2016 Western Michigan Broncos football | |
---|---|
MAC champion MAC West Division champion | |
MAC Championship, W 29–23 vs. Ohio | |
Cotton Bowl Classic, L 16–24 vs. Wisconsin | |
Conference | Mid-American Conference |
West Division | |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 18 |
AP | No. 15 |
Record | 13–1 (8–0 MAC) |
Head coach |
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Offensive coordinator | Kirk Ciarrocca (4th season) |
Offensive scheme | Spread |
Defensive coordinator | Ed Pinkham (4th season) |
Base defense | 4–3 |
Home stadium | Waldo Stadium |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
East Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ohio xy | 6 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Miami (OH) x | 6 | – | 2 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Akron | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowling Green | 3 | – | 5 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kent State | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Buffalo | 1 | – | 7 | 2 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 15 Western Michigan xy$ | 8 | – | 0 | 13 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Toledo | 6 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northern Illinois | 5 | – | 3 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eastern Michigan | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Central Michigan | 3 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ball State | 1 | – | 7 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Western Michigan 29, Ohio 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2016 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by fourth-year head coach P. J. Fleck and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Broncos completed their regular season undefeated and won the MAC West Division title. The Broncos finished conference play defeating the Ohio Bobcats 29–23 in the 2016 MAC Championship Game, winning the school's first MAC championship title since 1988. WMU received an invitation to the 2017 Cotton Bowl as the highest rated Group of Five team in the College Football Playoff (CFP). It was the first major-bowl appearance in school history (and second for a MAC team). The Broncos also won 10 games in a season for the first time in their 111-year football history. They lost to the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers in the New Years Six bowl game, 24–16.
WMU received its first national top 25 ranking after they beat rival Central Michigan and was No. 25 in the Coaches Poll. Following its first win over Northern Illinois since 2008, the Broncos were ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in school history at No. 24 in week seven. [1] The Broncos debuted in the CFP poll at No. 23. They finished the regular season ranked 18th in the Coaches Poll and 15th in the AP Poll.
The Mid-American Conference preseason poll was released on July 28, 2016. The Broncos were predicted to finish first in the West Division and win the MAC Championship Game. [2]
MAC West Division media poll | ||
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
---|---|---|
1 | Western Michigan | 144 (19) |
2 | Toledo | 113 (2) |
3 | Northern Illinois | 112 (3) |
4 | Central Michigan | 98 (2) |
5 | Ball State | 44 |
6 | Eastern Michigan | 35 |
The following table lists WMU schedule. [3]
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 3 | Noon | at Northwestern * | ESPNU | W 22–21 | 30,635 | ||
September 10 | 7:00 pm | North Carolina Central * | ESPN3 | W 70–21 | 23,727 | ||
September 17 | 4:00 pm | at Illinois * | ESPNews | W 34–10 | 40,954 | ||
September 24 | 7:00 pm | Georgia Southern * |
| ESPN3 | W 49–31 | 17,208 [4] | |
October 1 | 7:00 pm | at Central Michigan | CBSSN | W 49–10 | 30,411 [5] | ||
October 8 | 6:30 pm | Northern Illinois |
| CBSSN | W 45–30 | 28,042 [6] | |
October 15 | 3:30 pm | at Akron | No. 24 | CBSSN | W 41–0 | 11,321 [7] | |
October 22 | 3:30 pm | Eastern Michigan | No. 20 |
| ASN | W 45–31 | 23,721 [8] |
November 1 | 8:00 pm | at Ball State | No. 23 | ESPN2 | W 52–20 | 5,614 | |
November 8 | 7:30 pm | at Kent State | No. 21 | ESPN2 | W 37–21 | 4,536 | |
November 19 | 3:30 pm | Buffalo | No. 21 |
| ESPNU | W 38–0 | 26,136 |
November 25 | 5:00 pm | Toledo | No. 21 |
| ESPN2 | W 55–35 | 24,191 |
