head_coach=Tyson Helton

|hc_year=3rd

|off_coach=Zach Kittley

|oc_year=1st

|cooff_coach1=Bryan Ellis

|cooc1_year=3rd

|off_scheme=Air raid

|def_coach=Maurice Crum Jr.

|dc_year=2nd

|def_scheme=4–2–5

|stadium=Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium

|champion=C-USA East Division

champion
Boca Raton Bowl champion

|conf_champ=C-USA Championship Game

|conf_champ_result=L 41–49 vs. UTSA

|bowl=Boca Raton Bowl

|bowl_result=W 59–38 vs. Appalachian State

}}

The 2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hilltoppers played their home games at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (CUSA). The team was coached by third-year head coach Tyson Helton.

Schedule

Western Kentucky announced its 2021 football schedule on January 27, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://wkusports.com/news/2021/1/27/hilltopper-football-2021-full-schedule-released.aspx|title=Hilltopper Football 2021 Full Schedule Released|publisher=Western Kentucky University Department of Athletics|date=January 27, 2021|accessdate=January 30, 2021}} The 2021 schedule consists of 6 home and 6 away games in the regular season.

{{CFB schedule

| opprank = y

| rankyear = 2021

| rankdivision = NCAA Division I FBS

| poll = AP Poll and CFP Rankings released prior to game

| timezone = Central

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{tooltip|September 2|Thursday}}

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = UT Martin

| site_stadium = Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium

| site_cityst = Bowling Green, KY

| score = 59–21

| tv = ESPN+

| attend = 16,236

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 11

| time = 11:00 a.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Army

| site_stadium = Michie Stadium

| site_cityst = West Point, NY

| score = 35–38

| tv = CBSSN

| attend = 25,989

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 25

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Indiana

| site_stadium = Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium

| site_cityst = Bowling Green, KY

| score = 31–33

| tv = CBSSN

| attend = 25,171

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 2

| time = 6:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Michigan State

| opprank = 17

| site_stadium = Spartan Stadium

| site_cityst = East Lansing, MI

| score = 31–48

| tv = FS1

| attend = 70,075

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 9

| time = 6:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| opponent = UTSA

| site_stadium = Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium

| site_cityst = Bowling Green, KY

| score = 46–52

| tv = Stadium

| attend = 15,243

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 16

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Old Dominion

| site_stadium = S.B. Ballard Stadium

| site_cityst = Norfolk, VA

| score = 43–20

| tv = ESPN3

| attend = 16,418

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 23

| time = 6:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = FIU

| site_stadium = Riccardo Silva Stadium

| site_cityst = Miami, FL

| score = 34–19

| tv = ESPN+

| attend = 0

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 30

| time = 3:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| opponent = Charlotte

| site_stadium = Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium

| site_cityst = Bowling Green, KY

| homecoming = y

| score = 45–13

| tv = ESPN+

| attend = 16,763

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 6

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| opponent = Middle Tennessee

| site_stadium = Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium

| site_cityst = Bowling Green, KY

| gamename = 100 Miles of Hate

| score = 48–21

| tv = Stadium

| attend = 15,022

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 13

| time = 1:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Rice

| site_stadium = Rice Stadium

| site_cityst = Houston, TX

| score = 42–21

| tv = ESPN+

| attend = 17,883

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 20

| time = 11:00 a.m.

| w/l = w

| opponent = Florida Atlantic

| site_stadium = Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium

| site_cityst = Bowling Green, KY

| score = 52–17

| tv = Stadium

| attend = 10,477

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 27

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Marshall

| site_stadium = Joan C. Edwards Stadium

| site_cityst = Huntington, WV

| score = 53–21

| tv = CBSSN

| attend = 19,134

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{tooltip|December 3|Friday}}

| time = 6:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = UTSA

| site_stadium = Alamodome

| site_cityst = San Antonio, TX

| gamename = C-USA Championship Game

| score = 41–49

| tv = CBSSN

| attend = 41,148

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = December 18

| time = 10:00 a.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = yes

| neutral = yes

| rank =

| opponent = Appalachian State

| opprank =

| site_stadium = FAU Stadium

| site_cityst = Boca Raton, FL

| tv = ESPN

| gamename = Boca Raton Bowl

| score = 59–38

| attend = 15,429

}}

:Schedule Source:{{cite news|title=WKU Football release their 2021 schedule|url=https://www.wbko.com/2021/01/27/wku-football-release-their-2021-schedule/|access-date=30 January 2021|date=January 27, 2021|work=WBKO|language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://fbschedules.com/ncaa-2021/team/wku|title=2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Football Schedule|publisher=FBSchedule|accessdate=January 30, 2021}}

Game summaries

=UT Martin=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Tennessee–Martin at Western Kentucky

|Visitor=Skyhawks

|Host=Hilltoppers

|V1=7|V2=7|V3=0|V4=7

|H1=7|H2=21|H3=14|H4=14

|Date=September 2, 2021

|Location=Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
Bowling Green, KY

|TimeZone=CDT

|StartTime=7:05 p.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 32 minutes

|Attendance=16,236

|Weather={{Convert|79|°F|°C}} • Weather: Clear

|Referee=Kevin Randle

|TVAnnouncers= Graham Doty (play-by-play) and Bob Belvin (analyst)

|TVStation=ESPN+

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|QuarterEntries=2|Time=11:04|Team=UTM|Event=Keon Howard 2-yard rush (Tyler Larco kick)
{{Small|(10 plays, 75 yards, 3:56)}}|Score=UTM 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=04:09|Team=WKU|Event=Daewood Davis 73-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 75 yards, 0:41)}}|Score=TIE 7–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=4|Time=14:56|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 10-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 55 yards, 2:36)}}|Score=WKU 14–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=09:31|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 22-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 59 yards, 2:40)}}|Score=WKU 21–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=01:43|Team=WKU|Event=Malachi Corley 8-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(12 plays, 79 yards, 4:58)}}|Score=WKU 28–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:10|Team=UTM|Event=Colton Dowell 27-yard pass from Keon Howard (Tyler Larco kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 85 yards, 1:27)}}|Score=WKU 28–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|QuarterEntries=3|Time=12:51|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 7-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(5 plays, 53 yards, 2:09)}}|Score=WKU 35–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=11:10|Team=WKU|Event=Joshua Simon 45-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 47 yards, 0:48)}}|Score=WKU 42–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=03:02|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 30-yard field goal
{{Small|(12 plays, 68 yards, 5:06)}}|Score=WKU 45–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=3|Time=14:17|Team=WKU|Event=Joshua Simon 3-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(4 plays, 57 yards, 2:01)}}|Score=WKU 52–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=07:22|Team=UTM|Event=Keon Howard 9-yard rush (Tyler Larco kick)
{{Small|(14 plays, 75 yards, 6:54)}}|Score=WKU 52–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=05:36|Team=WKU|Event=Craig Burt Jr. 54-yard pass from Carson Baker (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, 65 yards, 1:41)}}|Score=WKU 59–21|LastEntry=yes}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| WKU –24.0

