#6 Asantay Brown - Sr. 57 Tackles 5.0 TFL 2.0 Sacks 2 PBU 2 FF

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1 WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCO FOOTBALL 2016: MAC CHAMPION - GROUP OF 5 CHAMPION - GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL CLASSIC 2017 WMU SCHEDULE at #4 USC Sept. 2 L, PAC 12 Network at Michigan State Sept. 9 L, Big Ten Network vs. Idaho Sept. 16 W, ESPN3 vs. Wagner Sept. 23 W, ESPN3 vs. Ball State* Sept. 30 W, 55-3 ESPN3 at Buffalo* Oct. 7 W, (7 OT) ESPN3 vs. Akron* Oct. 14 L, CBSSN at Eastern Michigan* Oct PM ESPN3 vs. Central Michigan* Nov. 1 8 PM ESPN2 vs. Kent State* Nov. 8 7/7:30/8 PM ESPN2/ESPNU/CBSSN at Northern Illinois* Nov. 15 7/8 PM ESPN2/ESPNU/CBSSN at Toledo* Nov. 24 TBA TBA MAC Championship Dec. 2 TBA ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 MEDIA RELATIONS Kristin Keirns, Assistant AD // FB Contact (c) kristin.keirns@wmich.edu Adam Bodnar, Associate Director (c) adam.e.bodnar@wmich.edu Nathan Palcowski, Assistant Director (c) nathan.a.palcowski@wmich.edu Aimee Luurtsema, Graduate Assistant aimee.luurtsema@wmich.edu Matt Cooper, Intern matthew.cooper@wmich.edu #LETSRIDE #WEWILLREIGN Western Michigan Broncos (4-3, 2-1 MAC) at Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-4, 0-2 MAC) Rynearson Stadium (30,200) Ypsilanti, Mich. 2 PM ET ESPN FM ALL-TIME SERIES: WMU LEADS, Western Michigan Broncos 2016 Record: 13-1 / 8-0 MAC 2016 Final Ranking: AP #15 MAC Champions Goodyear Cotton Bowl wmubroncos.com 2017 Stat Comparison 38.6 Points/Game Points Allowed/Game Rush Yards/Game Rush Yards Allowed/Game Pass Yards/Game Pass Yards Allowed/Game Total Offense/Game Total Defense/Game Turnover Margin - 2 Coaching Facts Head Coach: Tim Lester (Western Michigan, 2000) Record at Western Michigan: 4-3, 2-1 MAC (1st Season) Overall record: (7th Season) #31 Jarvion Franklin - Sr (Att-Yds) 4.4 YPC 6 TD #16 Jon Wassink - RSo ,221 (C-A-Y) 13 TD 4 INT #7 D Wayne Eskridge - So (Rec-Yds) YPC 3 TD #6 Asantay Brown - Sr. 57 Tackles 5.0 TFL 2.0 Sacks 2 PBU 2 FF Western Michigan went 2-2 in non-conference play with its two losses at #4 USC and Michigan State and began MAC play with a 2-0 record. The Broncos totaled 126 points over their first two conference games (most over a two-game span in FBS this season), defeating Ball State 55-3 and winning a wild 7-overtime game at Buffalo The Broncos fell to Akron on Sunday, Oct. 15, 14-13, for WMU s first MAC loss since Nov. 18, 2015 (at NIU, 27-19), ending a 12-game winning streak against MAC opponents. It also snapped a nine-game home winning streak for the Broncos. Senior KR/PR Darius Phillips has been named a Midseason All-American by Sporting News and CBS Sports. Phillips, has two return touchdowns on kickoffs this year and has averaged 36.8 yards per return. He also averages 13.4 yards per punt return. Of the 26 members who make up the Sporting News midseason list, Phillips is the only player from a Group of 5 school, as the rest of the positions were filled out by the Power 5 and Notre Dame. Jarvion Franklin currently has 51 overall career touchdowns, two shy of breaking last year s No. 5 overall NFL draft pick Corey Davis school record (52) for overall career TDs. Franklin has put together back-to-back 100-yard rushing yard games (18 career) and has become just the third Bronco to reach 4,000 career yards. Franklin has 4,177 career yards, 43 away from breaking Robert Sanford s school record of 4,219. Sanford was teammates with WMU head coach Tim Lester. Leaders Stats RUSHING PASSING RECEIVING DEFENSE STORYLINES Eastern Michigan Eagles 2016 Record: 7-6, 4-4 MAC (4th East) 2016 Final Ranking: NR emueagles.com Coaching Facts Head Coach: Chris Creighton Record at EMU: 12-31, 5-21 MAC (4th Season) Overall record: (21st Season) #25 Ian Ericksen - Jr (Att-Yds) 4.4 YPC 4 TDs #4 Brogan Roback - Sr ,509 (C-A-Y) 9 TD 7 INT #2 Sergio Bailey - Sr (Rec-Yds) 14.0 YPC 4 TD #10 Vince Calhoun - So. 47 Tackles 25 Solo 3 PBU WMU and Akron s game scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14 was pushed to Sunday, Oct. 15. Lightning and heavy flooding caused the postponement. WMU pumped over 1 million gallons of water out of Waldo Stadium over the early morning hours Sunday. Tim Lester is in his first season as head coach at WMU and is one of 21 FBS coaches leading their alma mater. Lester was an All-MAC quarterback for the Broncos, playing from He was the 1996 MAC Freshman of the Year and led WMU to the 1999 MAC Championship game. Lester threw for 11,299 yards and 87 career TDs. This will be his 71st game as a head coach, also coaching at the Division II and III levels. Lester was an assistant coach at Western Michigan from and most recently was the QB coach at Purdue during the 2016 season. WMU leads the MAC with a +5 turnover margin, which also ranks 31st in the nation. WMU ranks 13th in the nation in fumbles recovered with 7. The Broncos have the best rushing offense in the MAC (20th in the nation), averaging yards per game and the second best scoring offense, averaging 38.6 ppg - which ranks 19th in the nation. The Broncos also rank second in the conference in pass efficiency (148.2). WMU and Buffalo s combined 139 points set a new FBS record and tied as the longest game ever played, as the fourth FBS game to go into seven overtimes. Senior running back Jarvion Franklin ran the ball in from 12 yards out for his fourth touchdown of the day to seal WMU s win. For the second straight game, Western Michigan had six players score touchdowns. WMUFootball 1

2 DEPTH CHART Offense Player Notables QB 16 Jon Wassink RSo. Made first career start at USC. Has 4 rushing TDs, 12 passing, 2 receiving on season. 6 Reece Goddard Fr. True freshman, as a senior threw for 2,612 yards and 24 touchdowns; 3-star prospect RB 5 LeVante Bellamy RSo. One of team s fastest players; rushed for 102 yds on 9 carries at USC; tore ACL at Illinois in 2016 or 32 Jamauri Bogan RJr. Has 2,436 career rushing yards and 26 TDs; 2015 MAC Freshman of the Year or 31 Jarvion Franklin Sr. WMU career-leader 47 rushing TDs; nd team All-MAC; 2014 MAC Offensive POTY WR (X) 15 Giovanni Ricci RSo. Made 7 catches for career-high 66 yards and had a 2-pt. conversion rush vs. Idaho 3 Anton Curtis RSo. Played in four games last season; made 1st career catches with 3 at USC WR (H) 13 Keishawn Watson RSo. Has 5 receiving TDs and 2 passing TDs on the season 23 Ra Sean Davie RFr. Has yet to make first career catch, made appearances vs. USC, Wagner & Ball State WR (Z) 7 D Wayne Eskridge So. Fastest played on team (4.48, 40), has three TD receptions this season 83 Luke Sanders Fr. True freshman; Rated as three-star prospect by 247sports.com and Rivals.com. TE 85 Donnie Ernsberger Sr. Strength is as an in-line blocker, named to All-MAC Third Team in Odell Miller RJr. Played in all 14 games in 2016 LT 77 Chukwuma Okorafor Sr. Named top 5 tackle in country by Mel Kiper in spring of Jaylon Moore RFr. Redshirted in 2016; saw first career action at USC LG 51 Jordan Asbury RFr. Made first career start at LG vs. Ball State 61 Mike Caliendo RFr. Replaced junior Curtis Doyle as starter who was injured at USC C 52 John Keenoy Jr. Named to Rimington Watch List, 2016 All-MAC Second Team 62 Alex Keys RSo. Played in three games in 2016 RG 59 Luke Juriga RSo. Named to 2016 MAC All-Academic Team. 51 Jordan Asbury RFr. Redshirted in 2016; saw first career action at USC RT 75 Zach Novoselsky RJr. Played in six games last season 70 Spencer Kanz RFr. Redshirted in 2016; saw first career action at USC Defense Player