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2024 Western Michigan Broncos football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2024 Western Michigan Broncos football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record6–7 (5–3 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorWalt Bell (1st season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorScott Power (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumWaldo Stadium
Seasons
← 2023
2025 →
2024 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Miami (OH) y   7 1     9 5  
Ohio y$   7 1     11 3  
Buffalo   6 2     9 4  
Bowling Green   6 2     7 6  
Western Michigan   5 3     6 7  
Toledo   4 4     8 5  
Northern Illinois   4 4     8 5  
Akron   3 5     4 8  
Eastern Michigan   2 6     5 7  
Central Michigan   2 6     4 8  
Ball State   2 6     3 9  
Kent State   0 8     0 12  
Championship: Ohio 38, Miami (OH) 3
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant

The 2024 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos were led by Lance Taylor in his second year as the head coach. The Broncos played their home games at Waldo Stadium, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[1]

Preseason

[edit]

Preseason polls

[edit]

Coaches Poll

[edit]

On July 19 the MAC announced the preseason coaches poll. Western Michigan was picked to finish seventh in the conference. They received zero votes to win the MAC Championship.[2][3]

MAC Coaches poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Miami 119 (9)
2 Toledo 109 (3)
T3 Bowling Green 92
T3 Northern Illinois 92
5 Ohio 81
6 Eastern Michigan 64
7 Western Michigan 60
8 Central Michigan 59
9 Ball State 42
10 Buffalo 37
11 Akron 24
12 Kent State 13
Coaches poll (MAC Championship)
Predicted finish Team Votes
1 Miami 10
2 Toledo 2

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 309:00 p.m.at Wisconsin*FS1L 14–2875,158
September 77:30 p.m.at No. 2 Ohio State*BTNL 0–56102,665
September 146:30 p.m.Bethune–Cookman*ESPN+W 59–3123,476
September 283:30 p.m.at Marshall*ESPN+L 20–2718,723
October 52:00 p.m.at Ball StateESPN+W 45–4210,342
October 123:30 p.m.Akron
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
ESPN+W 34–2419,507
October 193:30 p.m.at BuffaloESPN+W 48–4118,487
October 263:30 p.m.Kent State
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
ESPN+W 52–2123,537
November 67:00 p.m.Northern Illinois
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
ESPN2L 28–4210,346
November 127:00 p.m.at Bowling GreenESPN2L 13–311,156
November 197:30 p.m.at Central MichiganESPN2L 14–1613,102
November 301:30 p.m.Eastern Michigan
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI (Michigan MAC Trophy)
ESPN+W 26–1811,263
December 149:00 p.m.vs. South Alabama*ESPNL 23–3012,021

[4]

Game summaries

[edit]

at Wisconsin

[edit]
Game One – Western Michigan Broncos (0-0) at Wisconsin Badgers (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 7 0714
Badgers 0 10 31528

at Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin

  • Date: Friday August 30, 2024
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Cloudy 71 F; Wind: North West 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 75,158
  • Referee: Greg Sujack
  • TV announcers (FS1): Tim Brando (play-by-play), Devin Gardner (analyst), and Josh Sims (sideline)
Game information
First quarter

No scoring

Second quarter
  • WIS – Chez Mellusi 9-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 11:48 Wisconsin 7–0 Drive: 16 plays, 93 yards, 6:29.
  • WMU – Jalen Buckley 1-yard run (Palmer Domschke kick), 3:02 Tied 7–7 Drive: 16 plays, 78 yards, 8:40.
  • WIS – Nathanial Vakos 33-yard field goal, 13:45. Wisconsin 10–7. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 2:58.
Third quarter
  • WIS – Nathanial Vakos 23-yard field goal, 7:56. Wisconsin 13–7. Drive: 14 plays, 59 yards, 6:55.
Fourth quarter
  • WMU – Jalen Buckley 1-yard run (Palmer Domschke kick), 14:15 Western Michigan 14–13 Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:51.
  • WIS – Tawee Walker 6-yard run (Trech Kekahuna pass from Tyler Van Dyke), 10:35 Wisconsin 21–14 Drive: 4 plays, 20 yards, 1:46.
  • WIS – Tyler Van Dyke 6-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 3:17 Wisconsin 28–14 Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 4:37.
Statistics WMU WISC
First downs 13 27
Total yards 261 388
Rushing yards 120 196
Passing yards 141 192
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12-19-1 21-36-0
Time of possession 24:42 35:18
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 12/18, 141
Rushing Jalen Buckley 16-64, 2 TD
Receiving Malique Dieudonne 2-45
Wisconsin Passing Tyler Van Dyke 21/36, 192
Rushing Chez Mellusi 19-74, TD
Receiving Will Pauling 6-60

