The 2016 WKU Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University (WKU) in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hilltoppers played their home games at the Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by third year head coach Jeff Brohm. They finished the season 11–3, 7–1 in C-USA play to win a share of the East Division title with Old Dominion. Due to their head-to-head victory over Old Dominion, WKU represented the East Division in the Conference USA Championship Game where they defeated Louisiana Tech to be crowned C-USA champions. They were invited to the Boca Raton Bowl where they defeated Memphis. This team led the NCAA in Scoring Offense.[1]
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Conference USA |
East Division |
11–3 (7–1 C-USA) |
- Jeff Brohm (regular season, 3rd as HC; 4th overall season)
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Brian Brohm (1st season) |
Tony Levine (1st season) |
Spread |
Nick Holt (interim HC during bowl, 4th year as DC) |
Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium (Capacity: 22,113) |
Seasons |
2016 Conference USA football standings |
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| Conf | | | Overall |
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Team | | W | | L | | | | | W | | L | |
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East Division |
Western Kentucky xy$ | | 7 | – | 1 | | | | | 11 | – | 3 | |
Old Dominion x | | 7 | – | 1 | | | | | 10 | – | 3 | |
Middle Tennessee | | 5 | – | 3 | | | | | 8 | – | 5 | |
FIU | | 4 | – | 4 | | | | | 4 | – | 8 | |
Charlotte | | 3 | – | 5 | | | | | 4 | – | 8 | |
Marshall | | 2 | – | 6 | | | | | 3 | – | 9 | |
Florida Atlantic | | 2 | – | 6 | | | | | 3 | – | 9 | |
West Division |
Louisiana Tech xy | | 6 | – | 2 | | | | | 9 | – | 5 | |
UTSA | | 5 | – | 3 | | | | | 6 | – | 7 | |
Southern Miss | | 4 | – | 4 | | | | | 7 | – | 6 | |
North Texas | | 3 | – | 5 | | | | | 5 | – | 8 | |
Rice | | 2 | – | 6 | | | | | 3 | – | 9 | |
UTEP | | 2 | – | 6 | | | | | 4 | – | 8 | |
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Championship: Western Kentucky 58, Louisiana Tech 44 |
- $ – Conference champion
- x – Division champion/co-champions
- y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll |
On December 5, head coach Jeff Brohm resigned to become the head coach at Purdue.[2] He finished at WKU with a record of 30–10, two bowl wins, and two C-USA titles. Defensive coordinator Nick Holt lead WKU in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Western Kentucky announced its 2016 football schedule on February 4, 2016. The 2016 schedule consists of 6 home and away games in the regular season. The Hilltoppers will host C–USA foes Florida International (FIU), North Texas, Old Dominion, and Rice, and will travel to Florida Atlantic, Louisiana Tech, Marshall, and Middle Tennessee.[3]
The team will play four non–conference games, two home games against Houston Baptist from the Southland Conference and Vanderbilt from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and two road games against Alabama from the SEC as well and Miami (Ohio) from the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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September 1 | 7:00 p.m. | Rice | - Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
- Bowling Green, KY
| CBSSN | W 46–14 | 19,286 |
September 10 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 1 Alabama* | - Bryant–Denny Stadium
- Tuscaloosa, AL
| ESPN2 | L 10–38 | 101,821 |
September 17 | 2:30 p.m. | at Miami (OH)* | | ESPN3 | W 31–24 | 19,822 |
September 24 | 3:30 p.m. | Vanderbilt* | - Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
- Bowling Green, KY
| CBSSN | L 30–31 OT | 23,674 |
October 1 | 6:00 p.m. | Houston Baptist* | - Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
- Bowling Green, KY
| CUSA.tv | W 50–3 | 17,331 |
October 6 | 7:00 p.m. | at Louisiana Tech | - Joe Aillet Stadium
- Ruston, LA
| CBSSN | L 52–55 | 17,978 |
October 15 | 1:30 p.m. | at Middle Tennessee | - Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
- Murfreesboro, TN (100 Miles of Hate)
| ESPN3 | W 44–43 2OT | 22,411 |
October 22 | 6:00 p.m. | Old Dominion | - Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
- Bowling Green, KY
| ASN | W 59–24 | 18,676 |
October 29 | 2:30 p.m. | at Florida Atlantic | - FAU Stadium
- Boca Raton, FL
| ASN | W 52–3 | 9,338 |
November 5 | 4:30 p.m. | FIU | - Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
- Bowling Green, KY
| beIN | W 49–21 | 15,516 |
November 12 | 2:30 p.m. | North Texas | - Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
- Bowling Green, KY
| ESPN3 | W 45–7 | 16,239 |
November 26 | 6:00 p.m. | at Marshall | - Joan C. Edwards Stadium
- Huntington, WV
| ESPNU | W 60–6 | 17,397 |
December 3 | 11:00 a.m. | Louisiana Tech | - Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
- Bowling Green, KY (C–USA Championship Game)
| ESPN | W 58–44 | 13,213 |
December 20 | 6:00 p.m. | vs. Memphis* | - FAU Stadium
- Boca Raton, FL (Boca Raton Bowl)
| ESPN | W 51–31 | 24,726 |
- *Non-conference game
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game
- All times are in Central time
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- Schedule Source:[4]