2004 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

American college football season March 2026 August 2023 2004 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football WKU Hilltoppers wordmark.png 175 Gateway Football Conference Gateway 11 9–3 6–1 David Elson 2nd T. J. Weist 2nd Multiple Mike Dietzel 1st 3–4 L. T. Smith Stadium NCAA Division I-AA First Round L 24–54 at Sam Houston State The 2004 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University in the 2004 NCAA Division I-AA football season and were led by second-year head coach David Elson. The team contended for Gateway Football Conference championship but finished 2nd.2019 MVC Football Records, retrieved 30 April 2020 They made the school's fifth straight appearance in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs; it would end up being WKU's last playoff appearance, as they would initiate transitioning to NCAA Division I-A/FBS in 2006. The Hilltoppers finished the season ranked 11th in final I-AA postseason national poll.Final Div. I-AA poll The Burlington Free Press Burlington, Vermont December 21, 2004 6B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11125735/poll_2004_1221_i_aa_tsn_final/ Newspapers.com May 20, 2017 This team included future National Football League (NFL) players Curtis Hamilton, Brian Claybourn, Dan Cline, and Greg Ryan. Claybourn and Buster Ashley were named to the AP All American team. The All-Conference team included Ashley, Claybourn, Deonté Smith, Charles Thompson, Antonio Thomas, Justin Haddix, Erik Losey, Lerron Moore, and Joe Woolridge.WKU Football Media Guide retrieved 31 March 2020. Schedule 2004 NCAA Division I-AA The Sports Network September 4 l y y 13 Kansas State 13 (I-A) KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS 13–27 46,740 September 11 w y 11 2004 Concord Mountain Lions Concord L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 58–0 10,390 September 18 w y y 11 2004 Eastern Kentucky Colonels Eastern Kentucky 20 Roy Kidd Stadium Richmond, KY Battle of the Bluegrass 21–8 22,700 October 2 w 6 2004 Youngstown State Penguins Youngstown State L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 44–19 11,619 October 9 w y 6 Northern Iowa 22 UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA 17–10 12,184 October 16 l y 4 Southern Illinois 1 Saluki Stadium Carbondale, IL 10–38 10,143 No. 1 SIU rolls over No. 4 Western https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91418512/messenger-inquirer/ December 29, 2021 Messenger-Inquirer October 17, 2004 4B Newspapers.com October 23 w y 10 2004 Indiana State Sycamores Indiana State L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 31–9 7,390 October 30 w 7 Illinois State L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 24–21 7,126 Haddix leads Hilltoppers past Illinois State, 24-21 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113761379/the-courier-journal/ November 27, 2022 The Courier-Journal Associated Press October 31, 2004 C9 Newspapers.com November 6 w y 5 Southwest Missouri State Plaster Sports Complex Springfield, MO 28–24 8,942 https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-hilltoppers-rally-pas/150297716/ Messenger-Inquirer Hilltoppers rally past Bears November 7, 2004 June 29, 2024 Newspapers.com November 13 w 5 Western Illinois L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 45–3 7,318 Grant Michael Hilltoppers run, run, run over Western Illinois, 45-3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93558447/the-courier-journal/ January 26, 2022 The Courier-Journal November 14, 2004 C9 Newspapers.com November 20 w y y 3 FIU Riccardo Silva Stadium Miami, FL 35–14 3,108 November 27 l y y 11 Sam Houston State 4 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX NCAA Division I-AA First Round 24–54 9,554 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114835594/hilltoppers-fall-hard-in-i-aa-playoffs/ The Courier-Journal Hilltoppers fall hard in I-AA playoffs, 54–24 November 28, 2004 December 18, 2022 Newspapers.com References Western Kentucky Category:Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football seasons Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football Western Kentucky