BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Maverick McIvor threw for 401 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score as Western Kentucky opened the college football and Conference USA season with a 41-24 win over Sam Houston on Saturday night.

McIvor, a transfer from Abilene Christian who turned 25 on Friday, had a pair of touchdowns less than five minutes apart in the third quarter for the rebuilt Hilltoppers, who returned only three starters from last year’s bowl team and brought in 47 transfers.

Sam Houston, also a bowl team last year but with a new coach in Phil Longo, got a short touchdown run from Alton McCaskill on the first drive of the second half. Jamair Diaz had a 43-yard scoop and score to stop WKU’s first possession of the third quarter for a 24-20 lead.

"Very proud of our football team

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