at Ohio State

[edit]
Game Two – Western Michigan Broncos (0–1) vs No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 0 000
No. 2 Buckeyes 21 14 14756

at Ohio StadiumColumbus, Ohio

  • Date: September 7
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 64 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 102,665
  • Referee: Jeffrey Servinski
  • TV announcers (BTN): Jeff Levering (play-by-play), Jake Butt (analyst), and Brooke Fletcher (sideline reporter)
Game information
First quarter
  • (11:04) OSU – TreVeyon Henderson 3-yard run (Jayden Fielding kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:35; Ohio State 7–0)
  • (4:00) OSU – Jeremiah Smith 70-yard pass from Will Howard (Jayden Fielding kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:28; Ohio State 14–0)
  • (1:02) OSU – Quinshon Judkins 23-yard run (Jayden Fielding kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 1:39; Ohio State 21–0)
Second quarter
  • (8:28) OSU – Quinshon Judkins 23-yard run (Jayden Fielding kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:17; Ohio State 28–0)
  • (4:20) OSU – Will Howard 6-yard run (Jayden Fielding kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:34; Ohio State 35–0)
Third quarter
  • (6:44) OSU – TreVeyon Henderson 16-yard run (Jayden Fielding kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 40 yards, 3:15; Ohio State 42–0)
  • (0:05) OSU – James Peoples 12-yard run (Jayden Fielding kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 81 yards, 4:13; Ohio State 49–0)
Fourth quarter
  • (5:01) OSU – Bennett Christian 55-yard pass from Julian Sayin (Austin Snyder kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 64 yards, 2:05; Ohio State 56–0)
Statistics WMU OSU
First downs 6 30
Plays–yards 48–99 72–683
Rushes–yards 31–28 39–273
Passing yards 71 410
Passing: comp–att–int 8–17–0 25–33–0
Time of possession 25:24 34:36
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 8/15, 71 yards
Rushing Keshawn King 8 carries, 22 yards
Receiving Anthony Sambucci 3 receptions, 41 yards
Ohio State Passing Will Howard 18/26, 292 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Quinshon Judkins 9 carries, 108 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Jeremiah Smith 5 receptions, 119 yards, 1 TD

Bethune–Cookman (FCS)

[edit]
Game Three – Bethune–Cookman Wildcats (FCS) (0–2) at Western Michigan Broncos (0–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Wildcats (FCS) 0 14 71031
Broncos 14 21 141059