58.5{{cite web |title=Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks vs WKU Hilltoppers |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/tennessee-martin-wku-odds-september-2-2021-1390596 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=2 September 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|UT Martin Skyhawks}}"\|UT Martin!!style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky
First downs	22	25
Total yards	396	587
Rushing yards	201	109
Passing yards	195	478
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	33:30	26:30

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|UT Martin Skyhawks}}; text-align:center;"\|UT Martin	Passing	Keon Howard	20/43, 195 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Peyton Logan	7 carries, 75 yards
Receiving	Colton Dowell	6 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	28/35, 424 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing	Kye Robichaux	9 carries, 44 yards
Receiving	Jerreth Sterns	7 receptions, 107 yards, 2 TDs

=At Army=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Western Kentucky at Army

|Visitor=Hilltoppers

|Host=Black Knights

|V1=0|V2=14|V3=0|V4=21

|H1=0|H2=21|H3=7|H4=10

|Date=September 11, 2021

|Location=Michie Stadium
West Point, NY

|TimeZone=CDT

|StartTime=10:30 a.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 19 minutes

|Attendance=25,989

|Weather={{Convert|68|°F|°C}} • Weather: Sunny • Wind: WSW 6 MPH

|Referee=Matt Overton

|TVAnnouncers= Jason Horowitz (play-by-play), Ross Tucker (analyst), and Tina Cervasio (sideline reporter)

|TVStation=CBS Sports Network

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=5|Time=14:51|Team=ARMY|Event=Tyrell Robinson 24-yard rush (Cole Talley kick)
{{Small|(10 plays, 62 yards, 4:50)}}|Score=ARMY 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=11:30|Team=ARMY|Event=Braheam Murphy 40-yard pass from Christian Anderson (Cole Talley kick)
{{Small|(4 plays, 53 yards, 1:55)}}|Score=ARMY 14–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=10:40|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 72-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Naverson kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, 75 yards, 0:50)}}|Score=ARMY 14–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=02:07|Team=ARMY|Event=Jakobi Buchanan 1-yard rush (Cole Talley kick)
{{Small|(16 plays, 75 yards, 8:33)}}|Score=ARMY 21–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:30|Team=WKU|Event=Bailey Zappe 10-yard rush (Brayden Naverson kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 75 yards, 1:37)}}|Score=ARMY 21–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|Time=08:57|Team=ARMY|Event=Anthony Adkins 3-yard rush (Cole Talley kick)
{{Small|(10 plays, 75 yards, 6:03)}}|Score=ARMY 28–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=5|Time=10:31|Team=ARMY|Event=Jakobi Buchanan 13-yard rush (Cole Talley kick)
{{Small|(14 plays, 71 yards, 9:15)}}|Score=ARMY 35–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=08:05|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 21-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 75 yards, 2:26)}}|Score=ARMY 35–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=04:58|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 14-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 63 yards, 1:23)}}|Score=ARMY 35–28}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=01:52|Team=ARMY|Event=Cole Talley 31-yard field goal
{{Small|(7 plays, 30 yards, 3:05)}}|Score=ARMY 38–28}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:22|Team=WKU|Event=Adam Cofield 2-yard rush (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 75 yards, 1:30)}}|Score=ARMY 38–35|LastEntry=yes}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| ARMY –6.0

51.5{{cite web |title=WKU Hilltoppers vs Army Black Knights |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/wku-army-odds-september-11-2021-1391136 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=11 September 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky!!style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Army Black Knights}}"\|Army
First downs	22	23
Total yards	477	416
Rushing yards	42	339
Passing yards	435	77
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	20:22	39:38

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	28/40, 435 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing	Noah Whittington	8 carries, 33 yards
Receiving	Jerreth Sterns	9 receptions, 171 yards, 2 TDs
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Army Black Knights}}; text-align:center;"\|Army	Passing	Christian Anderson	5/6, 77 yards, 1 TD
Rushing	Christian Anderson	22 carries, 119 yards
Receiving	Braheam Murphy	1 reception, 40 yards, 1 TD

=Indiana=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Indiana at Western Kentucky

|Visitor=Hoosiers

|Host=Hilltoppers

|V1=14|V2=9|V3=3|V4=7

|H1=0|H2=14|H3=10|H4=7

|Date=September 25, 2021

|Location=Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
Bowling Green, KY

|TimeZone=CDT

|StartTime=7:02 p.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 42 minutes

|Attendance=25,171

|Weather={{Convert|70|°F|°C}} • Weather: Clear • Wind: NNW 3 MPH

|Referee=Kevin Randall

|TVAnnouncers= Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst), and Jenny Dell (sideline reporter)

|TVStation=CBS Sports Network

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|QuarterEntries=2|Time=10:15|Team=IU|Event=Stephen Carr 1-yard rush (Charles Campbell kick)
{{Small|(11 plays, 79 yards, 4:45)}}|Score=IU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=05:02|Team=IU|Event=Michael Penix Jr. 1-yard rush (Charles Campbell kick)
{{Small|(11 plays, 81 yards, 4:50)}}|Score=IU 14–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=5|Time=14:27|Team=WKU|Event=Adam Cofield 1-yard rush (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(15 plays, 77 yards, 5:29)}}|Score=IU 14–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=09:49|Team=IU|Event=Charles Campbell 46-yard field goal
{{Small|(13 plays, 46 yards, 4:34)}}|Score=IU 17–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=02:42|Team=IU|Event=Charles Campbell 37-yard field goal
{{Small|(13 plays, 56 yards, 4:55)}}|Score=IU 20–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:55|Team=WKU|Event=Daewood Davis 25-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 72 yards, 1:42)}}|Score=IU 20–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:00|Team=IU|Event=Charles Campbell 25-yard field goal
{{Small|(8 plays, 68 yards, 0:55)}}|Score=IU 23–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|QuarterEntries=3|Time=13:13|Team=WKU|Event=Dalvin Smith 13-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(5 plays, 76 yards, 1:40)}}|Score=IU 23–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=09:10|Team=IU|Event=Charles Campbell 48-yard field goal
{{Small|(9 plays, 44 yards, 4:03)}}|Score=IU 26–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=05:53|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 34-yard field goal
{{Small|(11 plays, 59 yards, 3:17)}}|Score=IU 26–24}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=2|Time=04:27|Team=IU|Event=Stephen Carr 1-yard rush (Charles Campbell kick)
{{Small|(14 plays, 86 yards, 6:19)}}|Score=IU 33–24}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=02:43|Team=WKU|Event=Malachi Corley 19-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 75 yards, 1:44)}}|Score=IU 33–31|LastEntry=yes}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| IU –9.5

