EKU wrecked WKU's "White Out" plans as their in-state rivalry returns to college football

Western Kentucky University‘s planned “White Out” for Saturday’s home opener in Bowling Green ran into a minor roadblock. Only days before the Hilltoppers host in-state rival Eastern Kentucky University at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium at Jimmy Feix Field, which is a mouthful of a name, the visiting Colonels threw a wrench in WKU’s plans by declining WKU’s request to wear white uniforms at home. According to NCAA rules, visiting teams wear white unless both parties agree to a uniform change before game day. On Tuesday, EKU declined WKU’s request and will wear its white uniforms to Western’s “White Out” on Saturday, according to WKU Athletics.

Now, THIS is how you rivalry. Outstanding work here by Eastern to juice up the reinstallment of the Battle of the Bluegrass. The longtime annual rivalry stopped playing in 2008 as Western jumped to the FBS level. On Saturday, Western and Eastern will meet for only the second time in 16 years, but Eastern already got things going with a midweek uniform war.

Read WKU’s official statement on the situation, sent out Wednesday afternoon:

“We announced our football game themes and promotions for the 2024 season on July 10 with Saturday’s home opener theme a “White Out.” Every season, we wear white helmets, uniforms, and pants for our annual White Out game.

However, EKU informed us on Tuesday of this week that they would be exercising their right as the visiting team to wear white uniforms, thus forcing us to wear red jerseys on Saturday. Per NCAA rules, both teams must agree to a uniform switch. We were hoping EKU would agree to allow us to wear white on Saturday, as many other opponents have in past years.

We still encourage our fans to show up, be loud, and wear white. Go Tops!”

– WKU Athletics

A statement on Saturday’s uniform: pic.twitter.com/mg8XUpAW1O

— WKU Football (@WKUFootball) September 4, 2024

WKU vs. EKU’s previous 25 results

Western Kentucky has the lead in the all-time series with a 48-35-3 record against Eastern. The Battle of the Bluegrass has been played 86 times dating back to 1914. Here are their last 25 meetings:

09/02/2017	Bowling Green, KY	Western Kentucky	31–17
09/06/2008	Richmond, KY	Western Kentucky	37–13
09/15/2007	Bowling Green, KY	Western Kentucky	26–6
09/09/2006	Richmond, KY	Eastern Kentucky	26–21
09/10/2005	Bowling Green, KY	Western Kentucky	23–21
09/18/2004	Richmond, KY	Western Kentucky	21–8
09/20/2003	Bowling Green, KY	Western Kentucky	36–3
10/07/2000	Bowling Green, KY	Western Kentucky	6–3
10/09/1999	Richmond, KY	Eastern Kentucky	30–10
09/19/1998	Bowling Green, KY	Eastern Kentucky	27–16
11/29/1997	Bowling Green, KY	Western Kentucky	42–14
09/13/1997	Richmond, KY	Western Kentucky	37–21
09/14/1996	Bowling Green, KY	Western Kentucky	14–7
09/09/1995	Richmond, KY	Eastern Kentucky	38–14
09/01/1994	Bowling Green, KY	Western Kentucky	24–21
09/02/1993	Richmond, KY	Western Kentucky	15–10
09/05/1992	Bowling Green, KY	Eastern Kentucky	21–7
10/12/1991	Richmond, KY	Eastern Kentucky	37–22
09/29/1990	Bowling Green, KY	Eastern Kentucky	35–12
09/23/1989	Richmond, KY	Eastern Kentucky	24–3
12/03/1988	Richmond, KY	Eastern Kentucky	41–24
09/24/1988	Bowling Green, KY	Western Kentucky	16–14
11/28/1987	Richmond, KY	Eastern Kentucky	40–17
10/03/1987	Richmond, KY	Eastern Kentucky	20–10
10/04/1986	Bowling Green, KY	Western Kentucky	24–10

Read the all-time head-to-head results here.