For the first time since 2008, Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky met on the gridiron when the two took the field at Houchens-Smith Stadium to open the 2017 season.
The matchup was the first time the two former rivals met since the Hilltoppers fully made the transition to the FBS level. The Hilltoppers defeated the Colonels 31-17 and opened the Mike Sanford era 1-0. Redshirt senior quarterback Mike White threw for 264 yards and one touchdown while redshirt sophomore Lucky Jackson caught five passes for a career high 144 yards and a touchdown.
The Hilltopper defense gave up just 67 rushing yards on 22 attempts.