The Kalen DeBoer era begins now for Alabama football. The first test will be Western Kentucky in the season opener.

Led by coach Tyson Helton, the Hilltoppers went 8-5 in 2023, producing receiver Malachi Corley, a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Helton has a record of 40-26 since he took over in 2019. WKU is led by former LSU, Auburn, and Texas State quarterback TJ Finley.

While WKU is not a powerhouse name in football, it does boast one of the most distinct and interesting nicknames in college athletics: the Hilltoppers. It also boasts an exciting mascot that could garner some interest on the sidelines of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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But what exactly is a Hilltopper? Some fans watching the Alabama season opener against Western Kentucky might ask. Here's the history of WKU's nickname:

What is a Hilltopper?

Location, location, location is the reason for WKU's nickname.

According to Western Kentucky University, the school in February 1911 was moved to a different part of Bowling Green, Kentucky — the city where WKU is located — at what now is known as "the Hill." It is approximately 125 feet above the downtown area, and sits at the former home of The Pleasant J. Potter College.

With much of the campus being on the hill, and students needing to travel up a hill for classes, Western Kentucky began to be known as the Hilltoppers.

What is the Western Kentucky mascot?

"Big Red" is the name of the WKU mascot. According to the Western Kentucky athletics page, student Ralph Carey is credited with designing Big Red, which made its debut in the 1979-80 basketball season.

"Big Red, Western Kentucky University's athletic mascot, was born in the fall of 1979. Big Red can be best described as the Spirit of Western! The huge, furry, lovable creature was originally designed and built by WKU student Ralph Carey, ('80 WKU graduate), of Cincinnati, and made its' debut during the Hilltoppers' 1979-80 basketball season," the school website reads.

Carey told the Bowling Green Daily News that the inspiration for the Big Red mascot came from the San Diego Chicken, a mascot at San Diego Padres baseball games.

“When they first said they were looking, I had no preconceived notions of anything,” Carey said. “I knew that mascots were problematic — I had some awareness of other mascots. Part of the issue was branding and creating something unique and identifiable as a Western-only icon.

Big Red was a major part of ESPN's promotion of the 25,000th episode in 2002 and has appeared on “The Ellen Degeneres Show." It was also on the “Deal or No Deal" game show in July 2020.

Alabama vs Western Kentucky football history

The Crimson Tide and Hilltoppers have faced off three times, with Alabama winning all three previous matchups. In all three games in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide have outscored WKU 114-17. The last matchup was a 38-10 victory on Sept. 10, 2016.

Here's a look at the history between Alabama and WKU:

• Sept. 10, 2016: Alabama 38, Western Kentucky 10

• Sept. 8, 2012: Alabama 35, Western Kentucky 0

• Sept. 13, 2008: Alabama 41, Western Kentucky 7

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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What's a Hilltopper? Western Kentucky football nickname, explained