After rebounding from a 28-19 fourth quarter deficit to post their first win of the 2017 season (37-28 over Idaho), the Western Michigan Broncos have a chance to end non-conference play at .500 this weekend.
Three weeks ago, WMU battled No. 4 Southern Cal, followed by Michigan State one week later.
The Broncos challenge . . .
Three weeks ago, WMU battled No. 4 Southern Cal, followed by Michigan State one week later.
The Broncos challenge . . .
. . . should be a bit easier this Saturday as they host Wagner, an FCS team out of the Northeast Conference. A preseason coaches poll picked the Seahawks to finish third in the seven-team conference.
This is the first meeting between the two schools.
This is the first meeting between the two schools.
WAGNER AT WESTERN MICHIGAN
Saturday, Sept. 23 – 7 p.m. ET
Waldo Stadium – Kalamazoo, MI
ESPN3
Saturday, Sept. 23 – 7 p.m. ET
Waldo Stadium – Kalamazoo, MI
ESPN3
WAGNER SEAHAWKS (1-2, 0-1 NEC)
● Wagner College is located in Staten Island, N.Y. and was founded in 1883. It has an enrollment of 2,000. (Western Michigan has an enrollment of 18,889).
● Wagner landed five players on the 2017 All-Northeast Conference Football First Team: Senior QB Alex Thomson, senior wide receiver John Williams, senior OL Matt Diaz, Senior DL Jordan Baskerville and grad kicker James Cooper
● After winning their opener over Division II Saint Anselm, the Seahawks fell to preseason NEC favorite St. Francis U. 31-6. Beyond the decision, however, Wagner lost All-NEC quarterback Alex Thomson to a season-ending injury.
● Junior QB Luke Massei has taken over for Thomson and helped Wagner overcome a 14-0 second half deficit before falling to Columbia, 17-14, on a last-second 29-yard field goal.
● Massei has completed 23 of 35 attempts (65.7%) with two interceptions and no touchdowns. He took over for Thomson midway through Wager’s second game.
● D’Erren Wilson leads Seahawk receivers with 15 catches for 181 yards and the team’s only receiving touchdown.
● Ryan Fulse is the top rusher, turning 41 attempts into 251 yards (6.1 ypc) and three TDs.
● The Seahawks are plus-3 in turnover margin, having lost one fumble and recorded four interceptions.
● Linebackers Santoni Graham and Quintin Hampton have combined for 53 tackles overall, including 11 tfl.
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS (1-2)
● New head coach Tim Lester picked up his first coaching win at his alma mater when WMU defeated Idaho last week.
● QB Jon Wassink ran for a pair of key fourth quarter touchdowns in the Idaho comeback. The sophomore from Grand Rapids, MI also passed for 212 yards with a touchdown on 21 of 31 completions.
● The Broncos rushed 42 times for 135 yards last week. The season total is 514 yards on 126 carries (4.1 ypc).
● WMU forced three turnovers, leading to 13 points, against Idaho and ranks No. 1 among MAC teams in turnover margin (plus-4).
● Sophomore D’Wayne Eskridge leads Bronco receivers with nine catches for 112 yard (1 TD).
● Josh Grand has converted all eight extra points and four of five field goals, with a long of 43.
● Leading WMU tacklers are Asantay Brown (20), Stef Claiborne ((19.5) and Rob Spillane (18.0).
● Darius Phillips tops the MAC on kick returns with eight returns for 349 yards with two TDs.
● Wagner College is located in Staten Island, N.Y. and was founded in 1883. It has an enrollment of 2,000. (Western Michigan has an enrollment of 18,889).
● Wagner landed five players on the 2017 All-Northeast Conference Football First Team: Senior QB Alex Thomson, senior wide receiver John Williams, senior OL Matt Diaz, Senior DL Jordan Baskerville and grad kicker James Cooper
● After winning their opener over Division II Saint Anselm, the Seahawks fell to preseason NEC favorite St. Francis U. 31-6. Beyond the decision, however, Wagner lost All-NEC quarterback Alex Thomson to a season-ending injury.
● Junior QB Luke Massei has taken over for Thomson and helped Wagner overcome a 14-0 second half deficit before falling to Columbia, 17-14, on a last-second 29-yard field goal.
● Massei has completed 23 of 35 attempts (65.7%) with two interceptions and no touchdowns. He took over for Thomson midway through Wager’s second game.
● D’Erren Wilson leads Seahawk receivers with 15 catches for 181 yards and the team’s only receiving touchdown.
● Ryan Fulse is the top rusher, turning 41 attempts into 251 yards (6.1 ypc) and three TDs.
● The Seahawks are plus-3 in turnover margin, having lost one fumble and recorded four interceptions.
● Linebackers Santoni Graham and Quintin Hampton have combined for 53 tackles overall, including 11 tfl.
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS (1-2)
● New head coach Tim Lester picked up his first coaching win at his alma mater when WMU defeated Idaho last week.
● QB Jon Wassink ran for a pair of key fourth quarter touchdowns in the Idaho comeback. The sophomore from Grand Rapids, MI also passed for 212 yards with a touchdown on 21 of 31 completions.
● The Broncos rushed 42 times for 135 yards last week. The season total is 514 yards on 126 carries (4.1 ypc).
● WMU forced three turnovers, leading to 13 points, against Idaho and ranks No. 1 among MAC teams in turnover margin (plus-4).
● Sophomore D’Wayne Eskridge leads Bronco receivers with nine catches for 112 yard (1 TD).
● Josh Grand has converted all eight extra points and four of five field goals, with a long of 43.
● Leading WMU tacklers are Asantay Brown (20), Stef Claiborne ((19.5) and Rob Spillane (18.0).
● Darius Phillips tops the MAC on kick returns with eight returns for 349 yards with two TDs.
RSS Feed