63{{cite web |title=Indiana Hoosiers vs WKU Hilltoppers |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/indiana-wku-odds-september-25-2021-1391701 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=25 September 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Indiana Hoosiers}}"\|Indiana!!style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky
First downs	35	24
Total yards	507	458
Rushing yards	134	93
Passing yards	373	365
Turnovers	0	0
Time of possession	38:34	21:26

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Indiana Hoosiers}}; text-align:center;"\|Indiana	Passing	Michael Penix Jr.	35/53, 373 yards
Rushing	Stephen Carr	25 carries, 109 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving	Peyton Hendershot	7 receptions, 100 yards
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	31/44, 365 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing	Noah Whittington	6 carries, 41 yards
Receiving	Jerreth Sterns	7 receptions, 82 yards

=At Michigan State=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Western Kentucky at Michigan State

|Visitor=Hilltoppers

|Host=No. 17 Spartans

|V1=10|V2=6|V3=0|V4=15

|H1=21|H2=21|H3=3|H4=3

|Date=October 2, 2021

|Location=Spartan Stadium
East Lansing, MI

|TimeZone=CDT

|StartTime=6:40 p.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 59 minutes

|Attendance=70,075

|Weather={{Convert|66|°F|°C}} • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: S 6 MPH

|Referee=Mark Kluczynski

|TVAnnouncers= Joe Beninati (play-by-play), Jeremy Leman (analyst), and Michelle McMahon (sideline reporter)

|TVStation=Big Ten Network

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|QuarterEntries=5|Time=13:32|Team=MSU|Event=Jayden Reed 88-yard punt returned (Matt Coghlin kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, 2 yards, 1:28)}}|Score=MSU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=08:26|Team=MSU|Event=Kenneth Walker III 5-yard rush (Matt Coghlin kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 80 yards, 3:59)}}|Score=MSU 14–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=05:04|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 37-yard field goal
{{Small|(11 plays, 56 yards, 3:22)}}|Score=MSU 14–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=03:54|Team=MSU|Event=Jayden Reed 46-yard pass from Payton Thorne (Matt Coghlin kick)
{{Small|(4 plays, 75 yards, 1:10)}}|Score=MSU 21–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=02:57|Team=WKU|Event=Joey Beljan 4-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, 65 yards, 0:57)}}|Score=MSU 21–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=5|Time=11:42|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 29-yard field goal
{{Small|(13 plays, 61 yards, 4:53)}}|Score=MSU 21–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=09:10|Team=MSU|Event=Kenneth Walker III 5-yard rush (Matt Coghlin kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 68 yards, 2:27)}}|Score=MSU 28–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=06:51|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 35-yard field goal
{{Small|(8 plays, 58 yards, 2:19)}}|Score=MSU 28–16}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=02:39|Team=MSU|Event=Kenneth Walker III 3-yard rush (Matt Coghlin kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 66 yards, 4:06)}}|Score=MSU 35–16}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:41|Team=MSU|Event=Payton Thorne 12-yard rush (Matt Coghlin kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 31 yards, 0:53)}}|Score=MSU 42–16}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|Time=00:43|Team=MSU|Event=Matt Coghlin 21-yard field goal
{{Small|(14 plays, 96 yards, 5:49)}}|Score=MSU 45–16}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=3|Time=13:13|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 28-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Bailey Zappe two-point conversion pass to Mitchell Tinsley)
{{Small|(9 plays, 75 yards, 2:30)}}|Score=MSU 45–24}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=08:24|Team=WKU|Event=Joey Beljan 1-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 55 yards, 2:28)}}|Score=MSU 45–31}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=04:46|Team=MSU|Event=Matt Coghlin 20-yard field goal
{{Small|(12 plays, 72 yards, 3:38)}}|Score=MSU 48–31|LastEntry=yes}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| MSU –10.5

66.5{{cite web |title=WKU Hilltoppers vs Michigan State Spartans |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/wku-michigan-state-odds-october-2-2021-1392111 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=2 October 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky!!style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Michigan State Spartans}}"\|Michigan State
First downs	31	26
Total yards	560	519
Rushing yards	72	192
Passing yards	488	327
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	29:35	30:25

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	46/64, 488 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing	Noah Whittington	7 carries, 37 yards
Receiving	Jerreth Sterns	17 receptions, 186 yards, 1 TD
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Michigan State Spartans}}; text-align:center;"\|Michigan State	Passing	Payton Thorne	20/30, 327 yards, 1 TD
Rushing	Kenneth Walker III	24 carries, 126 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving	Jalen Nailor	8 receptions, 128 yards

=UTSA=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=UTSA at Western Kentucky

|Visitor=Roadrunners

|Host=Hilltoppers

|V1=14|V2=14|V3=14|V4=10

|H1=10|H2=14|H3=13|H4=9

|Date=October 9, 2021

|Location=Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
Bowling Green, KY

|TimeZone=CDT

|StartTime=6:06 p.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 39 minutes

|Attendance=15,243

|Weather={{Convert|82|°F|°C}} • Weather: Sunny and Clear • Wind: 5-10 MPH

|Referee=Kevin Randall

|TVAnnouncers= Chris Vosters (play-by-play) and Sherdrick Bonner (analyst)