December 2 | 7:00 pm | vs. Ohio | No. 17 | ESPN2 | W 29–23 | 45,615 | |
January 2, 2017 | 1:00 pm | vs. No. 8 Wisconsin * | No. 15 | ESPN | L 16–24 | 59,615 | |
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The following table lists the team's coaching staff. [9]
Name | Position | Year at WMU | Alma mater |
---|---|---|---|
P. J. Fleck | Head coach | 4th | Northern Illinois (2004) |
Kirk Ciarrocca | Offensive coordinator | 4th | Temple (1990) |
Ed Pinkham | Defensive coordinator, defensive backs | 4th | Allegheny (1975) |
Kenni Burns | Running backs | 1st | Indiana (2006) |
Brian Callahan | Offensive line | 4th | Eastern Illinois (1992) |
David Duggan | Linebackers | 1st | New Hampshire (1986) |
Bill Kenney | Tight ends, offensive tackles | 4th | Norwich (1982) |
Matt Simon | Wide receivers | 3rd | Northern Illinois (2004) |
Rob Wenger | Special teams, defensive ends | 4th | Colgate (2008) |
Jimmy Williams | Defensive line | 1st | Nebraska (1982) |
2016 Western Michigan Broncos football | ||||||||||
Quarterback
Tailback
Wide receiver
Tight end
| Offensive lineman
Defensive lineman
Kicker | Linebacker
Defensive back
Punter
Long snappers |
During the week leading up to the opening game, two freshmen, Ron George and Bryson White, were arraigned on charges of "armed robbery, first-degree home invasion and larceny from a building". The police allege that they used a gun and a knife to rob a woman. [10]
White was already facing criminal charges in Ohio related to driving under the influence of marijuana and driving on a suspended license. A passenger in his car was charged with carrying a gun and White refused to cooperate when asked about it. [11]
The players were dismissed from the team.
Taylor Moton was named to the Football Writers' Association of America All-American second team. [12]
Corey Davis was named as a first team All-American by the Associated Press, the FWAA, and the American Football Coaches Association, earning him honors as the school's first "consensus" All-American. [13] He earned second team honors from The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. [13]
For his classroom exploits that include a 4.0 GPA in his Masters' program, quarterback Zach Terrell won the prestigious Campbell Trophy, known as the "academic Heisman." [14]
Zach Terrell was chosen as a scholar athlete by the National Football Foundation as one of 12 athletes across all four (FBS, FCS, II, III) divisions of college football to receive an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. [15]
Robert Spillane was named MAC West Defensive Player of the Week for his week one performance in the team's 22–21 win at Northwestern in which he collected seven tackles and forced a fumble. [16] Spillane later earned Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors in the Broncos' week three win at Illinois in which he made 11 tackles and snagged his first career interception. [17] Spillane later earned DPOW honors with 14 tackles in the Broncos' 45–31 win over Eastern Michigan in week eight. [18] In the Broncos' 37–21 win over Kent State, Spillane recorded a crucial safety that resulted in week ten honors. [19]
Darius Phillips was named MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week for his week two performance against North Carolina Central that included a 66-yard punt return touchdown. [20] Phillips' standout performance that included a 100-yard kick return touchdown in week four against Georgia Southern earned him STPOW honors in week five. [21]
Jamauri Bogan earned honors as MAC West Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his 189 rushing yards and two touchdowns at Illinois in week three. [17]
Zach Terrell became the week four MAC West Offensive Player of the Week for his 270 yards passing and four touchdowns in the Broncos' 49–31 win over Georgia Southern. [21] Terrell would garner honors again for his 445-yard passing performance in the Broncos' 38–0 rout of Buffalo. [22]
Wide receiver Corey Davis had six receptions for 72 yards and two touchdowns against rival Central Michigan earned him week five MAC West Offensive Player of the Week honors as he passed former Bronco Jordan White for the conference record for career receiving yards. [23] Davis would snag honors again with a 12-reception, 272-yard receiving effort that included three touchdowns against Ball State. [24]
