Doyt Perry Stadium -- Bowling Green, Oh
Riding a four-game winning streak, the Western Michigan Broncos aim to keep the “W’s” rolling Saturday when they meet a Bowling Green team trying to avoid a four-game losing streak.
This is the 54th meeting between WMU and BGSU, with the Falcons holding a 32-18-3 edge. The last meeting between the interdivisional foes was in 2015, and Bowling Green registered a 41-27 victory. Prior to that, the Broncos had won four in a row, dating back to 2005.
With two highly productive quarterbacks at the helms, both defenses will be tested. Western Michigan’s Jon Wassink leads the MAC with an average of 276.3 passing yards per game and his 14 touchdown passes is third-best.
Meanwhile, Bowling Green’s Jarret Doege has thrown for 276.3 ypg., third best among MAC quarterbacks.
Of the two QB starters, Doege has had a somewhat tougher road. The Falcons have given up 17 sacks -- 10th in the league. Western Michigan is tied for second, allowing just four sacks.
Western Michigan also provides a solid run option as it averages 195.8 ypg (3rd MAC). Bowling Green is last with a rush average of 103.5 ypg.
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS (4-2, 2-0 MAC)
➤➤ The Broncos have not lost since Sept. 9, when then-No. 21 Michigan posted a 49-3 victory at the Big House. Just over one week earlier, Syracuse took a 55-42 decision in an offensive slugfest.
➤➤ WMU ranks third in scoring offense(35.7 ppg) and tops the MAC in total offense (472.2 ypg). It is first in pass offense (276.3 ypg) and third in rushing offense (195.8 ypg).
➤➤ Junior LeVante Bellamy tops the conference in rushing with an average of 88.5 ypg. He has gone over 100 yards twice this season and gained 76 yards (1 TD) on 17 carries against Eastern Michigan last week.
➤➤ Freshman wide receiver Jayden Reed has a MAC-best three 100-yard receiving games, while junior D’Wayne Eskridge has two and leads the conference with an average of 115.8 ypg.
➤➤ Reed is also dangerous as a punt returner. His 26.7 yards per return is more than double any other player and he is the only returner with a punt return for a touchdown.
➤➤ Drake Spears and Alex Grace are averaging 7.5 tackles per game. The latter is tied for second in tackles for loss (7.0).
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS (1-5, 0-2 MAC)
➤➤ The Falcons only win to date was a 42-35 decision over Eastern Kentucky in Week Three.
➤➤ Bowling Green is coming off a 52-36 loss to area rival Toledo last week at the Glass Bowl. Down 17-0 in the first quarter, the Falcons scored three of the next four touchdowns to trail 24-21 at intermission.
After the teams traded third quarter touchdowns, Toledo pulled away with three straight TDs before Bowling Green added a late touchdown of its own.
➤➤ Sophomore Andrew Clair logged 12 carries for 118 yards and two TDs to lead a BG running game that totaled 1192 yards with two touchdowns.
➤➤ Doege connected on 18 of 34 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns against UT.
He is completing 62.6 percent of his passes on the year and has a 15/6 TD/Interception ratio. His 15 touchdown tosses is 10th nationally and second among MAC passers.
➤➤ Doege has thrown for at least 250 yards four times this season, including his first 300-yard game (versus Georgia Tech). He has been responsible for at least two touchdowns (throwing or rushing) in 10 consecutive games for the Falcons.
➤➤ Senior Scott Miller leads BG receivers with 34 catches for 434 yards and four TDs. Quinton Morris is tops in receiving touchdowns (5).
➤➤ Four Falcon receivers have at least 20 catches.
➤➤ Bowling Green’s offense has produced 16 passing scores and five via rushing.
➤➤ Stopping the run has been an issue for BG, which is last among MAC teams in rushing defense. Opponents are averaging 332.3 ypg by land.
➤➤ Bowling Green is sixth in pass efficiency and ninth in pass defense efficiency.
➤➤ Senior LB Brandon Harris and junior DB Jerry McBride have registered 56 tackles apiece, averaging 9.3 stops per game (tied for fifth MAC).