NEW ORLEANS (Dec. 23, 2025) — Maverick McIvor sparked Western Kentucky University’s comeback Tuesday night, leading three second-half touchdown drives off the bench as the Hilltoppers defeated Southern Mississippi 27–16 in the 25th annual New Orleans Bowl at the Caesars Superdome.

McIvor, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, entered late in the first half after the starter, Rodney Tisdale Jr. left with an injury. The seventh-year graduate student took control after halftime, totaling 245 yards in the second half — 199 through the air and 46 on the ground.

Western Kentucky (9–4) dominated after the break, piling up 334 of its 422 total yards

The Hilltoppers trailed 13–6 at halftime before McIvor tied the game on an 11-yard touchdown run with 6:57 left in the third quarter.

Southern Miss (7–6) briefly regained the lead early in the fourth quarter when Creighton Wilbanks drilled his third field goal of the night from 41 yards, making it 16–13. However, WKU responded with two touchdowns in the final eight minutes.

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