KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Senior wide receiver Corey Davis and junior running back Jarvion Franklin each put on a show Saturday night as Western Michigan improved to 6-0 in front of a near-capacity 28,042 homecoming crowd, defeating Northern Illinois, 45-30, at Waldo Stadium. The win moves the Broncos to 6-0, their best start since 1941, and 2-0 in MAC play. NIU fell to 1-5, 1-1 MAC)
It was the Broncos' first win over the Huskies since 2008, as WMU head coachP.J. Fleck defeated his alma mater for the first time in his career. Fleck was an all-conference wide receiver at NIU, playing from 1999-2003.
The Bronco offense . . .
It was the Broncos' first win over the Huskies since 2008, as WMU head coachP.J. Fleck defeated his alma mater for the first time in his career. Fleck was an all-conference wide receiver at NIU, playing from 1999-2003.
The Bronco offense . . .
. . . erupted for 14 straight points in the second half to pull away from the Huskies, who had cut the lead to 24-23. Franklin finished with 249 total yards of offense and Davis had six catches for 122 yards and two TDs.
The two combined for a highlight reel series late in the third quarter. Holding onto the 24-23 lead, Franklin made a reception on a wheel route and NIU's safety Mycial Allen lowered his shoulder on a hit that was flagged as a personal foul. Franklin, however, did not go down, absorbing the blow and then continuing down the sideline for a 39-yard gain down to the NIU 23.
Davis, who was celebrated before the game for breaking the all-time MAC receiving yards record last week, then had perhaps his best catch of the season, a one-handed grab in the corner of the end zone to make it 31-23. It was his 41st TD grab of his career, passing Super Bowl champion Greg Jennings for the most touchdown receptions in school history.
Following a Huskies three-and-out, redshirt freshman Davon Tucker ripped off a 26-yard touchdown and WMU stretched its lead to 38-23.
The Huskies continued to fight, scoring a touchdown on an 8-yard run by quarterback Anthony Maddie with 8:38 left in the game. WMU, however, answered back as Terrell hit Davis for a 56-yard reception and then capped the Bronco drive, scoring himself on a 2-yard keeper for the final score of 45-30.
Maddie led the NIU rushing attack with 111 yards and a TD. That was part of a ground game that provided 251 yards and two touchdowns. Maddie also completed 14 of 30 passes for 224 yards with one TD and two interceptions.
Western Michigan jumped on Northern Illinois from the start, scoring on two of its three drives in the first quarter to go up 14-0. Franklin got his best day of the year started early with his 32-yard pass reception for a score on 4th-and-5. It was his second career receiving TD. Franklin was dominant on the ground as well, finishing with 31 carries for 169 yards and three catches for 80 yards. It was his second straight 100-yard rushing game.
Northern Illinois' final two possessions resulted in interceptions by Robert Spillane and Justin Ferguson. The Broncos were able to run the remaining time off the clock taking a knee following the pick by Spillane.
Terrell recorded 327 yards passing on 18-of-24, throwing for three touchdowns and running for a fourth.
Spillane led Western Michigan with 11 tackles, while Ferguson registered 10.
WMU had 573 yards of total offense, its second highest production of the year.
The Broncos did not turn the ball over and remain as the only team in the nation that has zero turnovers on the year.
NEXT: Both teams play next Saturday. WMU is at Akron (3:30 p.m. ET), while Northern Illinois hosts Central Michigan (3:30 p.m. ET)
Davis, who was celebrated before the game for breaking the all-time MAC receiving yards record last week, then had perhaps his best catch of the season, a one-handed grab in the corner of the end zone to make it 31-23. It was his 41st TD grab of his career, passing Super Bowl champion Greg Jennings for the most touchdown receptions in school history.
Following a Huskies three-and-out, redshirt freshman Davon Tucker ripped off a 26-yard touchdown and WMU stretched its lead to 38-23.
The Huskies continued to fight, scoring a touchdown on an 8-yard run by quarterback Anthony Maddie with 8:38 left in the game. WMU, however, answered back as Terrell hit Davis for a 56-yard reception and then capped the Bronco drive, scoring himself on a 2-yard keeper for the final score of 45-30.
Maddie led the NIU rushing attack with 111 yards and a TD. That was part of a ground game that provided 251 yards and two touchdowns. Maddie also completed 14 of 30 passes for 224 yards with one TD and two interceptions.
Western Michigan jumped on Northern Illinois from the start, scoring on two of its three drives in the first quarter to go up 14-0. Franklin got his best day of the year started early with his 32-yard pass reception for a score on 4th-and-5. It was his second career receiving TD. Franklin was dominant on the ground as well, finishing with 31 carries for 169 yards and three catches for 80 yards. It was his second straight 100-yard rushing game.
Northern Illinois' final two possessions resulted in interceptions by Robert Spillane and Justin Ferguson. The Broncos were able to run the remaining time off the clock taking a knee following the pick by Spillane.
Terrell recorded 327 yards passing on 18-of-24, throwing for three touchdowns and running for a fourth.
Spillane led Western Michigan with 11 tackles, while Ferguson registered 10.
WMU had 573 yards of total offense, its second highest production of the year.
The Broncos did not turn the ball over and remain as the only team in the nation that has zero turnovers on the year.
NEXT: Both teams play next Saturday. WMU is at Akron (3:30 p.m. ET), while Northern Illinois hosts Central Michigan (3:30 p.m. ET)
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