|TVStation=Stadium

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|QuarterEntries=4|Time=14:13|Team=UTSA|Event=De'Corian Clark 30-yard pass from Frank Harris (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, 75 yards, 0:47)}}|Score=UTSA 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=10:11|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 34-yard field goal
{{Small|(8 plays, 54 yards, 3:56)}}|Score=UTSA 7–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=05:03|Team=UTSA|Event=Tykee Ogle-Kellogg 15-yard pass from Frank Harris (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(14 plays, 75 yards, 5:08)}}|Score=UTSA 14–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:49|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 3-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(12 plays, 58 yards, 4:04)}}|Score=UTSA 14–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=4|Time=11:22|Team=WKU|Event=Adam Cofield 10-yard rush (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 74 yards, 3:26)}}|Score=WKU 17–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=08:25|Team=UTSA|Event=Frank Harris 23-yard pass from Joshua Cephus (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 75 yards, 2:57)}}|Score=UTSA 21–17}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=04:47|Team=WKU|Event=Dalvin Smith 33-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 82 yards, 3:32)}}|Score=WKU 24–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:40|Team=UTSA|Event=Oscar Cardenas 11-yard pass from Frank Harris (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, 32 yards, 0:32)}}|Score=UTSA 28–24}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|QuarterEntries=4|Time=12:46|Team=WKU|Event=Malachi Corley 24-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, 24 yards, 0:52)}}|Score=WKU 31–28}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=10:38|Team=UTSA|Event=De'Corian Clark 18-yard pass from Frank Harris (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 75 yards, 2:08)}}|Score=UTSA 35–31}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=06:06|Team=UTSA|Event=Joshua Cephus 3-yard pass from Frank Harris (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 57 yards, 3:55)}}|Score=UTSA 42–31}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:50|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 40-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (two-point rush conversion attempt failed)
{{Small|(3 plays, 95 yards, 0:33)}}|Score=UTSA 42–37}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=4|Time=10:01|Team=UTSA|Event=Hunter Duplessis 35-yard field goal
{{Small|(10 plays, 57 yards, 5:49)}}|Score=UTSA 45–37}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=08:04|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 20-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (two-point pass conversion attempt failed)
{{Small|(7 plays, 75 yards, 1:57)}}|Score=UTSA 45–43}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=06:39|Team=UTSA|Event=De'Corian Clark 43-yard pass from Frank Harris (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(4 plays, 75 yards, 1:25)}}|Score=UTSA 52–43}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=04:22|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 27-yard field goal
{{Small|(10 plays, 66 yards, 2:17)}}|Score=UTSA 52–46|LastEntry=yes}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| WKU –3.5

71{{cite web |title=UTSA Roadrunners vs WKU Hilltoppers |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/utsa-wku-odds-october-9-2021-1392306 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=9 October 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA color cell\|UTSA Roadrunners}}"\|UTSA!!style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky
First downs	32	35
Total yards	564	670
Rushing yards	192	147
Passing yards	372	523
Turnovers	2	2
Time of possession	29:56	30:04

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|UTSA Roadrunners}}; text-align:center;"\|UTSA	Passing	Frank Harris	28/38, 349 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing	Sincere McCormick	23 carries, 120 yards
Receiving	De'Corian Clark	7 receptions, 160 yards, 3 TDs
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	38/60, 523 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing	Adam Cofield	9 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Jerreth Sterns	16 receptions, 195 yards, 2 TDs

=At Old Dominion=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Western Kentucky at Old Dominion

|Visitor=Hilltoppers

|Host=Monarchs

|V1=14|V2=16|V3=3|V4=10

|H1=0|H2=3|H3=3|H4=14

|Date=October 16, 2021

|Location=S.B. Ballard Stadium
Norfolk, VA

|TimeZone=CDT

|StartTime=2:35 p.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 20 minutes

|Attendance=16,418

|Weather={{Convert|82|°F|°C}} • Weather: Sunny

|Referee=Kevin Vicknair

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=ESPN3

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|QuarterEntries=2|Time=09:16|Team=WKU|Event=Malachi Corley 26-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 68 yards, 3:42)}}|Score=WKU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=04:24|Team=WKU|Event=Dakota Thomas 9-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(12 plays, 81 yards, 3:30)}}|Score=WKU 14–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=4|Time=05:23|Team=WKU|Event=Daewood Davis 15-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, 41 yards, 1:02)}}|Score=WKU 21–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=02:23|Team=ODU|Event=Nick Rice 44-yard field goal
{{Small|(10 plays, 48 yards, 3:00)}}|Score=WKU 21–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=01:48|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 74-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, 75 yards, 0:35)}}|Score=WKU 27–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:00|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 20-yard field goal
{{Small|(8 plays, 45 yards, 1:16)}}|Score=WKU 30–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|QuarterEntries=2|Time=10:37|Team=ODU|Event=Nick Rice 38-yard field goal
{{Small|(11 plays, 54 yards, 4:23)}}|Score=WKU 30–6}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=03:43|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 31-yard field goal
{{Small|(4 plays, -9 yards, 1:30)}}|Score=WKU 33–6}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=4|Time=14:55|Team=ODU|Event=Elijah Davis 24-yard rush (Nick Rice kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 79 yards, 3:45)}}|Score=WKU 33–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=10:17|Team=ODU|Event=Blake Watson 7-yard rush (Nick Rice kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 78 yards, 3:02)}}|Score=WKU 33–20}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=05:41|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 41-yard field goal
{{Small|(13 plays, 42 yards, 4:31)}}|Score=WKU 36–20}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=03:51|Team=WKU|Event=Dakota Thomas 17-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 23 yards, 0:38)}}|Score=WKU 43–20|LastEntry=yes}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| WKU –13.5

67{{cite web |title=WKU Hilltoppers vs Old Dominion Monarchs |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/wku-old-dominion-odds-october-16-2021-1392531 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=16 October 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky!!style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Old Dominion Monarchs}}"\|Old Dominion
First downs	29	23
Total yards	518	446
Rushing yards	121	119
Passing yards	397	327
Turnovers	1	3
Time of possession	30:39	29:21

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	36/54, 397 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing	Adam Cofield	10 carries, 67 yards
Receiving	Jerreth Sterns	13 receptions, 221 yards, 1 TD
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Old Dominion Monarchs}}; text-align:center;"\|Old Dominion	Passing	Hayden Wolff	26/41, 327 yards, 2 INTs
Rushing	Blake Watson	22 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Ali Jennings III	13 receptions, 172 yards

=At FIU=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Western Kentucky at Florida International

|Visitor=Hilltoppers

|Host=Panthers

|V1=0|V2=17|V3=7|V4=10

|H1=6|H2=6|H3=0|H4=7

|Date=October 23, 2021

|Location=Riccardo Silva Stadium
University Park, FL

|TimeZone=CDT

|StartTime=7:28 p.m.

