(BCSNN) — WKU quarterback Maverick McIvor threw for 401 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing score as Western Kentucky opened the season with a 41–24 victory over Sam Houston on Saturday at Houchens-Smith Stadium.

The Hilltoppers (1–0, 1–0 C-USA) struck early, with McIvor connecting on a 26-yard scoring pass to Matthew Henry, capping a nine-play, 87-yard drive. Sam Houston answered with a 40-yard field goal, and the Bearkats (0–1, 0–1) grabbed a 10–7 lead on a stunning 55-yard quarterback run with just over 12 minutes to play in the first half.

WKU responded with a 1-yard plunge from new running back La’Vell Wright to take a 14–10 lead, the bookend of a 13-play, 75-yard drive. Kicker John Cannon added a pair of field goals — from 49 and 42 yards — before halftime, giving WKU a 20–10 edge at the break.

The Bearkats opened the third quarter strong, scoring on their first two possessions to seize a 24–20 lead — first on a 2-yard run, then on a 43-yard scoop-and-score following a forced fumble. But the Hilltoppers responded emphatically with three straight scores. McIvor found K.D. Hutchinson from nine yards out, then hit true freshman Marvis Parrish for a 22-yard touchdown, and finally capped the drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown of his own, pushing WKU ahead for good.

McIvor’s debut ranks among WKU’s most prolific: he became the first Hilltopper to top 400 passing yards since Austin Reed threw for 497 in the 2022 New Orleans Bowl. He also was the first WKU quarterback to attempt 50-plus passes since 2023’s Famous Toastery Bowl (that weird rescheduled Bahamas Bowl). Henry finished with seven catches for 148 yards and a touchdown — the program’s first 100-yard receiving game since Easton Messer in 2024.

Eight other receivers also caught passes, with six players hauling in at least three receptions. Parrish added 52 rushing yards on 12 carries and also had that 22-yard touchdown catch, finishing second in all-purpose yards. Defensively, twenty tackles-for-loss (nine TFLs, two sacks), an interception by Jaylen Lewis, and a staunch hold on third-down efficiency (Sam Houston was just 2-of-14) helped secure the win.

Special teams contributed as well: Cannon was a perfect 2-for-2 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points, and punter Cole Maynard averaged 50 yards on five punts, including a booming 71-yarder, the longest since 2012.

After the game, WKU coach Tyson Helton praised his team on the win. “Very proud of our football team tonight. To have the home opener and have a big conference win – that was a good football team we played tonight in Sam Houston. I thought we had a really good team win.”