Venue, Date & Time
Location: Robert W. Plaster Stadium, Springfield, Missouri (Capacity: 17,500)
Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM CT
Broadcast: ESPN+
Weather Forecast (Springfield, MO)
Conditions: Clear skies, mild evening
Temperature: ~72°F (22°C) at kickoff, cooling into the mid-60s by the 4th quarter
Wind: 5–8 mph
Impact: Excellent football weather; minimal effect on passing/kicking
Injury Report
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
No major injuries reported; QB Caden Veltkamp and WR Malachi Corley expected to start.
Missouri State Bears
RB depth thin after early-season knocks, but starter Jacardia Wright is available.
WR Raylen Sharpe probable (ankle).
Key Player Matchups
QB Caden Veltkamp (WKU, 1,112 yds, 9 TD, 3 INT) vs. QB Amari Odom (MSU, 892 yds, 5 TD, 2 INT)
Veltkamp leads one of the nation’s most prolific passing attacks; Odom is a dual-threat who can extend plays.
WR Malachi Corley (WKU, 412 yds, 4 TD) vs. WR Raylen Sharpe (MSU, 301 yds, 2 TD)
Corley is a proven NFL prospect; Sharpe is Odom’s top target when healthy.
RB Davion Ervin-Poindexter (WKU, 211 yds, 3 TD) vs. RB Jacardia Wright (MSU, 278 yds, 3 TD)
Both backs provide balance to pass-heavy schemes.
LB JaQues Evans (WKU, 28 tackles, 2 sacks) vs. LB Baron Hopson (MSU, 33 tackles, 1 INT)
Evans is WKU’s defensive leader; Hopson is MSU’s tackling machine.
Recent Team Forms
Western Kentucky (3-1, C-USA)
W 31–16 vs. Nevada
L 45–21 @ Toledo
W 55–6 vs. North Alabama
W 41–24 vs. Sam Houston
Trend: Offense averaging 37 PPG, defense allowing 21.5 PPG.
Missouri State (2-2, MVFC/FCS transitioning)
W 42–10 vs. Tennessee-Martin
L 28–10 vs. SMU
W 21–20 @ Marshall
L 73–13 @ USC
Trend: Offense averaging 21.5 PPG, defense allowing 31.8 PPG.
Conference Context
Western Kentucky: Conference USA contender, looking to stay sharp before league play.
Missouri State: Missouri Valley Football Conference program, facing an FBS opponent in a showcase game.
Series History
All-time H2H: First-ever meeting between Western Kentucky and Missouri State.
Betting Trends
Western Kentucky:
3–1 ATS in 2025
3–1 O/U this season
6–2 SU in last 8 road games
Missouri State:
2–2 ATS in 2025
1–3 O/U this season
4–1 ATS in last 5 home games
Historical Betting Results
WKU 2025:
Covered vs. Nevada (-7.5), won 31–16 (Under 54.5)
Failed vs. Toledo (+7.5), lost 45–21 (Over 57.5)
Covered vs. North Alabama (-27.5), won 55–6 (Over 60.5)
Covered vs. Sam Houston (-10), won 41–24 (Over 59.5)
MSU 2025:
Covered vs. Tennessee-Martin (-14.5), won 42–10 (Under 55.5)
Covered vs. SMU (+28.5), lost 28–10 (Under 60.5)
Covered vs. Marshall (+7), won 21–20 (Under 53.5)
Failed vs. USC (+36.5), lost 73–13 (Over 60)
Game Odds
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – 4.5
Missouri St. Bears 60
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