Jarvion Franklin, the 2014 MAC Offensive Player of the Year and MAC Freshman of the Year [25] received honors as MAC West Offensive Player of the Week after the Broncos' 45–30 win over Northern Illinois in week six during which he tallied 249 all-purpose yards (169 rushing and 80 receiving) with a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown (both on fourth down plays) [26] to help buoy WMU's offensive efforts. [27] Later, in week seven at Akron, Franklin again earned MAC West honors as he set the school record for single game rushing with 281 yards on 33 attempts in the Broncos' 41–0 win over the Zips. [28]
Caleb Bailey collected seven tackles (including 2.5 tackles for loss) and an interception in the Broncos' 41–0 victory at Akron to earn week seven honors as MAC West Defensive Player of the Week. [28]
Asantay Brown tallied six tackles, including one for loss, and an interception return for a touchdown in the Broncos' 55–35 rout of Toledo in week 13, earning him honors as MAC West Defensive Player of the Week. [29]
Zach Terrell earned honors as Scholar Athlete of the Week for the week of Oct. 3–10 for his performance in the Broncos' 45–30 win over Northern Illinois on Oct. 8. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 327 yards and accounted for four touchdowns total (three passing, one rushing) in the first Western Michigan victory over the Huskies since 2008. Terrell boasted a 4.0 GPA in his Master's of Business Administration program and completed his undergraduate degree in finance earlier in 2016 with a GPA of 3.66. [30]
Taylor Moton earned honors as Scholar Athlete of the Week for the week of Nov. 14–21 for his performance in the Broncos' 37–21 win over Kent State as he helped buoy an effort of 329 rushing yards against the Golden Flashes on national television. [31] Moton spent most of the year rated at No. 1 on the Schneider Scale, which is used to determine the Outland Trophy winner (best offensive lineman not playing center).
On December 27, 2016, the Mid-American Conference named seven Broncos as Distinguished Scholar Athletes: [32]
Sixteen players from the team were named to the Academic All-Conference team: Lucas Bezzera, Kasey Carson, Lucas Cherocci, David Curle, Alex Grace, Austin Guido, Luke Juriga, John Keenoy, Odell Miller, Derek Mitchell, Taylor Moton, Zach Novoselsky, Giovanni Ricci, Trevor Sweeney, Zach Terrell and Justin Tranquill. [33]
After winning their first two games against Northwestern and North Carolina Central, WMU received 1 vote in the Coaches Poll. [34] Their road win against Illinois moved the Broncos to 3–0 where they received 6 votes in the AP Poll and 16 votes in the Coaches Poll. [35] WMU received their first Top 25 ranking in program history after they defeated rival Central Michigan and moved to 5–0. [36]
The table below shows the week-by-week status of WMU in the college football polls.
Week | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
AP | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | 24 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 |
Coaches | — | — | RV | RV | RV | 25 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 18 |
CFP | Not released | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 15 | Not released |
Source [37]
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|
Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
Tied 1–1 | 2013 | NW, 38–17 |
Western Michigan withstood a three-touchdown effort from Northwestern running back Justin Jackson and used a late Jamauri Bogan touchdown to win its season opener in Evanston. [38] The Broncos recovered a fumble late in the game that was upheld on video review. It marked the Broncos' first win over a Big Ten school since 2008.
Source [39]
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|
Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
WMU leads 1–0 | N/A | N/A |
Seven different Western Michigan players scored touchdowns in the Broncos' home-opening 70–21 win over Division I FCS opponent North Carolina Central. [40]
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Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
ILL leads 4–2 | 2012 | 24–7, ILL |
Running back Jamauri Bogan scored two rushing touchdowns and kicker Butch Hampton booted two field goals to lift the Broncos to victory over their second Big Ten opponent of the season. [42] It was the first win over Illinois since 2008.
