With the win, the Broncos improve their overall record to 4-2 and 2-0 in Mid-American Conference play. WMU has won four straight games and begins MAC play 2-0 for the fourth straight year. Eastern Michigan dropped to 2-4, 0-3 MAC.
The Bronco defense was led by junior linebacker Alex Grace, who recorded a game-high 12 tackles followed by juniors Drake Spears and Justin Tranquill with nine. Sophomore defensive tackle Ralph Holley forced a fumble and registered a career-high six tackles and two sacks.
Junior running back LeVante Bellamy provided the offensive spark for the Broncos registering 17 carries for 76 yards and two total touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). Redshirt senior Jamauri Bogan had 15 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. Bogan’s rushing TD was his 31st in his career, passing Bronco Hall of Famer Robert Sanford for third all-time at WMU.
Through the air, junior quarterback Jon Wassink went 16-for-27 for 235 yards and one touchdown. Wassink also had a one-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter, his third rushing touchdown of the season.
In his second game returning from injury, junior D’Wayne Eskridge had two receptions for 62 yards including a 49-yard reception to end the third quarter.
It was a quick start for the Broncos after the defense forced a three and out as Wassink found Reed on a 23-yard pass down to the Eastern Michigan 14-yard line. One play later, Bellamy found the end zone to give WMU an early 7-0 lead. The first quarter ended with the Bronco out in front after the defense held the Eagles to just 66 yards of total offense.
EMU tied the game up early in the second quarter thanks to a seven play, 58-yard drive that was capped by a one-handed touchdown grab from tight end Gunnar Oakes. The two teams battled for field position before Holley forced an EMU fumblem which was recovered by sophomore A.J. Thomas at the EMU 38-yard line. It was Thomas’ second career fumble recovery.
On the ensuing possession WMU converted on two fourth downs en route to a one-yard rushing touchdown to give WMU a 14-7 lead. The rushing touchdown was the 31st of Bogan’s career, ranking third on WMU’s career rushing touchdown list. EMU made a 39-yard field as the half expired to give WMU a 14-10 lead heading into halftime.
Eastern Michigan took its first lead of the game midway through the third quarter after quarterback Mike Glass III ran it in from four yards out. The Bronco offense stalled in the third quarter, racking up 158 total yards but was unable to find the end zone.
To end the third quarter, Wassink found Eskridge for 49-yards to set-up a one-yard touchdown from Wassink on the next play to begin the fourth. The Wassink rushing touchdown capped off a seven play, 91-yard drive, marking the fourth time this season WMU has had a scoring drive of over 90 yards.
Western Michigan sealed the game one drive later after an EMU punt as Bellamy earned his second touchdown of the day on a 15-yard strike from Wassink. EMU scored on a 13-yard touchdown with 20 seconds left to cut the Bronco lead to three before Western Michigan recovered the onside kick to seal the win.