|ElapsedTime=2 hours and 24 minutes

|Attendance=0

|Weather={{Convert|80|°F|°C}} • Weather: Sunny

|Referee=Patrick Foy

|TVAnnouncers=A. J. Ricketts (play–by–play) and Cam Lynch (analyst)

|TVStation=ESPN+

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|Time=10:22|Team=FIU|Event=Max Bortenschlager 1-yard rush (Chase Gabriel PAT blocked)
{{Small|(12 plays, 75 yards, 4:38)}}|Score=FIU 6–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=4|Time=07:13|Team=WKU|Event=Adam Cofield 8-yard rush (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 80 yards, 2:52)}}|Score=WKU 7–6}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=07:04|Team=FIU|Event=Randall St. Felix 75-yard pass from Max Bortenschlager (two-point pass conversion attempt failed)
{{Small|(1 play, 75 yards, 0:09)}}|Score=FIU 12–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=01:22|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 23-yard field goal
{{Small|(13 plays, 70 yards, 5:42)}}|Score=FIU 12–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:15|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 32-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(5 plays, 80 yards, 0:34)}}|Score=WKU 17–12}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|Time=11:35|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 20-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 75 yards, 3:25)}}|Score=WKU 24–12}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=3|Time=11:08|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 1-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 63 yards, 3:52)}}|Score=WKU 31–12}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=04:08|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 26-yard field goal
{{Small|(13 plays, 82 yards, 5:20)}}|Score=WKU 34–12}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=01:39|Team=FIU|Event=Shaun Peterson Jr. 3-yard rush (Chase Gabriel kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 75 yards, 2:29)}}|Score=WKU 34–19|LastEntry=yes}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| WKU –16.5

78{{cite web |title=WKU Hilltoppers vs FIU Panthers |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/wku-fiu-odds-october-23-2021-1392701 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=23 October 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky!!style="{{NCAA color cell\|FIU Panthers}}"\|FIU
First downs	31	18
Total yards	530	290
Rushing yards	148	28
Passing yards	382	262
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	33:15	26:45

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	39/49, 382 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing	Adam Cofield	15 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Jerreth Sterns	14 receptions, 115 yards, 2 TDs
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|FIU Panthers}}; text-align:center;"\|FIU	Passing	Max Bortenschlager	15/32, 192 yards, 1 TD
Rushing	D'Vonte Price	15 carries, 86 yards
Receiving	Randall St. Felix	5 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD

=Charlotte=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Charlotte at Western Kentucky

|Visitor=49ers

|Host=Hilltoppers

|V1=3|V2=10|V3=0|V4=0

|H1=14|H2=14|H3=7|H4=10

|Date=October 30, 2021

|Location=Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
Bowling Green, KY

|TimeZone=CDT

|StartTime=3:05 p.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 11 minutes

|Attendance=16,763

|Weather={{Convert|55|°F|°C}} • Weather: Wet and Cloudy

|Referee=Scott Hardin

|TVAnnouncers= Nate Gatter (play–by–play) and Bob Belvin (analyst)

|TVStation=ESPN+

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|QuarterEntries=3|Time=11:44|Team=WKU|Event=Daewood Davis 11-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 47 yards, 2:19)}}|Score=WKU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=06:39|Team=CLT|Event=Jonathan Cruz 37-yard field goal
{{Small|(11 plays, 55 yards, 5:05)}}|Score=WKU 7–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=01:21|Team=WKU|Event=Bailey Zappe 2-yard rush (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(4 plays, 73 yards, 1:29)}}|Score=WKU 14–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=4|Time=13:09|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 13-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 50 yards, 2:20)}}|Score=WKU 21–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=09:40|Team=CLT|Event=James Foster 1-yard rush (Jonathan Cruz kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 75 yards, 3:29)}}|Score=WKU 21–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=03:06|Team=CLT|Event=Jonathan Cruz 56-yard field goal
{{Small|(5 plays, 37 yards, 2:10)}}|Score=WKU 21–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=01:27|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 21-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(5 plays, 75 yards, 1:39)}}|Score=WKU 28–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|Time=02:04|Team=WKU|Event=Dalvin Smith 9-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 69 yards, 2:46)}}|Score=WKU 35–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=2|Time=12:28|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 35-yard field goal
{{Small|(8 plays, 17 yards, 2:52)}}|Score=WKU 38–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=05:09|Team=WKU|Event=Noah Whittington 1-yard rush (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 60 yards, 3:09)}}|Score=WKU 45–13|LastEntry=yes}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| WKU –19.5

71.5{{cite web |title=Charlotte 49ers vs WKU Hilltoppers |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/charlotte-wku-odds-october-30-2021-1393096 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=30 October 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Charlotte 49ers}}"\|Charlotte!!style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky
First downs	17	29
Total yards	319	469
Rushing yards	190	76
Passing yards	129	393
Turnovers	2	2
Time of possession	33:44	26:16

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Charlotte 49ers}}; text-align:center;"\|Charlotte	Passing	James Foster	12/24, 129 yards, 1 INT
Rushing	Calvin Camp	7 carries, 60 yards
Receiving	Shadrick Byrd	1 reception, 53 yards
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	33/45, 393 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing	Noah Whittington	10 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Jerreth Sterns	10 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD

=Middle Tennessee=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Middle Tennessee at Western Kentucky

|Visitor=Blue Raiders

|Host=Hilltoppers

|V1=7|V2=7|V3=0|V4=7

|H1=21|H2=10|H3=17|H4=0

|Date=November 6, 2021

|Location=Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
Bowling Green, KY

|TimeZone=CDT

|StartTime=2:36 p.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 21 minutes

|Attendance=15,022

|Weather={{Convert|59|°F|°C}} • Weather: Sunny and Clear

|Referee=Joe Lehring

|TVAnnouncers= Chris Hassel (play–by–play) and Max Starks (analyst)

|TVStation=Stadium

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|QuarterEntries=4|Time=11:49|Team=MTSU|Event=DJ England-Chisolm 45-yard pass from Nick Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 75 yards, 3:11)}}|Score=MTSU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=10:21|Team=WKU|Event=Daewood Davis 17-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 68 yards, 1:22)}}|Score=TIE 7–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=06:09|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 5-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 19 yards, 0:36)}}|Score=WKU 14–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=02:07|Team=WKU|Event=Beanie Bishop 43-yard interception returned (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, -1 yards, 1:34)}}|Score=WKU 21–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=3|Time=09:08|Team=MTSU|Event=Yusuf Ali 36-yard pass from Nick Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick)
{{Small|(5 plays, 52 yards, 1:38)}}|Score=WKU 21–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=05:24|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 35-yard field goal
{{Small|(9 plays, 54 yards, 3:38)}}|Score=WKU 24–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=03:35|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 10-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 10 yards, 0:09)}}|Score=WKU 31–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|QuarterEntries=3|Time=11:21|Team=WKU|Event=Daewood Davis 28-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 74 yards, 3:39)}}|Score=WKU 38–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=09:18|Team=WKU|Event=Bailey Zappe 8-yard rush (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(4 plays, 33 yards, 1:16)}}|Score=WKU 45–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=07:38|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 43-yard field goal
{{Small|(4 plays, 4 yards, 0:57)}}|Score=WKU 48–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|Time=13:35|Team=MTSU|Event=Frank Peasant 5-yard rush (Zeke Rankin kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, 16 yards, 1:04)}}|Score=WKU 48–21|LastEntry=yes}}