Notables LE 58 Antonio Balabani RSo. Recorded 4 tackles at USC, forced a fumble vs. Idaho 98 Kailien Guillory RFr. Made first career appearance vs. Wagner DT 95 Steven Clark Jr. Syracuse transfer - played in 21 games for Orange over 2015 & 2016 seasons 55 Nick Matich RJr. Had first career fumble recovery vs. Wagner DT 5 Andre Turner RSr. Started all 14 games last year, recorded 4.0 TFL 53 Ralph Holley Fr. Recorded two tackles vs. Wagner RE 33 Eric Assoua Jr. Has two TFL and one sack this season 57 Ali Fayad Fr. Has played in all 7 games, made first start vs. Idaho - had a fumble recovery & 1.5 sacks WLB 10 Robert Spillane Sr. Made game winning INT to preserve MAC Championship win vs. Ohio in Drake Spears So. Made 10 tackles as a true freshman last season MLB 8 Caleb Bailey RSr. Recorded 7.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks last season 23 Treshaun Hayward Fr. Enrolled in January and went through spring practice; DNP at USC SAM 6 Asantay Brown Sr. Second Team All MAC in 2016, leads WMU in tackles this season 34 Alex Grace Jr. Forced two fumbles against Ball State CB 4 Darius Phillips Sr. Set MAC single season and career record with 4 INTs for TD last season and 5 for career 12 Emanuel Jackson RFr. Redshirted in 2016; saw first career action at USC FS 21 Stefan Claiborne So. Has two fumble recoveries this season, returned one for 53 yards at Buffalo 30 Malik Rucker RSr. Made first career interception vs. Ball State SS 9 Davontae Ginwright RSo. Moves over to SS from FS after Justin Tranquill injury at Michigan State 18 Brad Tanner So. Played in 12 games last season CB 1 Sam Beal Jr. Made first career interception at USC; Recorded 55 tackles last season 24 Obbie Jackson RSo. Made 4th quarter INT vs. Idaho - 2nd career INT Special Teams Player Notables LS 43 Wyatt Pfeiffer Sr. Long snapper for all 14 games in 2016 K 37 Josh Grant Fr. True freshman, ranked as ninth best kicker in the country by Scout.com P/H 39 Derrick Mitchell Jr. Had 5 of his 17 punts land inside the 20 last season; former minor-league MLB player KR/PR 4 Darius Phillips Sr MAC Special Teams Player of the Year; has two 100-yd KOR for TDs this season WMUFootball

3 NUMERICAL ROSTER No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown (Last School) 1 Sam Beal DB Jr. Grand Rapids, Mich. (Ottawa Hills) 1 Alex Mussat QB RSo. Troy, Mich. (Univ. of Illinois) 2 Rodney Graves WR RFr. Detroit, Mich. (Detroit Cody) 2 Justin Tranquill DB RSo. Huntertown, Ind. (Carroll) 3 Anton Curtis WR RSo. Grosse Pointe, Mich. (East English Village Prep) 3 Derrick Hubbard LB Fr. Ypsilanti, Mich. (Pioneer) 4 Darius Phillips CB Sr. Detroit, Mich. (Robichaud) 4 Chris Riddle QB Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. (University Christian) 5 LeVante Bellamy RB RSo. Indianapolis, Ind. (Pike) 5 Andre Turner DL RSr. Harper Woods, Mich. (Chandler Park Academy) 6 Asantay Brown LB Sr. Muskegon, Mich. (Mona Shores) 6 Reece Goddard QB Fr. Kirkwood, Mo. (Kirkwood) 7 Najee Clayton LB Jr. Paterson, N.J. (Rutgers) 7 D Wayne Eskridge WR So. Bluffton, Ind. (Bluffton) 8 Caleb Bailey LB RSr. Romeoville, Ill. (Romeoville) 8 Tyron Arnett WR Fr. Belle Glade, Fla. (Pahokee) 9 Davontae Ginwright DB RSo. Southfield, Mich. (Southfield) 9 Brendan Tabone QB RFr. Livonia, Mich. (Orchard Lake St. Mary s) 10 Hunter Broersma WR RFr. Mona Shores, Mich. (Mona Shores) 10 Robert Spillane LB Sr. Oak Park, Ill. (Fenwick) 11 Dontre Boyd CB RFr. Detroit, Mich. (Martin Luther King Jr.) 12 Emanuel Jackson DB RFr. Novi, Mich. (Novi) 13 Keishawn Watson WR RSo. Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton Warrenville South) 14 Calin Crawford DB RFr. Canton, Mich. (Salem) 14 Leo Ekwoge RB RJr. Olney, Md. (Good Counsel) 15 Giovanni Ricci WR RSo. Loveland, Ohio (Loveland) 16 Jon Wassink QB RSo. Grand Rapids, Mich. (South Christian) 17 A.J. Thomas DB Fr. Detroit, Mich. (UD Jesuit Prep) 18 Brad Tanner DB So. Romeo, Mich. (Romeo) 20 Drake Spears LB So. Aurora, Ill. (West Aurora) 21 Stefan Claiborne DB So. Clinton Twp., Mich. (Chippewa Valley) 22 Davon Tucker RB RSo. Somerdale, N.J. (Sterling) 23 Ra Sean Davie WR RFr. Indianapolis, Ind. (North Central) 23 Treshaun Hayward LB Fr. Ypsilanti, Mich. (Skyline) 24 Obbie Jackson DB RSo. West Bloomfield, Mich. (West Bloomfield) 25 Prince Walker RB Fr. Naperville, Ill. (Montini Catholic) 26 K.J. Anderson DB Fr. Buford, Ga. (Buford) 27 Dwayne Chapman II LB Fr. West Bloomfield, Mich. (St. Mary s Prep) 28 Matt Falcon RB RFr. Ypsilanti, Mich. (Southfield) 30 Malik Rucker DB RSr. Minneapolis, Minn. (Iowa) 31 Jarvion Franklin RB Sr. Tinley Park, Ill. (Andrew) 32 Jamauri Bogan RB RJr. Union, N.J. (Union) 33 Eric Assoua DL Jr. Silver Spring, Md. (St. John s) 34 Alex Grace LB Jr. Saginaw, Mich. (Swan Valley) 36 DeShawn Foster DL RSo. Detroit, Mich. (Mumford) 37 Josh Grant K Fr. Flower Mound, Texas (Flower Mound) 38 Odell Miller TE RJr. Kalamazoo, Mich. (Gull Lake) 39 Derrick Mitchell P Jr. Paw Paw, Mich. (Paw Paw) 40 Mitch Heimbuch TE RFr. Romeo, Mich. (Romeo) 41 Tanner Motz LB Fr. St. Johns, Mich. (St. Johns) 42 Roy McCree LB Fr. Detroit, Mich. (Detroit Country Day) 43 Wyatt Pfeifer LS Sr. Delaware, Ohio (Buckeye Valley) 46 Brendan Siwajek DE Fr. Macomb, Mich. (Dakota) 47 Keenan Erb K Jr. Vicksburg, Mich. (Vicksburg) 48 Joseph Miller LB RFr. Gaylord, Mich. (Gaylord) 50 Daniel Jackson DL Jr. Romeoville, Ill. (Plainfield East) 51 Jordan Asbury OL RFr. Warren, Mich. (De La Salle) 52 John Keenoy OL Jr. Kentwood, Mich. (East Kentwood) 53 Ralph Holley DT Fr. West Bloomfield, Mich. (St. Mary s Prep) 54 Dezmond Lance DL Fr. Armada, Mich. (Stevenson) 55 Nick Matich DL RJr. Clarkson, Mich. (Clarkson) 56 Corvin Moment LB Fr. Vero Beach, Fla. (Vero Beach) 57 Ali Fayad DE Fr. Dearborn, Mich. (Dearborn) 58 Antonio Balabani DL RSo. Macomb, Mich. (Dakota) 59 Luke Juriga OL RSo. Aurora, Ill. (Marmion Academy) 60 Mark Brooks OL RFr. Portland, Mich. (Portland) 61 Mike Caliendo OL RFr. Brookfield, Wis. (Brookfield East) 62 Alex Keys OL RSo. Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Highlands Ranch) WMUFootball 3

4 63 Daniel Bucholz OL Fr. Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton Warrenville South) 64 Tom O Mara OL Fr. Chicago, Ill. (Marist) 65 Trevor Campbell OL Fr. Naperville, Ill. (Naperville Central) 66 Wesley French OL RSo. Benton Harbor, Mich. (St. Joseph) 67 Curtis Doyle OL RJr. Alma, Mich. (Alma) 68 Jamal Williams DL Jr. Chicago, Ill. (TF North) 69 Jackson Knipper DL Fr. Beavercreek, Ohio (Beavercreek) 70 Spencer Kanz OL RFr. Luxemburg, Wis. (Luxemburg-Casco) 71 Jonathan Todd OL RSo. Mokena, Ill. (Lincoln Way North) 72 Dylan Deatherage OL Fr. Kankakee, Ill. (Bishop McNamara) 73 Mohamed Elazazy OL Fr. Menasha, Wis. (Menasha HS) 75 Zach Novoselsky OL RJr. Lincolnshire, Ill. (Adlai E. Stevenson) 76 Jaylon Moore OL RFr. Detroit, Mich. (Consortium College Prep) 77 Chukwuma Okorafor OL Sr. Southfield, Mich. (Southfield) 78 Elliot Jordan OL RJr. Kentwood, Mich. (East Kentwood) 79 Zenden Dellinger OL Fr. Fort Wayne, Ind. (Snider) 80 Ryan Lezzer WR Fr. Clearfield, Pa. (Clearfield) 81 Jaylen Hall WR Fr. Macomb, Mich. (Dakota) 82 Jaret Curtis WR RFr. Green Bay, Wis. (Ashwaubenon) 83 Luke Sanders WR Fr. Fishers, Ind. (Cathedral) 85 Donnie Ernsberger TE Sr. Battle Creek, Mich. (Lakeview) 86 Harrison Taylor WR Fr. St. Charles, Ill. (Wheaton Academy) 87 Elliot Oldham WR Sr. Detroit, Mich. (UTEP) 88 Lucas Bezerra TE Sr. Troy, Mich. (Troy Athens) 89 Brett Borske TE RFr. Naperville, Ill. (Neuqua Valley) 90 Ken Aguirre DL So. Joliet, Ill. (Joliet Catholic Academy) 91 Ken Finley