With the last two weeks of play underway, LSU football is gearing up for its last Saturday night in Death Valley this year.
Competing against unranked Western Kentucky, the unranked Tigers are looking to add another win to its record. If the light shines in favor of the purple and gold players, this will be interim head coach Frank Wilson’s second victory in his position.
However, until the game hits ground this weekend, Tiger fans should be aware of any potential threats on the other side of the ball, so here are four WKU players to watch.
Maverick McIvor
Leading the Western Kentucky Hilltopper’s offense in passing yards is graduate quarterback Maverick McIvor.
McIvor is new to the Hilltopper program, having transferred to the team this year from Abilene Christian University. The San Angelo, Texas, native has thrown 9,898 yards and 73 touchdowns across 1,344 passing attempts.
1,863 of those yards are from his time at Western Kentucky as well as 12 of his career touchdowns. Hilltopper fans saw his highest scoring game at the beginning of the 2025-26 season, where he threw 305 yards and five touchdowns.
With only five interceptions this season and a 67.3% completion rate in passing, if McIvor can’t be tamed then LSU might have something to worry about.
Marcis Parrish
When it comes to Western Kentucky’s rushing game, all eyes are on freshman running back Marvis Parrish.
In his debut season, Parrish is leading his team in rushing yards. With 80 rushing attempts and 427 yards under his feet, the Valdosta, Georgia, native averages 5.3 yards per rushing attempt on the field.
Parrish has secured one touchdown for the Hilltoppers, which was caught in their 41-24 victory against the Sam Houston Bearkats. Parrish is also responsible for a solo tackle this season.
Matthew Henry
Followingon the offensive side of the ball is redshirt senior wide receiver Matthew Henry.
The Miami, Florida, native is competing in his first season for the Hilltoppers, having transferred from Western Illinois University, where he played for the Leathernecks for one year.
With 105 career receptions, 1,882 yards and 12 touchdowns to his name, Henry has averaged 17.9 yards per reception.
Hilltopper fans saw his season high in scoring in Western Kentucky’s 35-16 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies, where he caught two touchdowns across seven receptions.
Jaylen Wester
Working with Western Kentucky’s defense is senior linebacker Jaylen Wester, who leads the team in tackles.
Wester is another transfer this year, having competed for Florida Atlantic University and the Colorado Buffaloes.
The Palmetto, Florida, native has 195 career tackles and 2.5 — 104 of those solo and 91 of those assisted. At WKU, he’s made 104 solo tackles and 91 assisted so far, along with half of a sack completed on the Hilltoppers’ territory as well.
