WKU Football: Bearcats, Trojans Added to Future Topper Schedules

Western Kentucky has announced home-and-home series with the University of Cincinnati and Troy in football.

Western Kentucky has announced home-and-home series with the University of Cincinnati and Troy in football.

Guess that tweet kind of speaks for itself, eh?

The Tops and Trojans renew their rivalry that dates back to the Sun Belt days, a series that sees Troy hold a 9–2–1 advantage.

Sept. 20, 2025 will mark the first ever meeting on the gridiron between the Chrome Domes and Bearcats in the inaugural Michelle Clark-Heard bowl.

“Attractive, regional match-ups are always something we strive for in scheduling, and the addition of Cincinnati and Troy continue that trend for our future football schedules,” WKU athletic director Todd Stewart said in the school’s official press release. “Fan bases from each program will be able to easily travel to these games, whether they are here in Houchens-Smith Stadium or on the road, and they will be exciting, competitive match-ups.”

With the announcement of the Troy series, the school says the Tops’ future non-conference scheduling is complete through the 2023 campaign.

The 2022 non-conference schedule features games at Hawaii, Indiana and Auburn, along with Austin Peay and the Trojans at home.

2023 sees South Florida and Houston Baptist come to the Hill, with two trips to Dixie to face Bama and Troy.

Liberty is the only other non-con team scheduled for the 2025 season, as of now, and the Bearcats are the lone 2026 matchup on the books for the Tops.

Troy had a dip in their consistency as the top dog in the Sun Belt in the latter years of the Tops’ tenure in the conference, but they’ve since returned to the mountain. It’ll be an interesting barometer for both teams come 2022.

The same can be said for Cincinnati, who has had trouble finding success since logging consecutive 10–3 campaigns in 2011–2012.