The No. 17/16 Michigan State Spartans (4-0, 2-0) have yet another night game for the second week in a row, as the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers come to town for the final non-conference game of the 2021 regular season. The high-flying WKU offense will hope to pull off the upset over MSU, as the Hilltoppers visit East Lansing and “The Woodshed” for the first time ever.

While the Spartans enter the matchup undefeated, the Hilltoppers have a potent offense through the air that could push the Michigan State secondary to the limits. However, it will be an electric night as Spartan Stadium hosts its second night game in a row for just the second time in its history (2019 against Tulsa and Western Michigan was the other occurrence, both wins), and the 25th night game ever. MSU is 17-7 in previous night games at Spartan Stadium.

All-time, Saturday’s matchup marks the first ever meeting between the programs as Michigan State has never played Western Kentucky. However, the Hilltoppers gave MSU’s fellow Big Ten rival, Indiana, all it could handle in a 33-31 loss to the Hoosiers at Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky this past Saturday, Sept. 25. The game marked the second time IU has traveled to WKU, the other being a win in 2010. MSU will face off against the Hoosiers in Bloomington in two weeks on Oct. 16.

The Saturday’s game will mark the 105th homecoming game for Michigan State. MSU has held one every year since 1915 with the exception of 1943 and 2020. The Spartans are 68-33-3 all-time in homecoming games. Despite a poor showing last week, Michigan State enters this matchup with the fourth-highest scoring offense in the Big Ten (30th in FBS) with 35.2 points per game, and is third in the conference in rushing at 215.5 yards per game (22nd in FBS). The game should offer an exciting duel between offenses.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1-2, 0-0 Conference USA) vs. Michigan State Spartans (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten)

Date: Saturday, Oct. 2
Kickoff: 7:40 p.m. EDT

MEDIA COVERAGE

TV: Big Ten Network
Web/Mobile: Foxsports.com/FOX Sports App
Play-by-Play: Joe Beninati
Analyst: J Leman
Sideline: Michelle McMahon

RADIO: Spartan Media Network
Play-by-Play: George Blaha
Analyst: Jason Strayhorn
Sideline: Steve Courtney
Broadcast Host: Will Tieman
Website/Mobile: msuspartans.com/MSU Spartans app/Tune In radio
Flagship Stations: Lansing: WMMQ (94.9 FM)/WJIM (1240 AM); Detroit: WJR (760 AM); Grand Rapids: WBFX (101.3 FM)
Affiliates: 30 affiliates listed at msuspartans.com
Satellite: Ch. 136 (Sirius), Ch. 197 (XM), Ch. 957 (SiriusXM.com)
Pre-game Show: Begins at 6 p.m

Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (74,866, down 139 seats from previous capacity)
Surface: Natural grass
All-Time Series: First meeting

COACHES:
MSU Head Coach: Mel Tucker
MSU Record: 6-5 (second year)
Overall Record: 11-12 (third year)
Record vs. WKU: 0-0

Western Kentucky Head Coach: Tyson Helton
WKU Record: 15-13 (third year)
Overall Record: 15-13 (third year)
Record vs. MSU: 0-0

Don’t forget to follow along during the game with The Only Colors on Facebook and Twitter (@TheOnlyColors) all game long, and as always here on the website in our game thread.

Go Green!