WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS
COACH: Tim Lester (fifth year)
2020 RECORD: 4-2
2021 MAC MEDIA PREDICTION: Third MAC West (four first place votes)
COACH: Tim Lester (fifth year)
2020 RECORD: 4-2
2021 MAC MEDIA PREDICTION: Third MAC West (four first place votes)
Western Michigan resembles much of the MAC West. It has an explosive offense, with enough defense to make it a title contender. The Broncos will win their share of games, but can they avoid the critical loss or two that typically separates contenders from champs? They won four straight last year before dropping their final two -- Eastern Michigan (42-53) and Ball State (27-30).
Here’s more on the Broncos . . .
Here’s more on the Broncos . . .
Caleb Eleby has the tools to be one of the MAC's top quarterbacks. OFFENSE:
>> WMU averaged 41.7 ppg (3rd MAC). The Broncos were also third in pass offense (286.5 ypg) and fifth in rushing (193.2 ypg). The 480 yards of total offense per outing was 16th nationally.
>> Sophomore Kaleb Eleby garnered Third Team All-MAC honors. He ranked third in FBS passer rating in 2020 (195.08), trailing only Heisman Trophy finalist Mac Jones and BYU's Zach Wilson. Eleby also tied for the most yards per attempt (11.2) in FBS alongside Jones.
>> D’Wayne Eskridge (First Team All-MAC) is gone (Seattle Seahawks, 2nd round), but the Broncos have more receiving talent in the stable. Skyy Moore earned Second Team All-MAC honors after catching 25 passes for 388 yards and three scores. Jaylen Hall, meanwhile, turned seven of his 12 receptions into touchdowns. DaShone Bussell saw limited action last year but had 27 catches back in 2019.
>> The running back room is deep in talent. Former Michigan State Spartan La’Darius Jefferson led the way last year with 112 trips for 624 yards and five TDs. Sean Tyler (6.6 ypc) and Jaxson Kincaide (ypc) give WMU plenty of rushing options.
>> Pass protection was no small part of WMU’s explosive passing attack. Jaylon Moore is gone (San Francisco 49ers), but Mike Caliendo anchors a line with four returning starters. Including tight end, Western Michigan lines the trenches with four seniors.
>> WMU averaged 41.7 ppg (3rd MAC). The Broncos were also third in pass offense (286.5 ypg) and fifth in rushing (193.2 ypg). The 480 yards of total offense per outing was 16th nationally.
>> Sophomore Kaleb Eleby garnered Third Team All-MAC honors. He ranked third in FBS passer rating in 2020 (195.08), trailing only Heisman Trophy finalist Mac Jones and BYU's Zach Wilson. Eleby also tied for the most yards per attempt (11.2) in FBS alongside Jones.
>> D’Wayne Eskridge (First Team All-MAC) is gone (Seattle Seahawks, 2nd round), but the Broncos have more receiving talent in the stable. Skyy Moore earned Second Team All-MAC honors after catching 25 passes for 388 yards and three scores. Jaylen Hall, meanwhile, turned seven of his 12 receptions into touchdowns. DaShone Bussell saw limited action last year but had 27 catches back in 2019.
>> The running back room is deep in talent. Former Michigan State Spartan La’Darius Jefferson led the way last year with 112 trips for 624 yards and five TDs. Sean Tyler (6.6 ypc) and Jaxson Kincaide (ypc) give WMU plenty of rushing options.
>> Pass protection was no small part of WMU’s explosive passing attack. Jaylon Moore is gone (San Francisco 49ers), but Mike Caliendo anchors a line with four returning starters. Including tight end, Western Michigan lines the trenches with four seniors.
Senior Ralph Holley is part of an aggressive Bronco pass rush. DEFENSE:
>> Western Michigan allowed 34.2 ppg, which was seventh among MAC teams overall. Toledo, Ball State and Central Michigan were West Division teams allowing less points.
>> The Broncos turnover differential was -0.5, tied for 95th nationally. Takeaways were two interceptions and one fumble. WMU’s time of possession average was 28:15 mpg (11th least of 12 MAC teams).
>> Three starters are among a strong group of returning defensive linemen. Senior Ralph Haley (First Team all-MAC) and Ali Fayad lead a group with proven skills at disrupting opponent offenses. Western Michigan ws fifth nationally in tackles for loss (8.5 per game).
>> Senior A.J. Thomas recorded nine tfl in 2020 while moving into a linebacker role. Calvin Moment is a 6-0, 250-pound linebacker who owned 37 tackles, including 12 against Toledo last year.
>> Bricen Garner, a transfer from Pitt, shined in 2020 when he earned First Team All-MAC honors. The senior safety heads an experienced secondary. Patrick Lupro and Harrison Taylor are returning juniors along the back line.
>> Western Michigan allowed 34.2 ppg, which was seventh among MAC teams overall. Toledo, Ball State and Central Michigan were West Division teams allowing less points.
>> The Broncos turnover differential was -0.5, tied for 95th nationally. Takeaways were two interceptions and one fumble. WMU’s time of possession average was 28:15 mpg (11th least of 12 MAC teams).
>> Three starters are among a strong group of returning defensive linemen. Senior Ralph Haley (First Team all-MAC) and Ali Fayad lead a group with proven skills at disrupting opponent offenses. Western Michigan ws fifth nationally in tackles for loss (8.5 per game).
>> Senior A.J. Thomas recorded nine tfl in 2020 while moving into a linebacker role. Calvin Moment is a 6-0, 250-pound linebacker who owned 37 tackles, including 12 against Toledo last year.
>> Bricen Garner, a transfer from Pitt, shined in 2020 when he earned First Team All-MAC honors. The senior safety heads an experienced secondary. Patrick Lupro and Harrison Taylor are returning juniors along the back line.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
>> Junior Nick Mahalic averaged 42.6 yards per boot in 2020. Thiago Kapps hit 4-of-7 field goal attempts, including a 50-yard FG in the finale. He was good on 23-of-26 PATs. With Eskridge gone, the Broncos may turn to DaShon Bussell for returns.
SCHEDULE:
>> What more exciting way is there to open a season than to play at the Big House against Michigan? The Broncos have enough offensive weapons to make some of their own noise -- on the field. Tilts with Illinois State, (at) Pittsburgh, and San Jose State round out the non-conference slate. WMU will have to be ready when conference play starts, because the Broncos face (at) Buffalo, Ball State, Kent State and (at Toledo) over the next four weeks.
>> Junior Nick Mahalic averaged 42.6 yards per boot in 2020. Thiago Kapps hit 4-of-7 field goal attempts, including a 50-yard FG in the finale. He was good on 23-of-26 PATs. With Eskridge gone, the Broncos may turn to DaShon Bussell for returns.
SCHEDULE:
>> What more exciting way is there to open a season than to play at the Big House against Michigan? The Broncos have enough offensive weapons to make some of their own noise -- on the field. Tilts with Illinois State, (at) Pittsburgh, and San Jose State round out the non-conference slate. WMU will have to be ready when conference play starts, because the Broncos face (at) Buffalo, Ball State, Kent State and (at Toledo) over the next four weeks.
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