Masai Whyte’s first time playing on Feix Field was in high school in 2013.

The linebacker was a senior at Collins High School and helped the Titans stun six-time reigning champion Highlands for the Class 4A state championship in one of the most memorable title games ever in Kentucky.

Whyte joined Western Kentucky’s football team the next year and saw immediate success with two Conference USA championships at Houchens-Smith Stadium.

Five seasons after his first game at Houchens-Smith Stadium, the redshirt senior Whyte has one last chance to go out a winner on his home field when WKU hosts UTEP on Saturday for the season’s final home game. WKU will honor 10 seniors before the kickoff against the Miners (6:30 p.m. CST, beIN Sports).

“It’s just been surreal,” Whyte said. “I came in my senior year (of high school) from playing in the state championship game and I feel like I’ve been here for a minute. … It’d be awesome to get the dub.”

The schedule sets up favorably for WKU (1-9 overall, 0-6 Conference USA) to avoid the first winless year at home since 2009. WKU enters Saturday as a 7½-point favorite over the equally struggling Miners (1-9, 1-5). The last time WKU didn’t win its home finale was in 2010.

Without a postseason to play for, WKU coach Mike Sanford has stressed the importance of tunnel vision within the locker room to finish the year strong against UTEP and Louisiana Tech.

That includes blocking out noise regarding the future of the program.

The Daily News on Monday reported Sanford can likely return as WKU’s coach by winning the two remaining games. Sources said the second-year coach would likely be fired after the season if the Hilltoppers lost both contests, but his future is unclear if WKU splits the two games.

Sanford is 7-16 through 23 games as head coach and WKU has lost six straight dating back to its lone win at Ball State on Sept. 22.

“The emphasis this week has been don’t focus on any outside factors outside of the one that matters and that’s getting a win for the seniors,” Sanford told the Daily News after Thursday’s practice. “The stuff that’s happened to this point, block it out. … I don’t want to hear anyone talk about anything (other) than beat UTEP, and that’s what we’ve done.”

“A lot of fight in these guys, a lot of fight in this coaching staff. That’s going to be in full effect as we get ready to win a game for these seniors.”

Whyte and fellow senior Drell Greene have taken it upon themselves to set the example for the returning Hilltoppers to start the program’s turnaround Saturday. Other seniors of note include tight end Mik’Quan Deane (41.3 receiving yards per game, five touchdowns), running back D’Andre Ferby (19.6 rushing yards per game, two TDs), cornerback and team captain DeAndre Farris (29 tackles, seven pass breakups).

“It’s very important for me,” Greene said. “Never was a loser and I don’t like losing. I feel like I’m going to do my best and everyone on the team will do their best to send the seniors out in a correct way. … You have to fight through it. You only get it once and these four years fly by fast.”

Whyte added the emphasis underclassmen have made in Sanford’s second season while learning from the 10 seniors, the fifth-smallest senior class in the country.

“No matter what the circumstance is or what our record is, just try to come in and work hard every day and wear my heart on my sleeve,” Whyte said. “They have a lot of potential and guys have stepped up this year and played in a lot of games that helped us out. Those guys have a good future.”{/agate}

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Broadcast info

TV: beIN SPORTS (play-by-play: Mike Gleason; analyst: Brett Romberg)

Radio: 100.7-FM/1450-AM (play by play: Randy Lee; analyst: Leo Peckenpaugh; reporter: Terry Obee){/agate}

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Notes

{p class=”p1”}{span class=”s1”}Sanford is 7-16 in 23 games as WKU’s coach and on pace to post the worst winning percentage (.308) of any non-interim coach in Hilltopper history. … Steven Duncan will earn his fourth start at quarterback Saturday. … Only five schools across the FBS have started three quarterbacks at least twice (WKU, Air Force, Coastal Carolina, Navy, New Mexico State). … Running back Josh Samuel’s 101 rushing yards at Florida Atlantic last week marked the first 100-yard rusher in a single game under Sanford. … WKU’s senior class currently has a 30-22 record. … WKU has won seven straight senior day games. … The Hilltoppers are seeking their first home victory and conference victory of the season. … WKU’s last C-USA win at home against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 17,{/span} {span class=”s2”}2017.{/span}

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