Source [43]
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Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
Tied 1–1 | 2015 | 43–17, GASO |
Darius Phillips' kickoff return touchdown and interception return touchdown helped stake the Broncos to a 42–17 lead as they eventually held on to win, 49–31, over non-conference opponent Georgia Southern. [44]
Source [45]
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Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
WMU leads 48–37–2 | 2015 | 41–39, WMU |
Western Michigan used a fast start that resulted in a 21–3 halftime lead to defeat the arch-rival Chippewas in Mount Pleasant, 49–10. [46] The victory gave the Broncos their third straight victory in the series, their fifth victory in the past six meetings, and their third consecutive victory in Mount Pleasant (2012, 2014, 2016) after only having won there in 1965, 1970, 1973, and 2002 since WMU went Division I in 1962. [47]
Source [26]
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Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
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WMU leads 24–18 | 2015 | 27–18, NIU |
Western Michigan beat Northern Illinois 45–30, to improve their record to 6–0 (2–0 MAC). [48] With the win, the Broncos had beaten all three Illinois FBS teams in the same season—Northwestern, Illinois, and Northern Illinois.
Source [49]
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Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
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WMU leads 14–4 | 2011 | 68–19, WMU |
Western Michigan's first match-up against the Zips since 2011 was again a one-sided contest as the Broncos raced out to a 27–0 halftime lead en route to a 41–0 win over the East Division-leading Akron Zips. Corey Davis caught two touchdown passes and Jarvion Franklin set the school record for single game rushing with 281 yards on 33 attempts. Franklin added an 18-yard pass reception, giving him 299 all-purpose yards in the victory. [28] Linebackers Caleb Bailey and Kasey Carson collected interceptions to help preserve the shutout. [49]
Source [50]
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Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
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WMU leads 32–18 | 2015 | 58–28, WMU |
Zach Terrell threw three touchdowns, two of them to Carrington Thompson, and for 398 yards as the Broncos held off a game Eastern Michigan team that would eventually qualify for its first bowl game since 1987. [8]
Source [52]
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Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
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WMU leads 23–19 | 2015 | 54–7, WMU |
Corey Davis had a big game on national television with 12 receptions for 272 yards and three scores as the Broncos raced out to a 28–10 halftime lead and went on to win, 52–20. [53]
Source [54]
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Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
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WMU leads 33–20–1 | 2013 | 32–14, KENT |
Fabian Johnson rushed for a career-high 125 yards as the Broncos had to rally from a 14–0 deficit on the road to win, 37–21, at Dix Stadium, in a rainy Election Day contest on national television. [55]
Source [56]
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Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
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WMU leads 5–2 | 2013 | 33–0, BUFF |
Zach Terrell was the hero again for the Broncos, as he shredded the Bulls' defense for 445 yards passing in a 38–0 rout that was preceded by a visit from College Gameday for the first time in school history.
Source [57]
|
Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
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TOL leads 41–29 | 2015 | 35–30, WMU |
Linebacker Asantay Brown scored on the game's first play from scrimmage with an interception return for a touchdown and Jamauri Bogan returned to form with 31 carries for 198 yards and a touchdown as the Broncos routed Toledo, 55–35, for the MAC West divisional title. Corey Davis also broke the Division I FBS career receiving yardage record in the win. [58]
Source [59]
|
Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
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WMU leads 32–28–1 | 2015 | 49–14, WMU |
Kicker Butch Hampton booted five field goals and linebacker Robert Spillane intercepted Ohio quarterback Greg Windham with 51 seconds remaining to deliver the first MAC championship to Kalamazoo since 1988. [60] The Broncos finished the regular season 13–0 for the first time in school history with the victory.
Source [61]
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Series record | Previous meeting | Result |
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WISC leads 4–1 | 2000 | 19–7, WISC |
The only blemish on Western Michigan's 2016 campaign came in the postseason as Dare Ogunbowale, Corey Clement, and Troy Fumagalli scored touchdowns for Wisconsin in a 24–16 defeat for the Broncos. Zach Terrell threw for a touchdown and ran for another in his final collegiate game. The touchdown pass went to Corey Davis, playing in his final collegiate game, as well. [62]
Philip John Fleck Jr. is an American football coach and former wide receiver. He has served as the head coach for the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team since 2017.
