BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — With one of the most unique mascots in all of college sports, Western Kentucky University has a tendency for flair.

The Hilltoppers have unveiled a series of specially designed football helmets for its gridiron showdown with conference foe, Liberty, for Tuesday night’s nationally televised game.

The helmets are not just one design, but seven. They each feature their beloved mascot, Big Red, in seven different football poses for each of the seven different position groups. 

The logo for quarterbacks will feature Big Red throwing a football, the logo for running backs will feature Big Red in the Heisman Trophy pose; the logo for receivers and tight ends will feature Big Red catching a football; the logo for offensive and defensive linemen will feature Big Red in a three-point stance; the logo for linebackers will feature Big Red with his hands on his knees ready to make a play; the logo for defensive backs will feature Big Red celebrating a pass breakup and the logo for specialists will feature Big Red kicking a football.

In addition to the logos based on position groups, WKU has added a new bumper to the front of the helmet with Big Red’s eyes.

WKU debuted Big Red helmets last season for the Nov. 12, 2022, game against Rice — a 45-10 Hilltopper win. Those helmets only featured Big Red throwing the football.

According to WKU Athletics, the new helmets are part of a complete uniform re-design, with stripes being added to the jerseys, pants and helmets and the addition of the “Tops” script logo under the belt.

Big Red, WKU’s athletic mascot, was born in the fall of 1979 and celebrates its birthday on Dec. 1. It was originally designed and built by WKU student Ralph Carey of Cincinnati, and made its debut during the Hilltoppers’ 1979-80 basketball season.

WKU sits at 4-3 overall this season and 2-1 in Conference USA play. Tuesday’s game is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game is also a "Blackout" with fans encouraged to wear all black.