DL Jr. Muskegon, Mich. (Muskegon) 92 Zack Taylor DL RFr. New Berlin, Wis. (Catholic Memorial) 93 Austin Regan K RJr. New Lenox, Ill. (Providence Catholic) 94 Tanner Mathias DE Fr. Menominee, Mich. (Menominee) 95 Steven Clark DL Jr. Arab. Ala. (Syracuse) 96 Jason Evans K RJr. Oswego, Ill. (Oswego East) 97 Izaak Gerkis P Fr. Birmingham, Mich. (Seaholm) 98 Kailien Guillory DL RFr. Indianapolis, Ind. (Ben Davis) 99 Martin Diaz LS RJr. Miami, Fla. (American Heritage) COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Tim Lester - Western Michigan, 2000 (1st as head coach/3rd overall) Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach: Kevin Johns Dayton, 1998 (1st) Defensive Coordinator: Tim Daoust Wittenberg, 2002 (5th) Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach: Jake Moreland Western Michigan, 2000 (8th) Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach: Lou Esposito Memphis, 2001 (4th) Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Coach: David Duggan New Hampshire, 1986 (2nd) Tight Ends/Offensive Tackles Coach/Recruiting Coordinator: Bill Kenney Norwich, 1981 (5th) Wide Receivers Coach: Ashton Aikens Northwestern, 2005 (1st) Running Backs Coach Eric Evans DePauw, 2003 (1st) Defensive Backs Coach: Cory Sanders Saint Josephs, 2007 (1st) Graduate Assistants: Sean Pearson (2nd), Mike Kaiser (1st), Jordan Belfiori (1st), Billy Vandemerkt (1st) Director of Strength and Conditioning: Grant Geib Ohio Wesleyan, 2009 (1st) Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning: Gavin Roberts Purdue, 2013 (1st) Director of Football Operations: Drew Robinson Syracuse, 2007 (1st) Director of Player Personnel: Kyle Derickson Butler, 2003 (1st) Football Video Coordinator: James Ventresca New Hampshire, 2014 (1st) Football Equipment Manager: Taylor Jorgensen Western Michigan, 2008 (5th) PRONUNCIATIONS Eric Assoua - uh SOO ah Antonio Balabani BAL uh bah nee LeVante Bellamy - luh VON tay BELL uh me Lucas Bezerra buh ZAY ha Jamauri Bogan juh MAR ee Brett Borske - Bore ski Hunter Broersma -- BRORES ma Asantay Brown uh SAHN tay Leo Ekwoge ek WOAJ ee D Wayne Eskridge - DEE Wayne Ali Fayad - Fye ed Jarvion Franklin JAR vee on Davontae Ginwright - JIN rite Reece Goddard - GOD ard Kailien Guillory - Gill OR ree Mitch Heimbuch - Heim-buck Obbie Jackson OH bee Luke Juriga - jur EE gah Spencer Kanz - Cans Nick Matich MATT ich Alex Mussat - moo SAHT Zach Novoselsky no vo SELL skee Chukwuma Okorafor chuke WOO muh oh KOR uh for Wyatt Pfeifer PIE fer Giovanni Ricci - Ree chee Robert Spillane spil AIN Davon Tucker - DAY von Jon Wassink - WAH sink Coaches David Duggan - DUG uhn Lou Esposito - ES po zito ALPHABETICAL ROSTER No. Name Pos. 90 Ken Aguirre DL 26 K.J. Anderson DB 8 Tyron Arnett WR 51 Jordan Asbury OL 33 Eric Assoua DL 8 Caleb Bailey LB 58 Antonio Balabani DL 1 Sam Beal DB 5 LeVante Bellamy RB 88 Lucas Bezerra TE 32 Jamauri Bogan RB 89 Brett Borske TE 11 Dontre Boyd CB 10 Hunter Broersma WR 60 Mark Brooks OL 6 Asantay Brown LB 63 Daniel Bucholz OL 61 Mike Caliendo OL 65 Trevor Campbell OL 27 Dwayne Chapman II LB 21 Stefan Claiborne DB 95 Steven Clark DL 7 Najee Clayton LB 14 Calin Crawford DB 3 Anton Curtis WR 82 Jaret Curtis WR 23 Ra Sean Davie WR 72 Dylan Deatherage OL 79 Zenden Dellinger OL 99 Martin Diaz LS 67 Curtis Doyle OL 14 Leo Ekwoge RB 73 Mohamed Elazazy OL 47 Keenan Erb K 85 Donnie Ernsberger TE 7 D Wayne Eskridge WR 96 Jason Evans K 28 Matt Falcon RB 57 Ali Fayad DE 91 Ken Finley DL 36 DeShawn Foster DL 31 Jarvion Franklin RB 66 Wesley French OL 97 Izaak Gerkis P 9 Davontae Ginwright DB 6 Reece Goddard QB 34 Alex Grace LB 37 Josh Grant K 2 Rodney Graves WR 98 Kailien Guillory DL 81 Jaylen Hall WR 23 Treshaun Hayward LB 40 Mitch Heimbuch TE 53 Ralph Holley DT 3 Derrick Hubbard LB 50 Daniel Jackson DL 