Tisdale throws four touchdowns as Western Kentucky beats Mercyhurst 52-7

Western Kentucky turned its home opener into its first win of the season, beating Mercyhurst 52-7 Saturday at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Rodney Tisdale Jr. threw four touchdown passes, and the Hilltoppers led 31-0 at halftime. Mercyhurst scored once in the third quarter, after Western Kentucky had already stretched the margin to 45 points. The Hilltoppers moved to 1-3; the Lakers fell to 1-4.

The scoring began with a 72-yard Tisdale pass to Nigel Johnson. Karl Campbell added a 35-yard field goal before the first quarter ended. Tisdale found Cameron Flowers for a 23-yard touchdown early in the second. Brock Glenn’s one-yard run made it 24-0, and Tisdale connected with Ajay Allen for a 41-yard score just over a minute before halftime. Western Kentucky had five scoring possessions before Mercyhurst appeared on the scoreboard.

Tisdale’s fourth touchdown pass, a 20-yarder to Quincy Burroughs, opened the second-half scoring. Glenn then found Lofton Howard for a three-yard touchdown pass. Alex Gevaudan finally answered for Mercyhurst with a 10-yard throw to Sha’lik Hampton late in the third quarter. Glenn closed the scoring in the fourth with a 72-yard touchdown pass to Zion Taylor. The sequence gave Western Kentucky scoring plays through the air from multiple passers and put the game far beyond reach before Mercyhurst’s only touchdown.

The final ESPN box score lists Tisdale at 19 completions in 23 attempts for 309 yards and four touchdown passes. The team finished with 413 net passing yards and 596 total yards. Glenn’s rushing touchdown and two second-half scoring throws added to the offense after Tisdale’s four touchdowns had set the tone. Western Kentucky made 24 first downs and converted six of 11 third downs.

Mercyhurst gained 264 yards and 14 first downs. Gevaudan completed 22 of 44 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. Jameir Gamble led the Lakers’ rushers with 58 yards on nine carries. Mercyhurst held the ball for 31:27, more than the Hilltoppers, but converted six of 17 third downs and reached the end zone only once. Time of possession alone did not make this competitive after Western Kentucky’s early explosive plays.

The WKU team preview identified Saturday as its first home game of 2026 and placed it on Parent and Family Weekend. That context helps explain the setting; the verified final supplies the outcome. WKU’s opening three losses made the win meaningful in the standings, but the result does not settle how it will perform against upcoming conference opponents. No unsupported postgame quotation is used here.