![\"WKU\u2019s](\"https:\/\/platform.underdogdynasty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2026\/10\/wku4.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWKU\u2019s defense takes the field against Sam Houston during its 16-3 victory on Oct. 14, 2026. Steve Helwick<\/p>\n
The Hilltoppers produced one of their most dominant defensive performances in years, holding an FBS opponent without a touchdown for the first time since 2022, when they blanked FIU 73-0. Sam Houston never even reached the red zone on its home field, notching just three points on a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know we can be a good defensive football team,\u201d Helton said. \u201cWe still got a lot of things to work on, that\u2019s pretty clear. But we\u2019re coming together as a team, playing well together as a team. I like being a defensive-driven football team. I know I\u2019m an offensive guy, but there\u2019s nothing better than holding somebody to three points, so I\u2019ll take that every time.\u201d<\/p>\n
WKU\u2019s secondary was the defining unit of the defensive-driven victory. Sam Houston quarterback Landyn Locke threw for at least 300 yards in each of his first three outings this season, but the Hilltoppers held him to 112 yards on a 13-of-30 performance. WKU\u2019s defensive backs disrupted the air with seven pass breakups. Herard was the leader of the movement, while Tony Newsome Jr. and Jaylen Lewis played pivotal roles as disruptors. Newsome was also responsible for the game\u2019s lone takeaway, intercepting Locke early in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey just brought so much energy, it just felt so good to be out there playing ball,\u201d Herard said of the defensive backs. \u201cWhen somebody made a play, I was so excited to celebrate. I just wanted to go out there and celebrate with my teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Hilltoppers established control from the opening possession, marching 65 yards on 11 plays. The series concluded in a 23-yard delivery from Brock Glenn to tight end Coleson Arends to hand the Hilltoppers an early 7-0 lead that would never be relinquished.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were talking about that all week, scoring on that play and the celebration, so we were excited to do that,\u201d Glenn said of his connection with Arends.<\/p>\n
That would be the only touchdown of the night, and nobody reached the end zone for the final 55 minutes of action. Still, WKU found a way to get on the board in all four quarters thanks to Karl Campbell. The kicker proved automatic with three makes on three attempts \u2014 all within the 30 to 40-yard range \u2014 providing his team the cushion it needed to preserve a comfortable victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe gotta just finish drives,\u201d Helton said. \u201cWe\u2019ve gotta convert on short-yardage. We had two short-yardage \u2014 3rd-and-1s \u2014 that we didn\u2019t make. So we gotta do those things to keep drives alive and then we gotta make explosive plays. We didn\u2019t make enough explosive plays, especially in the red zone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Glenn made his third start of the season in place of Rodney Tisdale Jr., who was available but continues to recover from an ankle injury. For a program renowned for its prolific passing game, Glenn played an atypical role for a WKU quarterback. The Florida State transfer ran the ball 22 times for 54 yards, with designed QB draws serving as a staple of the Hilltopper offense.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel good, my body feels good,\u201d Glenn said about shouldering the load on the ground. \u201cI think it\u2019s very necessary because it makes the defense defend all aspects of the game. I love running the ball. I love the throwing the ball. It adds a different element to the game that the defense has to prepare for.\u201d<\/p>\n