2002 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 2002 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football WKU Hilltoppers wordmark.png 175 Gateway Football Conference Gateway 1 12–3 7–1 Jack Harbaugh 14th Willie Taggart 2nd Keven Lightner 2nd Multiple David Elson 2nd 3–4 L. T. Smith Stadium NCAA Division I-AA championGateway co-champion NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game W 34–14 vs. McNeese State The 2002 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University in the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA football season and were led by head coach Jack Harbaugh in his 14th and final season as head coach. They claimed a share of the Gateway Football Conference championship and made the school's third straight appearance in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.2019 MVC Football Records, retrieved 30 April 2020 After a rocky start, the team rallied to win their last 10 games including the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game, beating McNeese State, 34–14, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Hilltoppers finished the season ranked number 1 in both final 1AA postseason national polls.Div. I-AA poll The Burlington Free Press Burlington, Vermont December 24, 2002 6B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11125770/poll_2002_1224_i_aa_tsn_final/ Newspapers.com May 20, 2017 This team won the school's first NCAA team championship and tied the program record for victories in a season set by the 1973 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team. Their roster included future National Football League (NFL) players Sherrod Coates, Jeremi Johnson, and Brian Claybourn, and future NFL coach Jason Michael. Coates, Chris Price, and Buster Ashley were named to the AP All American team and Harbuagh was named AFCA Coach of the Year Award. The All Conference team included Ashley, Coates, Price, Jeremy Chandler, Erik Dandy, Jon Frazier, and Daniel Withrow.WKU Football Media Guide retrieved 31 March 2020. Schedule 2002 NCAA Division I-AA The Sports Network Central August 31 6:10 pm l y y 18 Kansas State KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS 3–48 45,844 September 7 5:30 pm w y 22 2002 Kentucky State Thorobreds Kentucky State L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 49–0 9,500 September 14 1:30 pm l 21 Western Illinois L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 0–14 6,000 Herbst Rob Hilltoppers sacked by WIU https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87955950/ October 30, 2021 The Daily News September 15, 2021 1B Newspapers.com September 21 5:30 pm w 2002 Youngstown State Penguins Youngstown State 11 L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 13–7 10,100 September 28 7:00 pm l y y 25 McNeese State 2 Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA 13–38 16,840 https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-hilltoppers-fall-381/177081180/ Messenger-Inquirer Hilltoppers fall 38–13 at No. 2 McNeese State September 29, 2002 July 20, 2025 Newspapers.com October 5 4:05 pm w y Northern Iowa 6 UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA 31–12 14,684 October 12 5:30 pm w y FIU L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 56–7 6,000 October 19 1:30 pm w y 24 Southwest Missouri State Plaster Sports Complex Springfield, MO 31–7 13,002 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-michael-leads-wester/150353204/ The Courier-Journal Michael leads Western's 31–7 rout October 20, 2002 June 30, 2024 Newspapers.com October 26 4:30 pm w y 22 Indiana State L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 24–7 11,200 November 2 4:30 pm w 19 Illinois State L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 9–0 5,600 Brown C. L. Defense dominates in Western's 9-0 win https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114275870/the-courier-journal/ December 7, 2022 The Courier-Journal November 3, 2002 C9 Newspapers.com November 16 1:30 pm w y 15 Southern Illinois Saluki Stadium Carbondale, IL 48–16 3,203 Hilltoppers top Salukis for share of league title https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92541796/the-courier-journal/ January 13, 2022 The Courier-Journal November 17, 2002 C9 Newspapers.com November 30 1:00 pm w y 15 Murray State 23 L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY NCAA Division I-AA First Round, Battle for the Red Belt 59–20 3,300 Herbst Rob Western mangles Murray https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-park-city-daily-news/206386584/ September 20, 2026 Park City Daily News December 1, 2002 1B Newspapers.com December 7 1:00 pm w y y 15 Western Illinois 3 Hanson Field Macomb, IL NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal 31–28 3,300 Jauss Bill Kicker's premonition turns into truth https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88051230/ October 30, 2021 Chicago Tribune December 8, 2021 3:5 Newspapers.com December 14 1:05 pm w y y 15 Georgia Southern 2 Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal 31–28 6,573 December 20, 2002 5:30 pm w y y 15 McNeese State 1 Finley Stadium Chattanooga, TN NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game 34–14 12,360 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-star-w-kentucky-avenges-early/177082030/ The News-Star W. Kentucky avenges early loss December 21, 2002 July 20, 2025 Newspapers.com Rankings 2002 NCAA Division I-AA football rankings The Sports Network 0 14 18 22 21 RV 25 RV RV RV 24 22 19 15 15 15 1 (41) Game summaries At Kansas State 2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse No. 18 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Kansas State Wildcats – Game summary August 31 6:10 p.m. CDT No. 18 Hilltoppers 0 0 0 3 Wildcats 3 31 7 7 KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas 45,844 Clear, 89 F C John Laurie Box score, Recap First quarter KSU – Joe Rheem 36-yard field goal, 10:26. Wildcats 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 4:34. Second quarter KSU – Ayo Saba 2-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 12:57. Wildcats 10–0. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 5:57. KSU – Bobby Walker 73-yard interception return (Joe Rheem kick), 8:56. Wildcats 17–0. KSU – Danny Morris 7-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 4:51. Wildcats 24–0. Drive: 3 plays, 62 yards, 1:01. KSU – Darren Sproles 9-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 3:45. Wildcats 31–0. Drive: 1 play, 9 yards, 0:06. KSU – Joe Rheem 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Wildcats 34–0. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 0:00. Third quarter KSU – Ell Roberson 18-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 3:47. Wildcats 41–0. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 4:31. Fourth quarter WKU – Peter Martinez 30-yard field goal, 7:18. Wildcats 41–3. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 6:09. KSU – Ayo Saba 2-yard run (Jared Brite kick), 1:27. Wildcats 48–3. Drive: 14 plays, 89 yards, 5:51. Statistics WKUKSU First downs 12 23 Total yards 183 412 Rushing yards 110 240 Passing yards 73 172 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 31:55 27:14 Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Jason Michael 7/11, 73 yards, INT Rushing Maurice Bradley 19 rushes, 64 yards Receiving Casey Rooney 2 receptions, 28 yardsKansas State Passing Ell Roberson 4/8, 108 yards Rushing Darren Sproles 19 rushes, 135 yards, TD Receiving Derrick Evans 3 receptions, 74 yards Kentucky State Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse Kentucky State Thorobreds at No. 22 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary September 7 5:30 p.m. CDT Thorobreds 0 0 0 0 No. 22 Hilltoppers 14 17 9 9 L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky 9,500 Statistics KSUWKU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsKentucky State Passing Rushing Receiving Western Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving Western Illinois 2002 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse Western Illinois Leathernecks at No. 21 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary September 14 1:30 p.m. CDT Leathernecks 7 7 0 0 No. 21 Hilltoppers 0 0 0 0 L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky 6,000 Statistics WIUWKU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Illinois Passing Rushing Receiving Western Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving No. 11 Youngstown State Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse No. 11 Youngstown State Penguins at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary September 21 5:30 p.m. CDT No. 11 Penguins 0 7 0 0 Hilltoppers 3 7 3 0 L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky 10,100 Statistics YSUWKU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsYoungstown State Passing Rushing Receiving Western Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving At No. 2 McNeese State 2002 McNeese State Cowboys football team Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse No. 25 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 2 McNeese State Cowboys – Game summary September 28 7:00 p.m. CDT No. 25 Hilltoppers 0 10 3 0 No. 2 Cowboys 14 7 7 10 Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, Louisiana 16,840 Statistics WKUMCN First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving McNeese State Passing Rushing Receiving At No. 6 Northern Iowa 2002 Northern Iowa Panthers football team Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 6 Northern Iowa Panthers – Game summary October 5 4:05 p.m. CDT Hilltoppers 0 7 10 14 No. 6 Panthers 3 0 3 6 UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, Iowa 14,684 Statistics WKUUNI First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving Northern Iowa Passing Rushing Receiving FIU 2002 FIU Golden Panthers football team Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse FIU Panthers at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary October 12 5:30 p.m. CDT Panthers 0 0 0 7 Hilltoppers 21 21 0 14 L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky 6,000 77 F C Bill Etzler First quarter WKU – Jason Michael 7-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 9:53. Hilltoppers 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:13. WKU – Jon Frazier 3-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 7:10. Hilltoppers 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 45 yards, 1:48. WKU – Jason Michael 8-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 1:59. Hilltoppers 21–0. Drive: 6 plays, 42 yards, 2:58. Second quarter WKU – Jerome Reaves 25-yard pass from Jason Michael (Peter Martinez kick), 10:53. Hilltoppers 28–0. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 3:40. WKU – Jason Michael 1-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 7:18. Hilltoppers 35–0. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 3:21. WKU – Patrick Reynolds 1-yard fumble return (Peter Martinez kick), 5:42. Hilltoppers 42–0. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter WKU – Maurice Bradley 3-yard run (Wilson Wickerham kick), 13:45. Hilltoppers 49–0. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:23. FIU – Cory McKinney 2-yard pass from David Tabor (Adam Moss kick), 11:02. Hilltoppers 49–7. Drive: 3 plays, 2 yards, 0:49. WKU – Alex Dukes 1-yard run (Matt Lange kick), 3:19. Hilltoppers 56–7. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 7:43. Statistics FIUWKU First downs 7 28 Total yards 65 498 Rushing yards -7 401 Passing yards 72 97 Turnovers 5 3 Time of possession 23:13 36:47 Team Category Player StatisticsFIU Passing Jamie Burke 5/14, 75 yards, 4 INT Rushing Rashod Smith 6 rushes, 21 yards Receiving Harold Leath 2 receptions, 38 yardsWestern Kentucky Passing Jason Michael 6/10, 97 yards, TD, INT Rushing Jon Frazier 15 rushes, 126 yards, TD Receiving Jeremi Johnson 2 receptions, 45 yards At Southwest Missouri State 2002 Southwest Missouri State Bears football team Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse No. 24 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Southwest Missouri State Bears – Game summary October 19 1:30 p.m. CDT No. 24 Hilltoppers 7 7 10 7 Bears 7 0 0 0 Plaster Sports Complex, Springfield, Missouri 13,002 Statistics WKUSMS First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving Southwest Missouri State Passing Rushing Receiving Indiana State 2002 Indiana State Sycamores football team Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse Indiana State Sycamores at No. 22 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary October 26 4:30 p.m. CDT Sycamores 7 0 0 0 No. 22 Hilltoppers 10 14 0 0 L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky 11,200 Statistics INSWKU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsIndiana State Passing Rushing Receiving Western Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving Illinois State 2002 Illinois State Redbirds football team Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse Illinois State Redbirds at No. 19 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary November 2 4:30 p.m. CST Redbirds 0 0 0 0 No. 19 Hilltoppers 0 6 3 0 L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky 5,600 Statistics ILSWKU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsIllinois State Passing Rushing Receiving Western Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving At Southern Illinois 2002 Southern Illinois Salukis football team Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Southern Illinois Salukis – Game summary November 16 1:30 p.m. CST No. 15 Hilltoppers 7 13 14 14 Salukis 3 0 6 7 Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, Illinois 3,203 Statistics WKUSIU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving Southern Illinois Passing Rushing Receiving No. 23 Murray State (NCAA Division I-AA First Round) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse No. 23 Murray State Racers at No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (NCAA Division I-AA First Round) – Game summary November 30 1:00 p.m. CST No. 23 Racers 0 14 0 6 No. 15 Hilltoppers 24 14 7 14 L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky 3,300 Statistics MURWKU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsMurray State Passing Rushing Receiving Western Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving At No. 3 Western Illinois (NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 3 Western Illinois (NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal) – Game summary December 7 1:00 p.m. CST No. 15 Hilltoppers 0 7 7 17 No. 3 Leathernecks 0 14 7 7 Hanson Field, Macomb, Illinois 3,300 Statistics WKUWIU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving Western Illinois Passing Rushing Receiving At No. 2 Georgia Southern (NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal) 2002 Georgia Southern Eagles football team Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 2 Georgia Southern Eagles (NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal) – Game summary December 14 1:05 p.m. CST/2:05 p.m. EST No. 15 Hilltoppers 7 10 7 7 No. 2 Eagles 7 0 0 21 Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, Georgia 6,573 Statistics WKUGSO First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Rushing Receiving Georgia Southern Passing Rushing Receiving Vs No. 1 McNeese State (NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game) 2002 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game Western Kentucky Hilltoppers white ;text-align:center; autocollapse No. 15 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. No. 1 McNeese State Cowboys (NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game) – Game summary December 20, 2002 5:30 p.m. CST No. 15 Hilltoppers 7 10 7 10 No. 1 Cowboys 0 6 8 0 Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, Tennessee 12,360 Partly cloudy, 48 F C A. Bellows ESPN2 Ron Franklin, Mike Gottfried, and Adrian Karsten Box score, Recap First quarter WKU – Jeremi Johnson 16-yard pass from Jason Michael (Peter Martinez kick), 9:36. Hilltoppers 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 3:01. Second quarter WKU – Jon Frazier 55-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 14:51. Hilltoppers 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 88 yards, 1:53. MCN – John Marino 30-yard field goal, 7:32. Hilltoppers 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:37. WKU – Peter Martinez 40-yard field goal, 4:55. Hilltoppers 17–3. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 2:37. MCN – John Marino 24-yard field goal, 0:07. Hilltoppers 17–6. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 0:48. Third quarter WKU – Jon Frazier 14-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 11:03. Hilltoppers 24–6. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:05. MCN – Luke Lawton 15-yard pass from Scott Pendarvis (Scott Pendarvis pass to Jeff Hamilton), 3:49. Hilltoppers 24–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:13. Fourth quarter WKU – Jason Michael 2-yard run (Peter Martinez kick), 13:49. Hilltoppers 31–14. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 5:00. WKU – Peter Martinez 23-yard field goal, 2:51. Hilltoppers 34–14. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:36. Statistics WKUMCN First downs 13 26 Total yards 380 405 Rushing yards 195 137 Passing yards 185 268 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 30:18 29:42 Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Jason Michael 6/10, 185 yards, TD Rushing Jon Frazier 27 rushes, 159 yards, 2 TD Receiving Jeremi Johnson 3 receptions, 90 yards, TDMcNeese State Passing Scott Pendarvis 21/38, 244 yards, TD, INT Rushing Marcus Trahan 12 rushes, 82 yards Receiving B. J. Sams 7 receptions, 69 yards References Western Kentucky Category:Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football seasons Category:NCAA Division I Football Champions Category:Missouri Valley Football Conference champion seasons Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football Category:Long stubs with short prose Western Kentucky