{{see also|2021 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team|100 Miles of Hate}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| WKU –17.5

66.5{{cite web |title=Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs WKU Hilltoppers |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/middle-tennessee-wku-odds-november-6-2021-1393401 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=6 November 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders}}"\|Middle Tennessee!!style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky
First downs	19	19
Total yards	349	352
Rushing yards	123	71
Passing yards	226	281
Turnovers	7	0
Time of possession	33:02	26:58

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders}}; text-align:center;"\|Middle Tennessee	Passing	Nick Vattiato	24/41, 205 yards, 2 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing	Frank Peasant	18 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	DJ England-Chisolm	3 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	29/50, 281 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing	Noah Whittington	17 carries, 67 yards
Receiving	Jerreth Sterns	11 receptions, 110 yards

=At Rice=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Western Kentucky at Rice

|Visitor=Hilltoppers

|Host=Owls

|V1=7|V2=21|V3=0|V4=14

|H1=0|H2=0|H3=7|H4=14

|Date=November 13, 2021

|Location=Rice Stadium
Houston, TX

|TimeZone=CST

|StartTime=1:05 p.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 20 minutes

|Attendance=17,883

|Weather={{Convert|67|°F|°C}} • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NE 7 MPH

|Referee=Scott Hardin

|TVAnnouncers=David Saltzman (play–by–play) and Taylor McHargue (analyst)

|TVStation=ESPN+

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|Time=02:56|Team=WKU|Event=Kye Robichaux 2-yard rush (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 97 yards, 3:00)}}|Score=WKU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=3|Time=10:12|Team=WKU|Event=Kye Robichaux 13-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(5 plays, 39 yards, 2:18)}}|Score=WKU 14–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=07:36|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 65-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 70 yards, 0:34)}}|Score=WKU 21–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=06:19|Team=WKU|Event=Dalvin Smith 7-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 34 yards, 0:32)}}|Score=WKU 28–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|Time=03:16|Team=RICE|Event=Cedric Patterson III 23-yard pass from Jake Constantine (Christian VanSickle kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 80 yards, 3:44)}}|Score=WKU 28–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=4|Time=14:56|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 9-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(10 plays, 77 yards, 3:15)}}|Score=WKU 35–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=11:44|Team=RICE|Event=Khalan Griffin 7-yard rush (Christian VanSickle kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 75 yards, 3:12)}}|Score=WKU 35–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=08:18|Team=WKU|Event=Joey Beljan 5-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 23 yards, 0:35)}}|Score=WKU 42–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:55|Team=RICE|Event=Juma Otoviano 2-yard rush (Christian VanSickle kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 37 yards, 1:13)}}|Score=WKU 42–21|LastEntry=yes}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| WKU –19.0

61.5{{cite web |title=WKU Hilltoppers vs Rice Owls |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/wku-rice-odds-november-13-2021-1393681 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=13 November 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky!!style="{{NCAA color cell\|Rice Owls}}"\|Rice
First downs	27	25
Total yards	587	504
Rushing yards	92	124
Passing yards	495	380
Turnovers	4	5
Time of possession	24:20	35:40

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	34/42, 482 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing	Kye Robichaux	12 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Mitchell Tinsley	10 receptions, 198 yards, 2 TDs
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|Rice Owls}}; text-align:center;"\|Rice	Passing	Jake Constantine	28/50, 380 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs
Rushing	Ari Broussard	15 carries, 60 yards
Receiving	August Pitre III	9 receptions, 113 yards

=Florida Atlantic=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Florida Atlantic at Western Kentucky

|Visitor=Owls

|Host=Hilltoppers

|V1=3|V2=7|V3=7|V4=0

|H1=14|H2=17|H3=7|H4=14

|Date=November 20, 2021

|Location=Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
Bowling Green, KY

|TimeZone=CST

|StartTime=11:06 a.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 27 minutes

|Attendance=10,477

|Weather={{Convert|55|°F|°C}} • Weather: Partly Cloudy

|Referee=Rodney Burnette

|TVAnnouncers= Noah Coslov (play–by–play) and Sherdrick Bonner (analyst)

|TVStation=Stadium

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|QuarterEntries=3|Time=10:52|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 1-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 87 yards, 2:16)}}|Score=WKU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=05:41|Team=FAU|Event=Morgan Suarez 35-yard field goal
{{Small|(11 plays, 33 yards, 5:11)}}|Score=WKU 7–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=04:13|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 8-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(3 plays, 50 yards, 1:20)}}|Score=WKU 14–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=4|Time=13:34|Team=WKU|Event=Joey Beljan 3-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 79 yards, 3:52)}}|Score=WKU 21–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=07:58|Team=FAU|Event=Teja Young 62-yard interception returned (Morgan Suarez kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 43 yards, 2:50)}}|Score=WKU 21–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=03:15|Team=WKU|Event=Malachi Corley 3-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 80 yards, 4:36)}}|Score=WKU 28–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=01:35|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 26-yard field goal
{{Small|(6 plays, 28 yards, 1:38)}}|Score=WKU 31–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|QuarterEntries=2|Time=05:34|Team=FAU|Event=Joey Mitchell 9-yard pass from N'Kosi Perry (Morgan Suarez kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 62 yards, 3:36)}}|Score=WKU 31–17}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=01:59|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 27-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(5 plays, 61 yards, 1:57)}}|Score=WKU 38–17}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=2|Time=12:15|Team=WKU|Event=Joey Beljan 7-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 56 yards, 2:40)}}|Score=WKU 45–17}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=04:16|Team=WKU|Event=Jakairi Moses 7-yard rush (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(10 plays, 83 yards, 5:32)}}|Score=WKU 52–17|LastEntry=yes}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| WKU –11.5