12 Emanuel Jackson DB 24 Obbie Jackson DB 78 Elliot Jordan OL 59 Luke Juriga OL 70 Spencer Kanz OL 52 John Keenoy OL 62 Alex Keys OL 69 Jackson Knipper DL 54 Dezmond Lance DL 80 Ryan Lezzer WR 94 Tanner Mathias DE 55 Nick Matich DL 42 Roy McCree LB 48 Joseph Miller LB 38 Odell Miller TE 39 Derrick Mitchell P 56 Corvin Moment LB 76 Jaylon Moore OL 41 Tanner Motz LB 1 Alex Mussat QB 75 Zach Novoselsky OL 77 Chukwuma Okorafor OL 87 Elliot Oldham WR 64 Tom O Mara OL 43 Wyatt Pfeifer LS 4 Darius Phillips CB 93 Austin Regan K 15 Giovanni Ricci WR 4 Chris Riddle QB 30 Malik Rucker DB 83 Luke Sanders WR 46 Brendan Siwajek DE 20 Drake Spears LB 10 Robert Spillane LB 9 Brendan Tabone QB 18 Brad Tanner DB 86 Harrison Taylor WR 92 Zack Taylor DL 17 A.J. Thomas DB 71 Jonathan Todd OL 2 Justin Tranquill DB 22 Davon Tucker RB 5 Andre Turner DL 25 Prince Walker RB 16 Jon Wassink QB 13 Keishawn Watson WR 68 Jamal Williams DL WMUFootball

5 2017 QUICK FACTS 2016 Overall Record: MAC Record: 8-0 (MAC Champion) Bowl Appearance: Lost in Cotton Bowl, to #8 Wisconsin 2016 Final Ranking: #15 AP / #18 Coaches Poll Letterwinners Returning: 24 Letterwinners Lost: 20 Starters Returning: 15 (5 offense, 8 defense, 2 ST) Starters Lost: 10 (6 offense, 3 defense, 1 ST) Western Michigan Coaching Staff Head Coach: Tim Lester, Western Michigan Season: First as head coach (assistant in ) Career Record at WMU: 4-3 Overall Record: (7th season) MAC Record: 2-1 Offensive Coordinator: Kevin Johns, Dayton Season: First Defensive Coordinator: Tim Daoust, Wittenberg Season: Fifth (also at WMU from ) Wide Receivers Coach: Ashton Aikens, Northwestern Season: First Running Backs Coach: Eric Evans, DePauw Season: First Offensive Line Coach: Jake Moreland, Western Michigan Season: Eighth (also at WMU from ) Tight Ends Coach: Bill Kenney, Norwich Season: Fifth Defensive Line Coach: Lou Esposito, Memphis Season: Fourth (also at WMU from ) Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator: David Duggan, New Hampshire Season: Second Defensive Backs Coach Corey Sanders, Saint Joseph s College Season: First Graduate Assistants: Offense: Sean Pearson, Wagner Offense: Billy VandeMerkt, Saint Joseph s Defense: Jordan Belfiori, Central Michigan Defense: Mike Kaiser, Michigan State Western Michigan Support Staff University President Dr. Edward Montgomery Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard Supervising A.D., Football Dennis Corbin Director of Football Operations Drew Robinson Director of Football Player Personnel Kyle Derickson Strength and Conditioning Coach Grant Geib Athletic Trainer Sarah McBrien Equipment Manager Taylor Jorgensen Video Coordinator James Ventresca Sports Information Director Kristin Keirns Western Michigan Football History First varsity season: 1906 All-time record/seasons /112th All-time MAC record/seasons: /70th All-time Waldo Stadium record/seasons /79th MAC Championships 1966, 1988, 2016 MAC West Division Titles 1999, 2000, 2015, 2016 Bowl Appearances 7 Aviation Bowl, 1961 (New Mexico 28, WMU 12) California Bowl, 1988 (Fresno State 35, WMU 30) International Bowl, 2007 (Cincinnati 27, WMU 24) Texas Bowl, 2008 (Rice 38, WMU 14) Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, 2011 (Purdue 37, WMU 32) Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 2014 (Air Force 38, WMU 24) Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, 2016 (WMU 45, Middle Tennessee 31) Cotton Bowl, 2017 (Wisconsin 24, WMU 16) All-Americans 18 Academic All-Americans: 12 NFL Alumni: All-Conference Selections 14 First-Team Corey Davis (WR), Taylor Moton (OL), Chukwuma Okorafor (OL), Darius Phillips (DB) Second-Team Darius Phillips (PR/KR), Keion Adams (DL), Robert Spillane (LB), Asantay Brown (LB), Zach Terrell (QB), Jarvion Franklin (RB), John Keenoy (OL) Third-Team Justin Ferguson (DB), Donnie Ernsberger (TE) 2016 Academic All-Conference Selections 16 Lucas Bezerra, Kasey Carson, Lucas Cherocci, David Curle Alex Grace, Austin Guido, Luke Juriga, John Keenoy, Odell Miller, Derrick Mitchell, Taylor Moton, Zach Novoselsky, Giovanni Ricci, Trevor Sweeney, Zach Terrell and Justin Tranquill 2016 Distinguished Scholar-Athletes 7 Lucas Bezerra, Kasey Carson, John Keenoy, Taylor Moton, Trevor Sweeney, Zach Terrell, Justin Tranquill WMUFootball 5

