Western Kentucky University NCAA News

In their only preseason tune-up of 2009-10, the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers treated a crowd of 4,128 at Diddle Arena to a 90-37 win over Xavier University of Louisiana.

After 33 straight losses, transfer ready for victory WKU newcomer Milosevic played for infamous NJIT BOWLING GREEN, Ky.

Expectations around Western Kentucky University have taken a quantum leap. It wasn't too long ago that fans were wondering when the Hilltoppers were going to get back to the NCAA tournament.

Shawn Southward ran for 140 yards and four touchdowns in Troy's 40-20 victory over Western Kentucky on Saturday night.

For Troy offensive line coach John Schlarman, Saturday's game at Western Kentucky is more than just another Sun Belt Conference game.

Seniors Marell Booker and Taurean Smith, junior Seth Tamme and sophomore Jared Clendenin have been named team captains for Saturday's Western Kentucky University football game at North Texas.

OUTLOOK: Western Kentucky continues to solidify its standing as the class of the Sun Belt Conference.

Originally published October 31, 2009 at 5:59 p.m., updated October 31, 2009 at 8:49 p.m. DENTON, Texas a ' Someone had to win Saturday's game between the Sun Belt Conference's last two winless teams.

Although they share a wide range of thoughts and views, coaches sometimes agree on certain issues.

Line: North Texas by 11. Series Record: North Texas leads 2-0. Last meeting: 2008, North Texas 51-40.> North Texas has lost six in a row, the latest a 50-26 setback to Troy last weekend.

NEW ORLEANS - WKU and North Texas have been picked to lead the Sun Belt Conference this season, while Hilltopper senior guard A.J. Slaughter headlines the Preseason All-Conference team, as voted on by the league's 13 head coaches.

MTSU kicker Alan Gendreau made a 38-yard field goal for his ninth consecutive made field goal, a Blue Raiders' record.

Breakout games aren't only limited to MTSU's offense, which exploded in a 62-24 win Saturday over visiting Western Kentucky on homecoming.

Dwight Dasher threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two more scores to lead Middle Tennessee to a 62-24 win over Western Kentucky on Saturday.

When MTSU and Western Kentucky renewed their football rivalry two years ago after a 16-year hiatus, some wondered if the game could regain its meaning.

Western Kentucky defeated a five seed, Illinois , in last year's NCAA Tournament opening round before losing by just two points to another noted mid-major, Gonzaga , 83-81, in the second round.

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Nemanja Milosevic, a 6-8, 240-pound senior transfer from New Jersey Tech, is an intriguing newcomer who gives Western Kentucky some bulk inside.

Bobby Rainey rushed for a career-high 115 yards, but a fourth-quarter comeback attempt fell short as the Western Kentucky University football team dropped a 30-22 decision to Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday night at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

The Raiders play Western at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Floyd Field. Middle comes into the game with a 3-3 record after two tough losses to Sun Belt Conference rival and SEC foe Mississipi State.

It hasn't been the ideal senior season for Jake Gaebler. The Western Kentucky University wide receiver has missed two games with a right hamstring injury.