at Waldo StadiumKalamazoo, MI

  • Date: September 14, 2024
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 85 °F (29 °C) • Wind: E 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 23,476
  • Referee: David Siegle
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
  • (14:43) WMU – Anthoyn Sambucci 54-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 1 play, 54 yards, 0:17; Western Michigan 7–0)
  • (2:52) WMU – Christopher Toudle 23-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:43; Western Michigan 14–0)
Second quarter
  • (13:48) WMU – Jaden Nixon 8-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 1:54; Western Michigan 21–0)
  • (8:48) WMU – Zahir Abdus-Salaam 8-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 2:39; Western Michigan 28–0)
  • (6:36) BCU – Cam Ransom 3-yard run, Cade Hechter kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:12; Western Michigan 28–7)
  • (0:59) WMU – Bugs Mortimer 38-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 1:49; Western Michigan 35–7)
  • (0:46) BCU – Darnell Deas 95-yard kickoff return, Cade Hechter kick (Western Michigan 35–14)
Third quarter
  • (15:00) BCU – Darnell Deas 98-yard kickoff return, Cade Hechter kick (Western Michigan 35–21)
  • (9:19) WMU – Jaden Nixon 37-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 1 play, 37 yards, 0:08; Western Michigan 42–21)
  • (4:33) WMU – Zahir Abdus-Salaam 1-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 2:23; Western Michigan 49–21)
Fourth quarter
  • (14:54) BCU – Cade Hechter 41-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 52 yards, 4:39; Western Michigan 49–24)
  • (11:03) WMU – Luka Zurak 20-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:50; Western Michigan 52–24)
  • (5:31) BCU – Cam Ransom 2-yard run, Cade Hechter kick (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:32; Western Michigan 52–31)
  • (2:39) WMU – Jamal Hailey 48-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 2:52; Western Michigan 59–31)
Statistics BCU WMU
First downs 17 30
Total yards 255 677
Rushing yards 139 372
Passing yards 116 305
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 10–15-0 15–19–1
Time of possession 33:45 26:15
Team Category Player Statistics
Bethune–Cookman Passing Cam Ransom 10/14, 116 yards
Rushing Cam Ransom 20 carries, 44 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Lorenzo Jenkins 1 reception, 44 yards
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 15/19, 305 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Jaden Nixon 17 carries, 189 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Anthony Sambucci 4 receptions, 103 yards, TD

at Marshall

[edit]
Game Four – Western Michigan Broncos (1–2) at Marshall Thundering Herd (1–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 3 0 14320
Thundering Herd 7 10 3727

at Joan C. Edwards StadiumHuntington, WV

  • Date: September 28, 2024
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 18,723
  • Referee: Greg Sujack
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Keith Morehouse (play-by-play) and Mark Martin (analyst)
  • Pregame line: Marshall –3.5
Game information
First quarter
  • (13:08) MRSH – Toby Payne 32 yard pass from Stone Earle, Rece Verhoff kick (Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards, 1:43; Marshall 7–0)
  • (6:09) WMU – Luka Zaruk 45 yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 42 yards, 1:51; Marshall 7–3)
Second quarter
  • (12:18) MRSH – Rece Verhoff 20 yard field goal (Drive: 16 plays, 77 yards, 8:48; Marshall 10–3)
  • (2:41) MRSH – Carl Chester 7 yard pass from Stone Earle, Rece Verhoff kick (Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 1:51; Marshall 17–3)
Third quarter
  • (10:41) WMU – Jaden Nixon 36 yard run, Luka Zaruk kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:19; Marshall 17–10)
  • (5:52) MRSH – Rece Verhoff 28 yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 4:51; Marshall 20–10)
  • (0:53) WMU – Blake Bosma 3 yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zaruk kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:59; Marshall 20–17)
Fourth quarter
  • (12:47) WMU – Luka Zaruk 45 yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:58; Tied 20–20)
  • (7:39) MRSH – Christian Fitzpatrick 34 yard pass from Stone Earle, Rece Verhoff kick (Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 1:03; Marshall 27–20)
Statistics WMU MRSH
First downs 21 20
Total yards 318 420
Rushing yards 192 243
Passing yards 126 177
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–28–0 15–25–0
Time of possession 31:29 28:31
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 15/28, 126 yards, TD
Rushing Jaden Nixon 23 carries, 146 yards, TD
Receiving Anthony Sambucci 4 receptions, 56 yards
Marshall Passing Stone Earle 15/25, 177 yards, 3 TD
Rushing A. J. Turner 9 carries, 124 yards
Receiving Elijah Metcalf 4 receptions, 52 yards

at Ball State

[edit]
Game Five – Western Michigan Broncos (1–3) at Ball State Cardinals (1–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 21 0 101445
Cardinals 14 7 14742

at Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN

  • Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind: SE 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 10,342
  • Referee: Andrew Speciale
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play) and Tyoka Jackson (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (8:39) WMU – Jaden Nixon 21-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 4:18; Western Michigan 7–0)
  • (7:43) WMU – Blake Bosma 10-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 2 plays, 10 yards, 0:41; Western Michigan 14–0)
  • (7:29) BALL – Malcolm Gillie 97-yard kickoff return, Jackson Courville kick (Western Michigan 14–7)
  • (5:02) BALL – Ty Robinson 21-yard pass from Kadin Semonza, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 4 plays, 95 yards, 1:30; Tied 14–14)
  • (4:09) WMU – Jaden Nixon 57-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 2 plays, 65 yards, 0:53; Western Michigan 21–14)
Second quarter
  • (9:54) BALL – Cam Pickett 4-yard run, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 15 plays, 83 yards, 9:10; Tied 21–21)
Third quarter
  • (12:13) WMU – Malique Dieudonne 43-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 2:41; Western Michigan 28–21)
  • (9:50) BALL – Christian Abney 22-yard pass from Braedon Sloan, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 2:15; Tied 28–28)
  • (7:52) BALL – Drew Hughes 2-yard pass from Kadin Semonza, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 4 plays, 28 yards, 1:52; Ball State 35–28)
  • (0:21) WMU – Luka Zurak 39-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 53 yards, 7:31; Ball State 35–31)
Fourth quarter
  • (13:19) WMU – Jaden Nixon 23-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 3 plays, 32 yards, 0:57; Western Michigan 38–35)
  • (7:43) WMU – Anthony Sambucci 1-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:32; Western Michigan 45–35)
  • (1:47) BALL – Cam Pickett 27-yard pass from Kadin Semonza, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 1:20; Western Michigan 45–42)
Statistics WMU BALL
First downs 23 23
Total yards 397 461
Rushing yards 197 68
Passing yards 264 329
Turnovers 1 3
Time of possession 32:30 27:30
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 26/29, 264 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Jaden Nixon 14 carries, 124 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Anthony Sambucci 9 receptions, 74 yards, TD
Ball State Passing Kadin Semonza 21/34, 307 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Braedon Sloan 18 carries, 65 yards
Receiving Tanner Koziol 9 receptions, 102 yards

Akron

[edit]
Game Six – Akron Zips (1–5) at Western Michigan Broncos (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Zips 10 7 7024
Broncos 0 24 7334

at Waldo StadiumKalamazoo, MI

  • Date: October 12, 2024
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney (play-by-play) and Charlie Strong (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:21) AKR – Garrison Smith 38-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 2:02; Akron 3–0)
  • (5:18) AKR – Tahj Bullock 2-yard run, Garrison Smith kick (Drive: 5 plays, 79 yards, 2:30; Akron 10–0)
Second quarter
  • (14:16) AKR – Tahj Bullock 5-yard run, Garrison Smith kick (Drive: 4 plays, 69 yards, 1:33; Akron 17–0)
  • (12:03) WMU – Josh Franklin 0-yard fumble return, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:13; Akron 17–7)
  • (5:17) WMU – Kenneth Womack 25-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards, 1:44; Akron 17–14)
  • (13:19) WMU – Broc Lowry 5-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 3 plays, 35 yards, 1:08; Western Michigan 21–17)
  • (0:00) WMU – Luka Zurak 39-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 1:06; Western Michigan 24–17)
Third quarter
  • (10:37) AKR – Jordon Simmons 4-yard run, Garrison Smith kick (Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 4:23; Tied 24–24)
  • (4:02) WMU – Kaevion Mack 10-yard pass from Hayden Wolff (Luka Zurak kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 0:49; Western Michigan 31–24)
Fourth quarter
  • (11:28) WMU – Luka Zurak 20-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 3:21; Western Michigan 34–24)
Statistics AKR WMU
First downs 20 19
Plays–yards 68-501 66-387
Rushes–yards 27-88 39-196
Passing yards 413 191
Passing: comp–att–int 26-38-1 17-25-0
Time of possession 29:34 30:26
Team Category Player Statistics
Akron Passing Ben Finley 24/36, 395 yards, INT
Rushing Jordon Simmons 13 carries, 63 yards, TD
Receiving Adrian Norton 8 receptions, 168 yards
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 17/25, 191 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Jalen Buckley 7 carries, 103 yards
Receiving Malique Dieudonne 3 receptions, 48 yards

at Buffalo

[edit]
Game Seven – Western Michigan Broncos (3–3) at Buffalo Bulls (2–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 21 71348
Bulls 10 7 71741

