Waldo Stadium -- Kalamazoo, Mich
ESPN2
A benefit of mid-week games is a chance to to showcase MAC programs and talent to a national television audience. Viewers who tune in to Thursday’s Toledo at Western Michigan game will see plenty of talent, especially if they like offense.
The hosting Broncos have won six straight while riding the hot passing arm of junior quarterback Jon Wassink, skilled receivers like Jayden Reed and a running attack led by LeVante Bellany.
Toledo, meanwhile, has sputtered recently, losing three of its last four. However, it has an abundance of offensive weapons, including quarterback Mitchell Guadagni, who has an array of weapons for both the aerial and ground games.
For WMU (4-0 MAC) , it’s a chance deliver a virtual knockout punch to a Toledo (1-2 MAC) team that was considered a top-contender in the Mid-American Conference West. Coming off a 2017 MAC title, the Rockets were still very talented.
However, for all the things that went wrong (i.e. numerous injuries) in Western Michigan’s 2017 season, things have largely fall into place this time around. They’ll be tough to stop, especially in Kalamazoo.
The programs have played 72 times and have met every year since 1950. Toledo leads the series with Western 42-30. UT clinched the MAC West title with a 37-10 victory over WMU in last season’s regular season finale.
TOLEDO ROCKETS (3-4, 1-2 MAC)
➤➤ Since opening MAC play with a 52-36 blasting of rival Bowling Green, the Rockets have dropped their last two outings.
Guadagni was injured against Eastern Michigan and UT trailed 28-3 at one point. A second half comeback under under backup Eli Peters came up just short as a two-point conversion try failed and Toledo lost 28-26.
Last week was a different story the Rockets owned an early lead and Buffalc rallied for 31-17 victory despite three UT interceptions and five Rocket sacks.
➤➤ Peters came on in relief of Guadagni, completing 5-of-17 for 128 yards with a TD and one interception.
➤➤ Toledo picked up 158 yards yards and a score from 29 rushing attempts. Freshman Bryant Koback led the way with 81 yards, but 70 of that total came on one play -- a first half touchdown.
Shakif Seymore carried 12 times for 74 yards.
Overall, UT is second (behind WMU in rushing) with an average of 201.5 ypg
➤➤ No Toledo receiver had more than two catches, but junior Diontae Johnson totaled 87 yards and took one reception 80 yards for a score.
➤➤ UT leads the MAC in scoring (39.3 ppg) and is fourth in total offense (416.4 ypg).
➤➤ Toledo’s top three receivers have combined for 67 TD receptions in their careers.
➤➤ Toledo is 10th in scoring defense (34.8 ppg), ninth in total defense (454.0 ypg), eighth against the run (197.5 ypg), 10th against the pass (265.5 ypg) and seventh in pass defense efficiency.
WESTERN MICHIGAN (6-2, 4-0 MAC)
➤➤ The Broncos only two losses were to Syracuse (55-42) in Week One and then-No. 21 Michigan (49-3) the following week.
➤➤ Western build a 21-0 halftime lead Saturday against Central Michigan. The Chippewas managed 10 third quarter points, but could not get closer as WMU put the game away with a pair of fourth quarter TDs.
➤➤ Wassink ran in both of the late touchdowns, as well as the game’s opening score.
➤➤ Wassink is second among MAC quarterbacks in passing yards per game (247.5) and fifth in pass efficiency.
➤➤ The Broncos are diverse enough to ride the hot horse -- run or pass. Given extremely windy conditions last week against Central Michigan, WMU totaled just 51 yards passing but 305 yards on the ground. Earlier this season, Wassink tossed five touchdown passes and totaled 439 yards through the air against Miami.
➤➤ Jayden Reed has team-highs in catches (38), receiving yards (551) and receiving touchdowns (6). He also tops the league in punt return average (19.4 ypr).
➤➤ Junior LB Alex Grace has registered 59 tackles, 8.0 tfl an interception and a fumble return. He earned MAC West Defensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts against CMU.
➤➤ This is the third time in the last four years that WMU has started MAC play with a 4-0 mark. The Broncos became bowl eligible with last week’s victory over Central Michigan.
➤➤ Wassink needs just 20 more yards to reach 2,000 yards passing on the season. He was a mid-weason addition to the Manning Award Watch List.