64{{cite web |title=Florida Atlantic Owls vs WKU Hilltoppers |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/florida-atlantic-wku-odds-november-20-2021-1394081 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=20 November 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA color cell\|Florida Atlantic Owls}}"\|Florida Atlantic!!style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky
First downs	18	35
Total yards	301	608
Rushing yards	25	100
Passing yards	276	508
Turnovers	3	3
Time of possession	24:39	35:21

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|Florida Atlantic Owls}}; text-align:center;"\|Florida Atlantic	Passing	N'Kosi Perry	19/28, 213 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing	Johnny Ford	13 carries, 48 yards
Receiving	Je'Quan Burton	7 receptions, 80 yards
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	39/49, 470 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing	Noah Whittington	9 carries, 46 yards
Receiving	Mitchell Tinsley	9 receptions, 164 yards, 2 TDs

=At Marshall=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Western Kentucky at Marshall

|Visitor=Hilltoppers

|Host=Thundering Herd

|V1=0|V2=6|V3=23|V4=24

|H1=7|H2=7|H3=0|H4=7

|Date=November 27, 2021

|Location=Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Huntington, WV

|TimeZone=CST

|StartTime=2:37 p.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 37 minutes

|Attendance=19,134

|Weather={{Convert|55|°F|°C}} • Weather: Sunny

|Referee=Jonathan Noli

|TVAnnouncers=Alex Del Barrio (play–by–play) and Sherdrick Bonner (analyst)

|TVStation=CBS Sports Network

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|Time=07:01|Team=MRSH|Event=Grant Wells 1-yard rush (Shane Ciucci kick)
{{Small|(15 plays, 79 yards, 6:58)}}|Score=MRSH 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=3|Time=14:22|Team=MRSH|Event=Devin Miller 3-yard pass from Grant Wells (Shane Ciucci kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 57 yards, 3:57)}}|Score=MRSH 14–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=08:05|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 41-yard field goal
{{Small|(6 plays, 25 yards, 1:56)}}|Score=MRSH 14–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=02:48|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 46-yard field goal
{{Small|(10 plays, 27 yards, 3:12)}}|Score=MRSH 14–6}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|QuarterEntries=4|Time=13:41|Team=WKU|Event=Daewood Davis 47-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 58 yards, 0:23)}}|Score=MRSH 14–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=09:10|Team=WKU|Event=Malachi Corley 14-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 78 yards, 2:21)}}|Score=WKU 20–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=07:28|Team=WKU|Event=Daewood Davis 50-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (two-point pass conversion attempt failed)
{{Small|(1 play, 50 yards, 0:09)}}|Score=WKU 26–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=03:25|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 53-yard field goal
{{Small|(10 plays, 37 yards, 3:30)}}|Score=WKU 29–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=5|Time=14:18|Team=WKU|Event=Dalvin Smith 8-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 78 yards, 3:30)}}|Score=WKU 36–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=12:23|Team=MRSH|Event=Shadeed Ahmed 41-yard pass from Luke Zban (Shane Ciucci kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 75 yards, 1:55)}}|Score=WKU 36–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=12:16|Team=WKU|Event=A. J. Brathwaite 43-yard kickoff returned (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 31 yards, 3:46)}}|Score=WKU 43–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=01:12|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 39-yard field goal
{{Small|(11 plays, 21 yards, 7:18)}}|Score=WKU 46–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:53|Team=WKU|Event=Davion Williams 45-yard interception returned (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 0 yards, 0:19)}}|Score=WKU 53–21|LastEntry=yes}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| EVEN

75{{cite web |title=WKU Hilltoppers vs Marshall Thundering Herd |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/wku-marshall-odds-november-27-2021-1394316 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=27 November 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky!!style="{{NCAA color cell\|Marshall Thundering Herd}}"\|Marshall
First downs	25	20
Total yards	485	325
Rushing yards	157	126
Passing yards	328	199
Turnovers	0	2
Time of possession	30:34	29:26

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	24/48, 328 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing	Noah Whittington	14 carries, 69 yards
Receiving	Daewood Davis	3 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TDs
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|Marshall Thundering Herd}}; text-align:center;"\|Marshall	Passing	Luke Zban	16/25, 123 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Rasheen Ali	24 carries, 99 yards
Receiving	Corey Gammage	7 receptions, 44 yards

=At UTSA (C-USA Championship)=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Western Kentucky at Texas–San Antonio

|Visitor=Hilltoppers

|Host=Roadrunners

|V1=10|V2=3|V3=13|V4=15

|H1=14|H2=14|H3=14|H4=7

|Date=December 3, 2021

|Location=Alamodome
San Antonio, TX

|TimeZone=CST

|StartTime=6:06 p.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 49 minutes

|Attendance=41,148

|Weather={{Convert|72|°F|°C}} • Weather: N/A (Indoors)

|Referee=Kevin Randall

|TVAnnouncers=Rich Waltz (play–by–play), Aaron Taylor (analyst), and Jenny Dell (sideline reporter)

|TVStation=CBS Sports Network

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|QuarterEntries=4|Time=14:04|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 60-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(5 plays, 78 yards, 0:56)}}|Score=WKU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=11:49|Team=UTSA|Event=Frank Harris 24-yard rush (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 75 yards, 2:15)}}|Score=TIE 7–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=10:07|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 33-yard field goal
{{Small|(6 plays, 51 yards, 1:42)}}|Score=WKU 10–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=04:59|Team=UTSA|Event=Sincere McCormick 2-yard rush (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(14 plays, 75 yards, 5:08)}}|Score=UTSA 14–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=3|Time=14:57|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 34-yard field goal
{{Small|(15 plays, 59 yards, 5:02)}}|Score=UTSA 14–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=11:50|Team=UTSA|Event=Brenden Brady 6-yard rush (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 75 yards, 3:07)}}|Score=UTSA 21–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=09:10|Team=UTSA|Event=Sincere McCormick 65-yard rush (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(1 play, 65 yards, 0:11)}}|Score=UTSA 28–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|QuarterEntries=4|Time=11:13|Team=UTSA|Event=Zakhari Franklin 14-yard pass from Frank Harris (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 14 yards, 0:45)}}|Score=UTSA 35–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=10:16|Team=UTSA|Event=Sincere McCormick 17-yard rush (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(1 play, 17 yards, 0:08)}}|Score=UTSA 42–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=08:17|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 12-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 66 yards, 1:59)}}|Score=UTSA 42–20}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=03:01|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 13-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (two-point pass conversion attempt failed)
{{Small|(7 plays, 53 yards, 2:17)}}|Score=UTSA 42–26}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=3|Time=11:01|Team=WKU|Event=Kye Robichaux 1-yard rush (Bailey Zappe two-point pass conversion to Jerreth Sterns)
{{Small|(5 plays, 71 yards, 1:10)}}|Score=UTSA 42–34}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=06:18|Team=UTSA|Event=De'Corian Clark 28-yard pass from Frank Harris (Hunter Duplessis kick)
{{Small|(10 plays, 75 yards, 4:43)}}|Score=UTSA 49–34}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=03:58|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 34-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(9 plays, 72 yards, 2:20)}}|Score=UTSA 49–41|LastEntry=yes}}

