Hilltoppers 27, Golden Eagles 16
Final · New Orleans Bowl · ESPN · Caesars Superdome · Attendance 16,693
2025 FBS playoffs: bracket and every series →| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 WKU | 3 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 27 |
 USM | 7 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers beat the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 27-16 on Dec 23, 2025 in the playoffs at Caesars Superdome.
Top performers
Maverick McIvor threw for 199 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception for the Hilltoppers.
Marvis Parrish ran for 65 yards on 7 carries.
Braylon Braxton threw for 258 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception for the Golden Eagles.
Jeffery Pittman ran for 55 yards on 10 carries.
Before and after
- Hilltoppers · 2025 season · Previous Nov 29, 2025: WKU 34, JXST 37
- Golden Eagles · 2025 season · Previous Nov 29, 2025: TROY 28, USM 18
Other Hilltoppers vs Golden Eagles games
| Nov 14, 2020 | USM at WKU | 7-10 | Regular |
| Nov 23, 2019 | WKU at USM | 28-10 | Regular |
| Dec 5, 2015 | USM at WKU | 28-45 | Regular |
| Sep 22, 2012 | USM at WKU | 17-42 | Regular |
