2025 Western Michigan Broncos football team

Last updated

2025 Western Michigan Broncos football
Western Michigan Broncos (2021) logo.svg
Conference Mid-American Conference
Record1–3 (1–0 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Walt Bell (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorChris O'Leary (1st season)
Home stadium Waldo Stadium
Seasons
←  2024
2026 →
2025 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Buffalo  1 –0   2 –2  
Western Michigan  1 –0   1 –3  
Bowling Green  0 –0   2 –2  
Central Michigan  0 –0   2 –2  
Ohio  0 –0   2 –2  
Northern Illinois  0 –0   1 –2  
Akron*  0 –0   1 –3  
Ball State  0 –0   1 –3  
Eastern Michigan  0 –0   1 –3  
Miami (OH)  0 –0   0 –3  
UMass  0 –0   0 –3  
Toledo  0 –1   2 –2  
Kent State  0 –1   1 –3  
Championship: December 6, 2025
  • * Ineligible for postseason play due to low APR score
As of September 25, 2025

The 2025 Western Michigan Broncos football team represents Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos are led by Lance Taylor in his third-year as the head coach and the Broncos play their home games at Waldo Stadium, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. [1]

Contents

Preseason

The MAC Football Kickoff was held on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at the Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan from 9:00 am EDT to 1:30 pm EDT. [2]

Preseason polls

Coaches Poll

On July 24 the MAC announced the preseason coaches' poll. [3]

MAC Coaches poll
Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1Toledo135 (7)
2Miami131 (3)
3Ohio123 (3)
4Buffalo115
5Northern Illinois94
6Bowling Green81
7Western Michigan71
8Eastern Michigan68
9Central Michigan65
10Ball State41
T11Akron39
T11Massachusetts39
13Kent State12
Coaches poll (MAC Championship)
Predicted finishTeamVotes
1Toledo6
2Miami4
3Ohio3

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 297:00 p.m.at Michigan State *
 FS1 L 6–2371,657
September 63:30 p.m. North Texas *
 ESPN+ L 30–33 OT20,051
September 137:00 p.m.at No. 9 Illinois *
FS1L 0–3860,670
September 203:30 p.m. Toledo
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
ESPN+W 14–1320,744
September 276:30 p.m.No. 6 (FCS) Rhode Island *
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
ESPN+
October 42:30 p.m.at UMass
ESPN+
October 11 Ball State
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
October 25at Miami (OH)
November 1 Central Michigan
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI (rivalry, Michigan MAC Trophy)
November 117:30 p.m. Ohio
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
ESPN2/ESPNU
November 187:00 p.m.at Northern Illinois
ESPN2/ESPNU/CBSSN
November 29at Eastern Michigan

[4]

Game summaries

at Michigan State

Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) at Michigan State Spartans (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos00066
Spartans7142023

at Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan

  • Date: August 29
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), Wind: 5 mph S, Sunny
  • Game attendance: 71,657
  • Referee: Jason Nickleby
  • TV announcers (FS1): Dan Hellie (play-by-play) and Petros Papadakis (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • MSU – Brandon Tullis 12-yard run (Blake Sislo kick), 5:30. Spartans 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 5:42.
Second quarter
  • MSU – Nick Marsh 7-yard pass from Aidan Chiles (Blake Sislo kick), 10:43. Spartans 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:59.
  • MSU – Makhi Frazier 9-yard run (Blake Sislo kick), 1:58. Spartans 21–0. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards, 2:25.
Third quarter
  • MSU – Team safety, 8:01. Spartans 23–0.
Fourth quarter
  • WMU – Tate Hallock 32-yard interception return (pass failed), 2:51. Spartans 23–6. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 0:23.
StatisticsWMUMSU
First downs1020
Plays–yards57–21765–341
Rushes–yards24–2941–186
Passing yards188155
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16–33–117–24–1
Time of possession23:1336:47
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western MichiganPassingBrady Jones11/23, 97 yards, INT
RushingJalen Buckley9 carries, 21 yards
ReceivingBaylin Brooks3 receptions, 85 yards
Michigan StatePassing Aidan Chiles 17/23, 155 yards, TD
RushingMakhi Frazier14 carries, 103 yards, TD
ReceivingOmari Kelly7 receptions, 75 yards

vs North Texas

North Texas Mean Green (1–0) at Western Michigan Broncos (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Mean Green071010633
Broncos01773330

