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American college football season
The 2024 Western Michigan Broncos football team will represent Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Broncos are led by Lance Taylor in his second year as the head coach. The Broncos will play home games at Waldo Stadium , located in Kalamazoo, Michigan .[ 1]
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
Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance 9:00 p.m. at Wisconsin * FS1 L 14–2875,158
September 7 7:30 p.m. at No. 2 Ohio State * BTN L 0–56102,665
September 14 6:30 p.m. Bethune–Cookman * ESPN+ W 59–3123,476
September 28 3:30 p.m. at Marshall * ESPN+ L 20–2718,723
October 5 2:00 p.m. at Ball State ESPN+ W 45–4210,342
October 12 3:30 p.m. Akron Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI ESPN+ W 34–2419,507
October 19 3:30 p.m. at Buffalo ESPN+ W 48–4118,487
October 26 3:30 p.m. Kent State Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI ESPN+ W 52–2123,537
7:00 p.m. Northern Illinois Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI ESPN2 L 28–4210,346
7:00 p.m. at Bowling Green ESPN2 L 13–311,156
7:30 p.m. at Central Michigan ESPN2 L 14–16
November 30 Eastern Michigan Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI (Michigan MAC Trophy)
[ 4]
Game One – Western Michigan Broncos (0-0) at Wisconsin Badgers (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
0
7
0 7 14
Badgers
0
10
3 15 28
at Camp Randall Stadium , Madison, Wisconsin
Date : Friday August 30, 2024Game time : 8:00 p.m.Game weather : Cloudy 71 F; Wind: North West 6 mphGame attendance : 75,158Referee : Greg SujackTV 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
Game Two – Western Michigan Broncos (0–1) vs No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
0
0
0 0 0
No. 2 Buckeyes
21
14
14 7 56
at Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio
Date : Game time : 7:30 p.m. EDT Game weather : Clear, 64 °F (18 °C)Game attendance : 102,665Referee : Jeffrey ServinskiTV announcers (BTN ) : Jeff Levering (play-by-play), Jake Butt (analyst), and Brooke Fletcher (sideline reporter)
Game information
First quarter
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
3 4 Total
Wildcats (FCS)
0
14
7 10 31
Broncos
14
21
14 10 59
at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI
Date : September 14, 2024Game time : 6:30 p.m.Game weather : Sunny • Temperature : 85 °F (29 °C) • Wind : E 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)Game attendance : 23,476Referee : David SiegleTV : 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
Game Four – Western Michigan Broncos (1–2) at Marshall Thundering Herd (1–2) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
3
0
14 3 20
Thundering Herd
7
10
3 7 27
at Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV
Date : September 28, 2024Game time : 3:30 p.m.Game weather : Rain • Temperature : 72 °F (22 °C)Game attendance : 18,723Referee : Greg SujackTV 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
Game Five – Western Michigan Broncos (1–3) at Ball State Cardinals (1–3) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
21
0
10 14 45
Cardinals
14
7
14 7 42
at Scheumann Stadium , Muncie, IN
Date : Saturday October 5, 2024Game time : 2:00 p.m.Game weather : Sunny • Temperature : 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind : SE 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)Game attendance : 10,342Referee : Andrew SpecialeTV 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
Game Six – Akron Zips (1–5) at Western Michigan Broncos (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Zips
0
0
0 0 0
Broncos
0
0
0 0 0
at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI
Date : October 12, 2024Game 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
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics
AKR
WMU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Akron
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Michigan
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Game Seven – Western Michigan Broncos (3–3) at Buffalo Bulls (2–4) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
0
0
0 0 0
Bulls
0
0
0 0 0
at UB Stadium , Amherst, NY
Date : Saturday October 19, 2024Game time : 3:30 p.m.TV announcers (ESPN+ ) : Anthony Lima (play-by-play) and Je'Rod Cherry (analyst)
Statistics
WMU
UB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Western Michigan
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Buffalo
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Game Eight – Kent State Golden Flashes (0–7) at Western Michigan Broncos (4–3) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Golden Flashes
0
0
0 0 0
Broncos
0
0
0 0 0
at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI
Date : Saturday October 26, 2024Game 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
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics
KENT
WMU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Kent State
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Michigan
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Game Nine – Northern Illinois Huskies (4–4) at Western Michigan Broncos (5–3) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Huskies
0
0
0 0 0
Broncos
0
0
0 0 0
at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics
NIU
WMU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Northern Illinois
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Michigan
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Game Ten – Western Michigan Broncos (5–4) at Bowling Green Falcons (5–4) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
0
7
6 0 13
Falcons
3
14
14 0 31
at Doyt Perry Stadium , Bowling Green, OH
Date : Tuesday November 12, 2024Game time : 7:00 p.m.Game weather : Clear • Temperature : 37 °F (3 °C) • Wind : NE 7 miles per hour (11 km/h)Game attendance : 1,156Referee : David SiegleTV 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
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
Game Eleven – Western Michigan Broncos (5–5) at Central Michigan Chippewas (3–7) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
0
0
0 0 0
Chippewas
0
0
0 0 0
at Kelly/Shorts Stadium , Mount Pleasant, MI
Date : Tuesday November 19, 2024Game time : 7:30 p.m.TV announcers (ESPN2 ) : Noah Reed (play-by-play), Craig Haubert (analyst) and Scott Ferrier (sideline)
Statistics
WMU
CMU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Western Michigan
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Central Michigan
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Game Twelve – Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–0) at Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Eagles
0
0
0 0 0
Broncos
0
0
0 0 0
at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI
Date : Saturday November 30, 2024Game time : TBDGame weather : 0 °F (−18 °C)TV : ESPN2
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics
EMU
WMU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Eastern Michigan
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Michigan
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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