Jon Wassink and Jordan Reed proved to be a dynamic duo Saturday as they led Western Michigan to a dramatic 40-39 victory over Miami at Yager Stadium.
The game came down to the final seconds as Miami attempted a 50-yard field goal attempt. Sam Sloman’s try had plenty of distance, but sailed just right. With the hard-fought victory, WMU opened conference play on a winning note and raised its overall record to 3-2. Miami, which won its MAC opener at Bowling Green last week, dropped to 1-4, 1-1 MAC.
Playing short-handed at a number of positions on both sides of the ball, Miami lost the services of several more Saturday. That complicated attempts to stop WMU’s passing attack, which was clicking on all cylinders.
The drive started and finished with Wassink completions. It was kept alive with a key fourth-down run by Jamauri Bogan. The Broncos would convert three of four fourth down opportunities on the day, with the last setting up WMU’s winning touchdown.
That 4th and 10 run of 14 yards was provided by Wassink, who covered the final two yards one play later.
It was Western Michigan’s only rushing touchdown of game, and Wassink also provided the other five -- with his arm. Reed, who was on the receiving end of four, finished WMU’s first drive with a 10-yard TD catch.
A short kickoff and Thomas’ 35-yard return set Miami up with a short field on its final drive of the opening period. Starting at the WMU 48 and benefitting from a pair of Bronco penalties along the way, the RedHawks took a 17-14 lead when Ragland hit Dominique Robinson with a 17-yard pass over the middle for the score.
Western Michigan enjoyed good field position through much of the second quarter, but neither team reached the end zone until late in the period. When WMU fumbled on consecutive possessions, Miami finally enjoyed some good field position and turned that into 10 points. Sloman hit a 44-yard field goal at 1:20 and Andrew Homer caught a 5-yard TD pass with just 10 seconds to make it a 27-14 RedHawk lead heading into intermission.
Wassink completed 27 of 42 attempts for 439 yards overall. His counterpart, Miami’s Gus Ragland, connected on 22 of 32 attempts, good for 294 yards and three TDs. Five of those completions came on the ensuring drive as MU covered 92 yards in 12 plays with Jordan Rigg taking it in from two yards out. Sloman’s kick failed, leaving MU in front 33-21.
The Wassink-Eckridge combination was still working on WMU’s next drive. They connected twice for a total of 42 yards along the way and Drake Harris caught a 3-yarder for the score. As with Miami, the PAT attempt was unsuccessful and Western Michigan trailed 33-27.
Down 39-34, Western Michigan began its decisive drive with 6:26 remaining. Wassink completed just three of eight along the way, but they were all chunk plays.
Three straight incompletions left the Broncos facing 4th and 10 at the Miami 16. With receivers clearing out the right side, Wassink pulled the ball down and ran 14 yards to the Miami two. One play later, he went up the middle to put Western in front 40-39. A try for two points failed.
Miami head coach Chuck Martin noted Sloman has been kicking very well this year and there was no question he could handle the distance. The decision was made, and Sloman covered the distance -- with some to spare- but it was slightly right.