Kelly/Shorts Stadium -- Mt. Pleasant, Mich
The Western Michigan Broncos are riding a five-game winning streak, but it’s been life on the edge in recent games. Last week was just one more example as WMU stormed back from a 21-17 halftime deficit to defeat Bowling Green 42-35. It was the third straight week in which the Broncos won by a touchdown or less.
Hosting WMU is a Central Michigan team that was on the wrong side of the edge last week when it dropped a 24-23 decision at home to Ball State. It was the Cardinals third straight defeat and sixth in seven outings this year.
Saturday’s WMU vs CMU winner will get the rivalry’s Cannon Trophy and the outcome is another key piece to top honors in the MAC Michigan Trophy. The latter goes to the MAC Michigan team with the best record in games between the three that year.
Western Michigan and Central Michigan first met back in 1907, with WMU posting a 27-0 shutout. The Broncos own a 48-38-2 advantage in the series and are 5-2 against Central over the last seven seasons. Both losses came in Kalamazoo.
Last year’s contest appeared to be headed WMU’s way as the Broncos were up 21-7 at the half and 28-14 in the fourth quarter. However, CMU scored 21 unanswered points in the final stanza to pull out a 35-28 victory at Waldo Stadium.
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS (5-2, 3-0 MAC)
>>>> Head Coach Jon Lester, now in his second season at the Broncos helm, took over offensive play-calling this year and the Broncos are thriving.
>>>> The Bronco top all MAC teams in scoring with an average of 43.0 ppg. They are also No. 1 in total offense (483.0 ypg)
>>>> Western leads the MAC in rushing offense (207.4 ypg) and is second in pass offense (275.6 ypg).
>>>> Talk about balance!! Levante Bellamy tops MAC rushers with an average of 96.6 ypg), while QB Jon Wassink is No. 1 among passers with an average of 275.6 ypg. Bellamy is also tops in all-purpose yards (139.6 ypg).
>>>> Jamauri Bogan earned MAC West Player of the Week honors after his performance against Bowling Green last week. He scored four TDs while gaining 75 yards.
>>>> Through the first seven weeks of this season, WMU has had five different players recognized as a conference player of the week.
>>>> Drake Spears and Alex Grace top Broncos defenders and hav comb ined for 97 tackles, 13.5 tfl and 3.0 sacks.
>>>> WMU ranks eighth (MAC) in scoring defense (36.8 ppg), sixth in rushing defense (168.6 ypg) and sixth in pass defense (220.1 ypg). The Broncos are 10th in pass defense efficiency.
>>>> Opponents are converting just 33.3 percent of their third downs against Western. That tops the MAC.
>>>> CMU is tied for third in sacking opponent quarterbacks, averaging 2.43 per contest.
>>>> The Chippewas have sometimes struggled on offense. Their 18.1 ppg average is last in the MAC, as is the 286.7 ypg in total offense. They are sixth in scoring defense (26.3 ppg) and fourth in total defense (351.9 ypg).
>>>> The Chippewas are last in pass efficiency, but second in pass defense efficiency.
>>>> The Chippewas were up 20-7 heading into the fourth quarter last week against Ball State. After the Cardinals scored two touchdowns to take a 21-20 lead.
Ryann Tice kicked his third field goal of the game with 4:19 left to put Central back in front, but the Cardinals drove 56 yards in 12 plays to set up a winning field goal with 47 ticks left.
>>>> CMU committed 11 penalties for 115 yards in the loss to Ball State.
>>>> Junior QB Tommy Lazzaro completed 11 of 22 passes for 127 yards with one TD against the Cardinals. He also ran 25 times for 511 yards with one score. Romello Ross was one yard better with 14 trips for 111 yards.
>>>> Four Central receivers had two receptions last week. Senior LB Malik Fountain had 18 stops against Ball State and is second among all MAC defenders (83 tackles, 11.9 per game)