at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, Michigan

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 3:30 PM EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 63 °F (17 °C) • Wind: E at 15 miles per hour (24 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 20,051
  • Referee: Rick Warne
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Evan Stockton (play-by-play) and Marcus Ray (analyst)
Game information
First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter
  • WMU – Broc Lowry 25-yard run (Palmer Domschke kick), 13:33. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:34.
  • UNT – Kiefer Sibley 10-yard run (Kali Nguma kick), 10:48. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 2:45.
  • WMU – Jalen Buckley 17-yard pass from Broc Lowry (Palmer Domschke kick), 8:08. Broncos 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 2:40.
  • WMU – Palmer Domschke 40-yard field goal, 0:00. Broncos 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 30 yards, 2:54.
Third quarter
  • UNT – Kali Nguma 22-yard field goal, 10:37. Broncos 17–10. Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards, 4:18.
  • WMU – Broc Lowry 8-yard run (Palmer Domschke kick), 6:33. Broncos 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 3:54.
  • UNT – Tre Williams III 18-yard pass from Drew Mestemaker (Kali Nguma kick), 4:40. Broncos 24–17. Drive: 4 plays, 67 yards, 1:48.
Fourth quarter
  • WMU – Palmer Domschke 43-yard field goal, 14:13. Broncos 27–17. Drive: 9 plays, 36 yards, 5:19.
  • UNT – Cameron Dorner 4-yard pass from Drew Mestemaker (Kali Nguma kick), 10:03. Broncos 27–24. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:10.
  • UNT – Kali Nguma 25-yard field goal, 1:34. Tied 27–27. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 1:40.
Overtime
  • WMU – Palmer Domschke 48-yard field goal. Broncos 30–27. Drive: 4 plays, -5 yards.
  • UNT – Makenzie McGill II 3-yard run. Mean Green 33–30. Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards.
StatisticsUNTWMU
First downs2518
Plays–yards71-40663-303
Rushes–yards30-18257-216
Passing yards22487
Passing: comp–att–int18-33-07-14-0
Turnovers00
Time of possession23:2236:38
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North TexasPassingDrew Mestemaker18/33, 224 yards, 2 TD
RushingMakenzie McGill II16 carries, 102 yards, TD
ReceivingWyatt Young4 receptions, 59 yards
Western MichiganPassingBroc Lowry5/10, 75 yards, TD
RushingJalen Buckley30 carries, 112 yards, TD
ReceivingJalen Buckley2 receptions, 51 yards

at No. 9 Illinois

Western Michigan Broncos (0–2) at No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini (2–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos----0
No. 9 Fighting Illini----0

at Gies Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 6:00 PM CDT
  • TV announcers (FS1): Noah Reed (play-by-play) and Robert Smith (analyst)
StatisticsWMUILL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Toledo

Toledo Rockets (2–1) at Western Michigan Broncos (0–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rockets----0
Broncos----0

at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, Michigan

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Ted Emrich (play-by-play) and Marcus Ray (analyst)
StatisticsTOLWMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ToledoPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 6 (FCS) Rhode Island

No. 6 (FCS) Rhode Island Rams (4–0) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (1–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 6 (FCS) Rams----0
Broncos----0

at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, Michigan

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 6:30 PM EDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jack Kizer (play-by-play) and Forrest Conoly (analyst)
StatisticsURIWMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Rhode IslandPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at UMass

Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) vs. UMass Minutemen (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos----0
Minutemen----0

at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium • Hadley, Massachusetts

  • Date: October 4
StatisticsWMUMASS
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving
UMassPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Ball State

Ball State Cardinals (0–0) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Cardinals----0
Broncos----0

at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, Michigan

  • Date: October 11
StatisticsBALLWMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ball StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Miami (OH)

Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) vs. Miami RedHawks (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos----0
RedHawks----0

at Yager Stadium • Oxford, Ohio

  • Date: October 25
StatisticsWMUM-OH
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Miami (OH)Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Central Michigan (rivalry)

Central Michigan Chippewas (0–0) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chippewas----0
Broncos----0

at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, Michigan

  • Date: November 1
StatisticsCMUWMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Ohio

Ohio Bobcats (0–0) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bobcats----0
Broncos----0

at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, Michigan

  • Date: November 11
  • Game time: 7:30 PM EST
StatisticsOHIOWMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
OhioPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Northern Illinois

Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) vs. Northern Illinois Huskies (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos----0
Huskies----0

at Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, Illinois

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 6:00 PM CST
StatisticsWMUNIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Eastern Michigan (Michigan MAC Trophy)

Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos----0
Eagles----0

at Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, Michigan

  • Date: November 25
StatisticsWMUEMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Eastern MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. ↑ "2024 Football Coaching Staff". Western Michigan University Athletics. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  2. ↑ "2025 Division I FBS Media Days". www.sportswriters.net. FWAA. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Toledo Selected as Favorite in Head Coaches Preseason Football Poll". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  4. ↑ "2025 Western Michigan Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
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