at UB Stadium, Amherst, NY

  • Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny, 66 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 18,487
  • Referee: Billy Williams
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Anthony Lima (play-by-play) and Je'Rod Cherry (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (13:38) BUF TD: Messiah Burch 7-yard run (Upton Bellenfant kick) BUF 7–0; 2 plays, 7 yards, 0:00
  • (11:12) WMU TD: Blake Bosma 16-yard pass from Hayden Wolff (Luka Zurak kick) Tie 7–7; 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:26
  • (08:32) BUF FG: Upton Bellenfant 26-yard field goal BUF 10–7; 7 plays, 61 yards, 2:40
Second quarter
  • (13:38) WMU TD: Jaden Nixon 1-yard run (Luka Zurak kick) WMU 14–10; 10 plays, 69 yards, 0:43
  • (08:49) WMU TD: Blake Bosma 14-yard pass from Hayden Wolff (Luka Zurak kick) WMU 21–10; 6 plays, 77 yards, 2:56
  • (07:55) WMU TD: Blake Bosma 12-yard pass from Hayden Wolff (Luka Zurak kick) WMU 28–10; 3 plays, 13 yards, 0:48
  • (03:22) BUF TD: Victor Snow 26-yard pass from C.J. Ogbonna (Upton Bellenfant kick) WMU 28–17; 9 plays, 71 yards, 4:26
Third quarter
  • (08:21) WMU TD: Jaden Nixon 2-yard run (Luka Zurak kick) WMU 35–17; 9 plays, 76 yards, 4:25
  • (05:47) BUF TD: Taji Johnson 11-yard pass from C.J. Ogbonna (Upton Bellenfant kick) WMU 35–24; 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:29
Fourth quarter
  • (14:52) BUF TD: Victor Snow 12-yard run, pass failed WMU 35–30; 12 plays, 71 yards, 0:08
  • (11:45) WMU FG: Luka Zurak 35-yard field goal WMU 38–30; 8 plays, 56 yards, 3:03
  • (11:08) BUF TD: Al-Jay Henderson 68-yard run, two-point conversion pass Chance Morrow from C.J. Ogbonna Tie 38–38; 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:37
  • (08:59) WMU FG: Luka Zurak 37-yard field goal WMU 41–38; 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:59
  • (02:43) WMU TD: Jaden Nixon 54-yard run (Luka Zurak kick) WMU 48–38; 8 plays, 85 yards, 4:27
  • (01:02) BUF FG: Upton Bellenfant 22-yard field goal WMU 48–41; 9 plays, 58 yards, 1:36
Statistics WMU UB
First downs 26 23
Plays–yards 74–489 73–551
Rushing yards 209 242
Passing yards 280 309
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20–31–0 22–34–0
Time of possession 33:22 26:38
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 20/31, 280 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Jaden Nixon 14 carries, 112 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Blake Bosma 6 receptions, 85 yards, 3 TD
Buffalo Passing C.J. Ogbonna 22/34, 309 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Al-Jay Henderson 12 carries, 97 yards, TD
Receiving Victor Snow 7 receptions, 84 yards, TD

Kent State

[edit]
Game Eight – Kent State Golden Flashes (0–7) at Western Michigan Broncos (4–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Flashes 0 7 01421
Broncos 14 24 7752

at Waldo StadiumKalamazoo, MI

  • Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 56 °F (13 °C) • Wind: NW at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 23,537
  • Referee: Andrew Speciale
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney (play-by-play) and Charlie Strong (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (8:54) WMU – Malique Dieudonne 3-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 11 plays, 83 yards, 6:06; Western Michigan 7–0)
  • (4:55) WMU – Jaden Nixon 92-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 1 play, 92 yards, 0:20; Western Michigan 14–0)
Second quarter
  • (11:42) WMU – Luka Zurak 21-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 3:30; Western Michigan 17–0)
  • (8:55) WMU – Jalen Buckley 2-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 4 plays, 52 yards, 1:48; Western Michigan 24–0)
  • (5:21) WMU – Jalen Buckley 17-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 3 plays, 48 yards, 1:39; Western Michigan 31–0)
  • (3:54) WMU – Kaevion Mack 17-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 2 plays, 19 yards, 0:40; Western Michigan 38–0)
  • (0:10) KSU – Luke Floriea 18-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 1 play, 33 yards, 0:13; Western Michigan 38–7)
Third quarter
  • (1:04) WMU – Blake Bosma 10-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:39; Western Michigan 45–7)
Fourth quarter
  • (13:42) KSU – Jay Jay Etheridge 16-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 2:22; Western Michigan 45–14)
  • (1:04) WMU – Broc Lowry 14-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 5:55; Western Michigan 52–14)
  • (0:20) KSU – Conner Muldowney 7-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 7:27; Western Michigan 52–21)
Statistics KENT WMU
First downs 19 23
Plays–yards 64–250 61–579
Rushes–yards 39–136 37–358
Passing yards 114 221
Passing: comp–att–int 12–25–2 17–24–1
Time of possession 30:15 29:45
Team Category Player Statistics
Kent State Passing Tommy Ulatowski 12/24, 114 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Ky Thomas 15 carries, 62 yards
Receiving Luke Floriea 3 receptions, 43 yards, TD
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 15/21, 208 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Jaden Nixon 8 carries, 135 yards, TD
Receiving Kenneth Womack 2 receptions, 68 yards

Northern Illinois

[edit]
Game Nine – Northern Illinois Huskies (4–4) at Western Michigan Broncos (5–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Huskies 0 21 21042
Broncos 7 7 7728

at Waldo StadiumKalamazoo, MI

Game information
First quarter
  • WMU – Jaden Nixon 66-yard run (Luka Zurak kick), 9:18. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 65 yards, 0:47.

Second quarter

  • NIU – Telly Johnson Jr. 6-yard run (Kanon Woodill kick), 13:56. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 31 yards, 2:04.
  • NIU – Tristen Tewes 7-yard pass from Ethan Hampton (Kanon Woodill kick), 6:05. Huskies 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 4:30.
  • WMU – Jaden Nixon 14-yard run (Luka Zurak kick), 1:54. Tied 14–14. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:11.
  • NIU – Gavin Williams 5-yard pass from Ethan Hampton (Kanon Woodill kick), 0:09. Huskies 21–14. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 1:45.

Third quarter

  • WMU – Broc Lowry 1-yard run (Luka Zurak kick), 12:33. Tied 21–21. Drive: 4 plays, 38 yards, 2:14.
  • NIU – Cam Thompson 91-yard kickoff return (Kanon Woodill kick), 12:33. Huskies 28–21. Drive: 4 plays, 38 yards, 2:14.
  • NIU – Gavin Williams 2-yard run (Kanon Woodill kick), 8:19. Huskies 35–21. Drive: 6 plays, 35 yards, 3:24.
  • NIU – Telly Johnson Jr. 26-yard run (Kanon Woodill kick), 0:47. Huskies 42–21. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:49.

Fourth quarter

  • WMU – Mareyohn Hrabowski 10-yard pass from Hayden Wolff (Luka Zurak kick), 11:49. Huskies 42–28. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 3:58.
Statistics NIU WMU
First downs 21 21
Total yards 411 390
Rushing yards 255 211
Passing yards 156 179
Passing: comp–att–int 13-17-0 14-28-3
Time of possession 29:24 30:36
Team Category Player Statistics
Northern Illinois Passing Ethan Hampton 13/16, 156 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Telly Johnson Jr. 23 carries, 141 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Trayvon Rudolph 6 receptions, 74 yards
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 14/27, 179 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Jaden Nixon 12 carries, 95 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Kenneth Womack 4 receptions, 51 yards

at Bowling Green

[edit]
Game Ten – Western Michigan Broncos (5–4) at Bowling Green Falcons (5–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 7 6013
Falcons 3 14 14031

