Offense, defense square off in Red & White Spring Showcase

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football concluded its spring on Saturday at Houchens-Smith Stadium with the Red & White Spring Showcase, presented by SA Recycling.

The event, which was free for fans to attend, saw the Hilltopper offense face off against the defense in a series of drives. No score or stats were kept for the Red & White Spring Showcase.

“I thought it was a good competition today,” WKU Football Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “It was good to see the offense come out and have a hot hand – scored early and got momentum. That was good to see. The defense came up with some critical third down stops. That was good to see. A lot of players played and we got a lot of evaluation today. It was a good ending to a very successful spring.”

Offensively, the Hilltoppers were led by quarterback Maverick McIvor, who threw four touchdown passes and led five drives overall that ended in touchdowns.

“I think we finally put a great day together,” McIvor said. “We went five-for-five on the offensive side, so we felt really confident. This guy (Cameron Flowers) had a great day. We had a great day. Finally feeling confident in the pocket. The playbook is starting to slow down for me, for us, and we’re starting to put good days back-to-back.”

The first drive of the Showcase was capped off by an 8-yard touchdown pass from McIvor to Moussa Barry. McIvor also threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Flowers, an 18-yard touchdown pass to Noah Meyers and a 14-yard scoring pass to Flowers. George Hart III found the end zone on a 3-yard run, two plays after McIvor and Meyers connected on a 31-yard gain.

“First, I’d like to thank my teammates for putting me in position,” Flowers said. “(McIvor) had a great day, too. The OC (Rick Bowie) called great plays and tried to get me open and we just executed.”
The defensive performance was highlighted by interceptions from Jaylen Lewis and Xavion “Tutu” Griffin.

“I knew it was coming, and the way the receiver lined up – he lined up on the hash – I played outside leverage and I just knew it was coming,” Griffin said. “I saw the ball in the air, and I just had to go get it.”

Prior to the Red & White Spring Showcase, the team gathered with former players for the WKU Football Alumni Spring Banquet and team award ceremony.

McIvor was named the team’s Spring Offensive MVP, while defensive end Harper Holloman was named Spring Defensive MVP. Flowers was named the Spring Offensive Most Improved Player, and linebacker Koron Hayward was named Spring Defensive Most Improved Player.

“I’m blessed,” Holloman said. “The hard work I put in every day, day in and day out, extra film, ice tub, taking care of my body, listening to the coaches and just doing my job, it’s just helped me every day. I’m just blessed.”
Offensive lineman Marshall Jackson was the recipient of the Al Almond Award, which has been given since 1968 to a Hilltopper player who displays devotion to character, loyalty, ability and love of fellow man. Wide receiver Justin Brown earned the Jimbo DeVries Outstanding Walk-On Award, which has been presented since 2008. The Darryl Drake Aware, presented in honor of a player who has displayed remarkable perseverance, was given to defensive back Virgil Marshall.

The Hilltoppers are scheduled to open the 2025 season with a Week 0 Conference USA game against Sam Houston on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Houchens-Smith Stadium.