The Western Michigan Broncos (5-3, 3-1 MAC) showed that they are more than just a one-dimensional ground-oriented offense Saturday as quarterback Zach Terrell led his team to a 42-21 victory over the Ohio Bobcats (4-5, 2-3 MAC).
Terrell started out slow with an interception to Ohio cornerback Brett Layton, who returned the pick to the Ohio three-yard line.
On the next play, running back Daz’mond Patterson punched the ball into the end zone to put the Bobcats on the scoreboard first for the second week in a row.
Terrell would go on to finish the game completing 22-of-28 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns. This marks the eighth time this season that Terrell has thrown for at least 200 yards and is just the second time that he has thrown for more than 300.
A go-to target for Terrell on the day was wide receiver Corey Davis, who corralled in nine catches for 212 yards and caught both of Terrell’s touchdown passes.
Although junior quarterback Derrius Vick was back to full health and cleared to play, head coach Frank Solich made the decision to stick with J.D. Sprague, who had started Ohio’s last four games.
With Sprague starting against the Broncos, Ohio was only able to muster 70 yards of offense and two first downs.
Solich then made the decision to insert Vick into the game with less than five minutes left in the second quarter. On his third play, Vick was picked off by Trevor Ishmael, who returned it 12 yards for another Broncos’ touchdown giving Western Michigan a 28-7 halftime lead.
The Broncos used their star running back Jarvion Franklin for most of the second half to wear down Ohio’s defense. Franklin, the nation’s top running back in rushing touchdowns, added three against the Bobcats, giving him a total of 19. By the end, Franklin carried the ball 35 times for 156 yards.
Western Michigan will look to extend its winning-streak to four games next week in Oxford when it meets the Miami RedHawks. The Bobcats have a much needed bye week before hosting the Buffalo Bulls on Nov. 5.