at Doyt Perry Stadium, Bowling Green, OH

  • Date: Tuesday November 12, 2024
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 37 °F (3 °C) • Wind: NE 7 miles per hour (11 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 1,156
  • Referee: David Siegle
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Clay Matvick (play-by-play) and Steve Addazio (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (8:32) BGSU – Zach Long 50-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 37 yards, 4:35; Bowling Green 3-0)
Second quarter
  • (10:36) WMU – Jalen Buckley 6-yard run (Luka Zurak kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 87 yards, 8:02; Western Michigan 7-3)
  • (5:12) BGSU – Harold Fannin Jr. 25-yard pass from Connor Bazelak (Zach Long kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 84 yards, 3:11; Bowling Green 10-7)
  • (4:02) BGSU – Connor Bazelak 1-yard run (Zach Long kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 0:57; Bowling Green 17-7)
Third quarter
  • (11:11) BGSU – Terion Stewart 17-yard run (Zach Long kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:49; Bowling Green 24-7)
  • (6:38) BGSU – Harold Fannin Jr. 10-yard pass from Connor Bazelak (Drive: 3 plays, 74 yards, 1:25; Bowling Green 31-7)
  • (0:27) WMU – Jalen Buckley 5-yard run (pass failed) (Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 6:03; Bowling Green 31-13)
Fourth quarter
  • no scoring plays
Statistics WMU BGSU
First downs 19 19
Plays–yards 69–292 56–402
Rushing yards 97 226
Passing yards 195 176
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24–33–2 15–23–0
Time of possession 33:23 26:37
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 24/32, 195 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Jalen Buckley 15 carries, 73 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Kenneth Womack 4 receptions, 62 yards
Bowling Green Passing Connor Bazelak 15/22, 176 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Terion Stewart 15 carries, 150 yards, TD
Receiving Harold Fannin Jr. 10 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TD

at Central Michigan (rivalry)

[edit]
Game Eleven – Western Michigan Broncos (5–5) at Central Michigan Chippewas (3–7) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 0 7714
Chippewas 7 6 0316

at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, MI

  • Date: Tuesday November 19, 2024
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 54 °F (12 °C) • Wind: SE 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 13,102
  • Referee: Rich Edwards
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Noah Reed (play-by-play), Craig Haubert (analyst) and Scott Ferrier (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • CMU – Harris, B.J. 6 yd run (Mattson, Tristan kick), 3 plays, 70 yards, TOP 01:33. CMU 7–0.

Second quarter

  • CMU – Mattson, Tristan 36 yd field goal, 11 plays, 74 yards, TOP 06:00. CMU 10–0.
  • CMU – Mattson, Tristan 47 yd field goal, 5 plays, 28 yards, TOP 00:55. CMU 13–0.

Third quarter

  • WMU – Hallock, Tate 78 yd interception return (Zurak, Luka kick). CMU 13–7.

Fourth quarter

  • CMU – Mattson, Tristan 30 yd field goal, 17 plays, 50 yards, TOP 10:17. CMU 16–7.
  • WMU – Buckley, Jalen 1 yd run (Zurak, Luka kick), 14 plays, 76 yards, TOP 07:34. CMU 16–14.
Statistics WMU CMU
First downs 10 16
Plays–yards 51–184 66–307
Rushing yards 50 167
Passing yards 134 140
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–26–0 8–17–1
Time of possession 23:43 36:17
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 13/23, 126 yards
Rushing Jalen Buckley 12 carries, 50 yards, TD
Receiving Kenneth Womack 4 receptions, 47 yards
Central Michigan Passing Jadyn Glasser 8/17, 140 yards, INT
Rushing Marion Lukes 15 carries, 93 yards
Receiving Solomon Davis 3 receptions, 73 yards

Eastern Michigan

[edit]
Game Twelve – Eastern Michigan Eagles (5–6) at Western Michigan Broncos (5–6) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 0 15318
Broncos 0 16 7326