{{see also|2021 UTSA Roadrunners football team|2021 Conference USA Football Championship Game}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| WKU –3.0

74.5{{cite web |title=WKU Hilltoppers vs UTSA Roadrunners |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/wku-utsa-odds-december-3-2021-1593191 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=3 December 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky!!style="{{NCAA color cell\|UTSA Roadrunners}}"\|UTSA
First downs	26	28
Total yards	568	556
Rushing yards	-9	304
Passing yards	577	252
Turnovers	3	0
Time of possession	23:16	36:44

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA secondary color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	36/59, 577 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing	Noah Whittington	4 carries, 15 yards
Receiving	Jerreth Sterns	10 receptions, 179 yards, 2 TDs
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|UTSA Roadrunners}}; text-align:center;"\|UTSA	Passing	Frank Harris	19/28, 218 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing	Sincere McCormick	36 carries, 204 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving	Zakhari Franklin	6 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD

=Vs. Appalachian State (Boca Raton Bowl)=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State

|Visitor=Hilltoppers

|Host=Mountaineers

|V1=14|V2=17|V3=21|V4=7

|H1=14|H2=10|H3=7|H4=7

|Date=December 18, 2021

|Location=FAU Stadium
Boca Raton, FL

|TimeZone=CST

|StartTime=10:00 a.m.

|ElapsedTime=3 hours and 42 minutes

|Attendance=15,429

|Weather={{Convert|81|°F|°C}} • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: SE 17 MPH

|Referee=Steve Baron

|TVAnnouncers=Clay Matvick (play–by–play), Rocky Boiman (analyst), and Tiffany Blackmon (sideline reporter)

|TVStation=ESPN

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|FirstEntry=yes|Quarter=1|QuarterEntries=4|Time=13:14|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 1-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 74 yards, 1:46)}}|Score=WKU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=3:25|Team=ASU|Event=Malik Williams 36-yard pass from Chase Brice (Chandler Staton kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 63 yards, 2:58)}}|Score=Tie 7–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=3:11|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 75-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(1 play, 75 yards, 00:14)}}|Score=WKU 14–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=1:11|Team=ASU|Event=Jalen Virgil 60-yard pass from Chase Brice (Chandler Staton kick)
{{Small|(5 plays, 76 yards, 2:00)}}|Score=Tie 14–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=2|QuarterEntries=5|Time=11:48|Team=WKU|Event=Brayden Narveson 24-yard field goal
{{Small|(7 plays, 64 yards, 1:21)}}|Score=WKU 17–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=8:57|Team=ASU|Event=Dashaun Davis 33-yard pass from Chase Brice (Chandler Staton kick)
{{Small|(5 plays, 61 yards, 2:51)}}|Score=ASU 21–17}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=6:54|Team=WKU|Event=Joey Beljan 5-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 75 yards, 2:03)}}|Score=WKU 24–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=2:55|Team=ASU|Event=Chandler Staton 28-yard field goal
{{Small|(8 plays, 64 yards, 3:59)}}|Score=Tie 24–24}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=00:29|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 10-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(8 plays, 78 yards, 2:26)}}|Score=WKU 31–24}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=3|QuarterEntries=4|Time=12:49|Team=WKU|Event=Noah Wittington 86-yard run (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(1 play, 86 yards, 00:12)}}|Score=WKU 38–24}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=5:56|Team=WKU|Event=Mitchell Tinsley 2-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(11 plays, 73 yards, 4:38)}}|Score=WKU 45–24}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=5:38|Team=ASU|Event=Christian Wells 62-yard pass from Chase Brice (Chandler Staton kick)
{{Small|(1 play, 62 yards, 00:18)}}|Score=WKU 45–31}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=2:42|Team=WKU|Event=Jerreth Sterns 37-yard pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(6 plays, 75 yards, 2:56)}}|Score=WKU 52–31}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=4|QuarterEntries=2|Time=9:40|Team=WKU|Event=Kye Robichaux 2-yard run (Brayden Narveson kick)
{{Small|(2 plays, 2 yards, 00:09)}}|Score=WKU 59–31}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry|Quarter=|Time=1:55|Team=ASU|Event=Anderson Castle 9-yard run (Chandler Staton kick)
{{Small|(7 plays, 69 yards, 2:17)}}|Score=WKU 59–38|LastEntry=yes}}

{{see also|2021 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team|2021 Boca Raton Bowl}}

class="wikitable"

align="center"

! style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Pregame line!!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers|color=white}}|Over/under

align="center"

| WKU –1.0

68{{cite web |title=WKU Hilltoppers vs Appalachian State Mountaineers |url=https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/wku-appalachian-state-odds-december-18-2021-1593371 |website=Odds Shark |accessdate=18 December 2021 |language=en}}

class="wikitable" ! Statistics !! style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}"\|Western Kentucky!!style="{{NCAA color cell\|Appalachian State Mountaineers}}"\|Appalachian State
First downs	24	27
Total yards	609	637
Rushing yards	251	215
Passing yards	358	422
Turnovers	4	1
Time of possession	31:12	28:48

class="wikitable" style="float: left;" ! Team !! Category !! Player !! Statistics
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|Western Kentucky Hilltoppers}}; text-align:center;"\|Western Kentucky	Passing	Bailey Zappe	33/47, 422 yards, 6 TD
Rushing	Noah Wittington	7 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Jerreth Sterns	13 receptions, 184 yards, 3 TD
rowspan=3 style="{{NCAA color cell\|Appalachian State Mountaineers}}; text-align:center;"\|Appalachian State	Passing	Chase Brice	15/23, 317 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing	Camerun Peoples	13 carries, 101 yards
Receiving	Christian Wells	4 receptions, 86 yards, 1 TD

References

Western Kentucky

Category:Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football seasons

Category:Boca Raton Bowl champion seasons

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers