Waldo Stadium -- Kalamazoo, Mich
ESPNU
NIU (7-4, 6-1 MAC) was stung at home last week as Miami came up with the game’s big play on a pick six interception that gave the RedHawks a 13-7 upset win. The Huskies still have an insurmountable two-game advantage in the MAC West, so they are headed to the championship game. However, they would like to get back to their winning ways before heading to Detroit for the title tilt.
Western Michigan, meanwhile, is anxious to shed a three-game losing streak. After lopsided losses at home to Toledo and Ohio, the Broncos came up short in a 42-41 overtime loss at Ball State last week. Western’s bid for a two-point conversion was repelled, giving the Cardinals a senior night win. With its own senior night Tuesday, the Broncos would certainly like to be at least one point better when the final whistle blows.
More on the two teams . . .
Western Michigan (6-5, 4-3 MAC)
➤➤ The Broncos have not won a game since losing starting quarterback Jon Wassink. Prior to his injury, WMU was riding a six-game win streak and was 4-0 in MAC play.
➤➤ Freshman Kyle Ellerby handle the quarterback duties now. He was 20 of 29 for 187 yards and one TD last week against the Cardinals.
➤➤ Junior Giovanni Ricci led WMU receivers with seven catches for 65 yards and a score.
➤➤ Western Michigan put together a massive ground game against BSU. As a group, the Broncos totaled 361 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns. LeVante Bellamy led the way with 35 carries for 213 yards. His 1,120 rushing yards this season tops the MAC, as does his 101.8 ypg and 1,502 all-purpose yards. Jamauri Bogan carried 25 times for 105 yards and a pair of TDs against Ball State.
➤➤ The Broncos are scoring 33.6 points a game, while allowing 34.4 ppg.
➤➤ The Huskies owned a perfect 6-0 MAC record prior to last week’s setback.
➤➤ The matchup against Western Michigan will pit the Broncos’ offensive weapons against one of the MAC’s top defenses. Even in last week’s loss, the defense did not allow an offensive touchdown. The RedHawks had two field goals and a pick-six interception return.
➤➤ NIU’s 20.3 ppg scoring defense average tops the MAC. The Huskies are also No. 1 in total defense (340.8 ypg) and rushing defense (108.2 ypg).
➤➤ NIU is 11th in pass offense (140 ypg) and fifth in rushing offense (183.1 ypg). Sophomore Tre Harbison is third among MAC rushers (82.5 ypg).
➤➤ Sutton Smith is one of the top defenders in the MAC. He has nine sacks and 16.0 tackles for loss in 2018. He has also force four fumbles.