The Western Michigan Broncos football program represents Western Michigan University in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I and the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Western Michigan has competed in football since 1906, when they played three games in their inaugural season. In 1927, WMU joined four other schools to form the Michigan Collegiate Conference. Western Michigan then moved to its present conference in 1948. Prior to 1939, Western Michigan's athletic teams were known as the Hilltoppers.
The 2007 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bill Cubit and played their homes game in Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Broncos finished the season 5–7 overall and 3–4 in the Mid-American Conference. The highlight of the season was the 28–19 road victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes, a team that finished fifth in the Big Ten Conference .
The 2008 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the 2008 NCAA football season. The team was coached by Bill Cubit and played their homes game in Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The 2009 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the 2009 NCAA football season. The WMU football team was coached by Bill Cubit and played their home games in Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan. WMU finished the season 5–7, defeating fellow Mid-American Conference (MAC) members Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Miami and Toledo, Football Championship Subdivision team Hofstra and losing to rival Central Michigan, Kent State, Northern Illinois, Ball State, Big Ten Conference members Indiana, Michigan and Michigan State.
The 2009–10 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team was an NCAA Division I college basketball team representing Western Michigan University. The team was the two-time defending Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division champion. WMU was coached by Steve Hawkins who was in his seventh season as head coach of the school. The Broncos played their home games at University Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They finished the season 18–15, 8–8 in MAC play and lost in the semifinals of the 2010 MAC men's basketball tournament.
The 2011 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, the 15th edition of the game, was a post-season American college football bowl game that was held on December 27, 2011 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan as part of the 2011–12 NCAA bowl season.
The 2013 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by first-year head coach P. J. Fleck and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). In 2013, the Broncos finished at 1–11, and last place in the MAC West division.
The 2013–14 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) during the 2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Broncos were Mid-American Conference (MAC) overall and West Division co-champions with Toledo, received the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament and defeated Toledo in the conference finals to receive the MAC's automatic berth into the 2014 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. WMU is led by 11th year head coach Steve Hawkins and play their home games at University Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The 2014 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by second-year head coach P. J. Fleck and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). They finished the season 8–5, 6–2 in MAC play to finish in third place in the West Division. They were invited to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl where they lost to Air Force.
The 2015 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by third-year head coach P. J. Fleck and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
Corey Damon Davis is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played college football for the Western Michigan Broncos, where he became the NCAA Division I FBS leader in career receiving yards. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans fifth overall in the 2017 NFL draft, where he played for four seasons before signing with the New York Jets.
The Western Michigan Broncos football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Western Michigan Broncos football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Broncos represent Western Michigan University in the NCAA's Mid-American Conference.
Zachary Steven Terrell is an American professional football quarterback. He played college football for the Western Michigan Broncos where he won the William V. Campbell Trophy his senior year. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent after the 2017 NFL draft.
The 2017 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by first-year head coach Tim Lester and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. The Broncos finished the season 6–6, 4–4 to finish in fourth place in the West Division. Despite being bowl eligible, the Broncos did not receive an invite to a bowl game.
The 2017 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Rod Carey, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 8–5 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, tying for second place in the MAC's West Division. Northern Illinois received an invitation to the Quick Lane Bowl, their 11th bowl game in the 14 seasons. There they lost to Duke, 36–14. The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.
The 2018 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Tim Lester and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 7–6, 5–3 in MAC play to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the West Division. They were invited to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl where they lost to BYU.
The 2022 Ohio Bobcats football team represented Ohio University as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Tim Albin and played their home games at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio. They finished the season 10–4 and 7–1 in the MAC and won the MAC East for the first time since 2016. They lost to Toledo in the MAC Championship Game. Ohio defeated Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl
The 2023 Ohio Bobcats football team represented Ohio University as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by third-year head coach Tim Albin and played their home games at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio. The Bobcats drew an average home attendance of 19,005 in 2023.
The 2024 Bowling Green Falcons football team represented Bowling Green State University in the Mid-American Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Falcons wereled by Scot Loeffler in his sixth year as the head coach. The Falcons played home games at Doyt Perry Stadium, located in Bowling Green, Ohio.