at Waldo StadiumKalamazoo, MI

  • Date: Saturday November 30, 2024
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Ryan Cavanaugh (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • No scoring plays
Second quarter
  • (3:41) WMU – Team safety (Western Michigan 2–0)
  • (1:50) WMU – Zahir Abdus-Salaam 31-yard pass from Hayden Wolff (Luka Zurak kick) (Western Michigan 9–0)
  • (0:19) WMU – Jalen Buckley 15-yard run (Luka Zurak kick) (Western Michigan 16–0)
Third quarter
  • (12:02) EMU – Delbert Mimms III 10-yard run (Cole Snyder pass to Max Reese for 2-point conversion) (Western Michigan 16–8)
  • (6:04) WMU – Zahir Abdus-Salaam 22-yard run (Luka Zurak kick) (Western Michigan 23–8)
  • (2:16) EMU – Delbert Mimms III 1-yard run (Jesus Gomez kick) (Western Michigan 23–15)
Fourth quarter
  • (11:33) WMU – Luka Zurak 25-yard field goal (Western Michigan 26–15)
  • (11:28) EMU – Jesus Gomez 32-yard field goal (Western Michigan 26–18)
Statistics EMU WMU
First downs 15 20
Total yards 294 356
Rushing yards 203 230
Passing yards 91 126
Passing: comp–att–int 7-22-1 12-17-0
Time of possession 24:01 35:59
Team Category Player Statistics
Eastern Michigan Passing Cole Snyder 7/22, 91 yards, INT
Rushing Delbert Mimms III 18 carries, 127 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Markus Allen 3 receptions, 59 yards
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 12/17, 126 yards, TD
Rushing Zahir Abdus-Salaam 19 carries, 135 yards, TD
Receiving Zahir Abdus-Salaam 3 receptions, 40 yards, TD

South Alabama (Salute to Veterans Bowl)

[edit]
2024 IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl
South Alabama Jaguars (6-6, 5-3) at Western Michigan Broncos (6-6, 5-3)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 0 16 7730
Broncos 7 6 01023

at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama

  • Date: December 14, 2024
  • Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Overcast • Temperature: 63 °F (17 °C) • Wind: ESE 11 mph
  • Game attendance: 12,021
  • Referee: Cal McNeill
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), and Dana Boyle (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (10:31) WMU – Jalen Buckley 1 yard rush, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:36; Western Michigan 7–0)
Second Quarter
  • (14:50) WMU – Luke Zurak 37 yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 61 yards, 6:23; Western Michigan 10–0)
  • (12:15) USA – Hamilton DiBoyan 24 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 2:35; Western Michigan 10–3)
  • (10:29) USA – Jeremiah Webb 52 yard pass from Bishop Davenport, Hamilton DiBoyan kick (Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:35; Tied 10–10)
  • (4:50) USA – Jeremiah Webb 45 yard pass from Bishop Davenport, Hamilton DiBoyan kick no good (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:06; South Alabama 16–10)
  • (0:13) WMU – Luka Zurak 29 yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 11 yards, 1:12; South Alabama 16–13)
Third Quarter
  • (4:18) USA – Bishop Davenport 50 yard rush, Hamilton DiBoyan kick (Drive: 8 plays, 90 yards, 4:04; South Alabama 23–13)
Fourth Quarter
  • (6:17) WMU – Anthony Sambucci 7 yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:07; South Alabama 23–20)
  • (2:42) USA – Kentrel Bullock 22 yard rush, Hamilton DiBoyan kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:35; South Alabama 30–20)
  • (1:11) WMU – Luka Zurak 48 yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 1:31; South Alabama 30–23)
Statistics USA WMU
First downs 25 21
Total yards 537 317
Rushing yards 266 121
Passing yards 271 196
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–24–1 17–27–1
Time of possession 27:56 32:04
Team Category Player Statistics
South Alabama Passing Bishop Davenport 15/24, 271 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Kentrel Bullock 17 carries, 130 yards, TD
Receiving Jeremiah Webb 6 receptions, 182 yards, 2 TD
Western Michigan Passing Hayden Wolff 17/27, 196 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Jaden Nixon 11 carries, 45 yards
Receiving Kenneth Womack 5 receptions, 89 yards

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2024 Football Coaching Staff". Western Michigan University Athletics. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  2. ^ "Miami Selected as Favorites in Head Coaches Preseason Football Poll". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  3. ^ "MAC football preseason poll: Toledo picked 2nd, BGSU 3rd". wtol.com. WTOL 11. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  4. ^ "2024 Western Michigan Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 31, 2024.