6 TIM LESTER head coach 1ST SEASON WESTERN MICHIGAN, 2000 Tim Lester was named the 16th head football coach in Western Michigan history on Friday, Jan. 13, Lester has risen through the coaching ranks after completing a Hall of Fame playing career at Western Michigan. Lester was a four-year starter at quarterback at WMU from , leading the Broncos to a Mid-American Conference championship appearance his senior season. Lester also made a stop as an assistant coach at his alma mater during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Lester began his coaching career in 2003 and most recently was the quarterbacks coach at Purdue this past season where he mentored sophomore signal-caller David Blough. Blough threw for 25 touchdowns and 3,352 yards, averaging over 279 yards passing a game in Lester came to the Boilermakers from Syracuse, where he served as quarterbacks coach from 2013 to 2015 and doubled as offensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015 as well. Prior to working at Syracuse, Lester was the head coach at Division III Elmhurst (Illinois) College from 2008 to Over five seasons, he posted a record for a.635 winning percentage, second highest in school history. In his final season in 2012, he led the Blue Jays to a 10-2 record and a CCIW conference championship as well as Elmhurst s first-ever NCAA playoff appearance. It was just the third championship in school history and the first title since Lester was named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Coach of the Year that season. Lester served as an assistant at North Central College (2007) and Elmhurst ( ). He was the head coach at Division II Saint Joseph s College in 2004, leading the Pumas to a five-game improvement his first season from the year prior (2-9 to 7-4 record) on his way to Independent Football Alliance Coach of the Year honors. In addition, Lester coached at the prep level, serving as offensive coordinator at Saint Benedict High School in 2001 and at his alma mater, Wheaton Warrenville South High School in Lester began his playing career at Western Michigan earning MAC Freshman of the Year honors in He would be a Second Team All-MAC selection his junior and senior seasons. Lester finished his WMU career ranked fourth in FBS history in passing yards (11,299) and sixth in touchdown passes (87). Lester set 17 school passing records and eight MAC records. Following his senior season, in which he threw for 3,639 yards and 34 touchdowns, Lester participated in the 1999 Blue-Gray Classic. As an assistant coach at WMU he coached quarterback Tim Hiller to MAC Freshman of the Year accolades in Lester was WMU s first QB to throw for over 11,000 career yards and Hiller went on to become the second. After college, Lester played with the Chicago Enforcers of the XFL in 2001, the Nashville Kats and Carolina Cobras of the Arena Football League in 2001, and the Memphis Xplorers of the Arena Football League 2 in A native of Wheaton, Ill., Lester earned his bachelor s degree in mathematics from Western Michigan in He was inducted into the Western Michigan Athletic Hall of Fame in Tim is married to wife, Dawn, and has four sons - Quinn, who will be a freshman men s volleyball player at Ball State in , as well as three grade-school age sons - Cooper, Carter and Camden. Coaching History Elmhurst Offensive Coordinator 2004 Saint Joseph s College Head Coach Western Michigan QB Coach 2007 North Central College Defensive Coord Elmhurst College Head Coach/Offensive Coord Syracuse Offensive Coord./QB Coach 2016 Purdue QB Coach Western Michigan Head Coach Year by Year Record 2004 Saint Joseph s Elmhurst Elmhurst Elmhurst Elmhurst Elmhurst Western Michigan 4-3 Total WMU CAREER NOTABLES (current program rank) Career Passing yds 11,299 (3rd) 1999 threw for 3,639 (3rd) 435 yds against BGSU in 98 (7th) 432 yds against EMU in 98 (8th) Career pass attempts 1,507 (2nd) 470 pass attempts in 1999 (4th) Career completions 875 (3rd) 282 completions in 1999 (5th).581 career completion % (8th) Career TD Passes 87 (3rd) 34 TD Passes in 1999 (2nd) Career offensive plays 1,747 (2nd) ACCOLADES WMU Hall of Fame selectee 2011 Academic All-District 1998 & 1999 Academic All-MAC 1997, 98, 99 All-MAC 2nd Team 1998 & 1999 MAC Freshman of theyear 1996 Blue-Gray All-Star Game WMUFootball

7 COACHING STAFF TIM LESTER HEAD COACH FIELD KEVIN JOHNS OFFENSIVE COOR. / QB BOX TIM DAOUST DEFENSIVE COOR. BOX JAKE MORELAND OFFENSIVE LINE FIELD LOU ESPOSITO DEFENSIVE LINE FIELD ERIC EVANS RUNNING BACKS FIELD ASHTON AIKENS WIDE RECEIVERS FIELD BILL KENNEY TIGHT ENDS BOX DAVID DUGGAN LINEBACKERS FIELD CORY SANDERS DEFENSIVE BACKS FIELD WMUFootball 7

8 8 PRESEASON WATCH LISTS PHIL STEELE 1ST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN Sr. DB/KR Darius Phillips DOAK WALKER Sr. RB Jarvion Franklin RJr. RB Jamauri Bogan PAUL HORNUNG AWARD Sr. DB/KR Darius Phillips OUTLAND TROPHY Sr. OL Chukwuma Okorafor Jr. OL John Keenoy RIMINGTON TROPHY Jr. OL John Keenoy MACKEY AWARD Sr. TE Donnie Ernsberger WUERFFEL TROPHY RJr. RB Jamauri Bogan REESE S SENIOR BOWL Sr. LB Asantay Brown Sr. RB Jarvion Franklin Sr. OL Chukwuma Okorafor Sr. DB/KR Darius Phillips MEL KIPER - Top 5 Tackle in the Country Sr. OL Chukwuma Okorafor 2017 AWARDS SPORTING NEWS MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICAN Sr. DB/KR Darius Phillips - Oct. 16 CBS SPORTS MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICAN Sr. DB/KR Darius Phillips - Oct. 18 MAC WEST SPECIAL TEAMS POTW Sr. DB/KR Darius Phillips - Sept. 4 Sr. DB/KR Darius Phillips - Sept. 11 MAC WEST OFFENSIVE POTW Sr. RB Jarvion Franklin - Oct. 9 PAUL HORNUNG WEEKLY HONOR ROLL Sr. DB/KR Darius Phillips - Sept. 11 BLEACHER REPORT NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK Sr. DB/KR Darius Phillips - Sept. 11 PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK - DEFENSE Sr. DB/KR Darius Phillips - Sept. 12 MAC SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK RSo. QB Jon Wassink - Sept. 8 RSo. QB Jon Wassink - Oct. 11 DAVEY O BRIEN GREAT 8 PERFORMANCE RSo. QB Jon Wassink - Oct. 9 JOE MOORE AWARD MID-SEASON HONOR ROLL WMU Offensive Line - Oct. 9 (1 of 21 nationally) MICHIGAN MAC TROPHY The Michigan MAC Trophy between WMU, Eastern Michiagn and Central Michigan is given to the program which has the best series record between the three directional schools. In the event of a tie the Michigan MAC Trophy remains with the previous holder until one of the other rivals claims the title. Each of the three schools have claimed the trophy four times. WMU won it in its inaugural year in 2005 and regained and retained possession of the trophy since WMU: 2005, 2014, 2015, 2016 EMU: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012 CMU: 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013 AMONG NCAA LEADERS WMU is among the nation s leaders in several statistical categories. 13th - Fumbles Recovered (7) 17th - Defensive TDs (2) 19th - Scoring Offense (42.8) 20th - Rushing Offense (237.8) 21st - Turnovers Gained (12) 26th - Completion Percentage (.644) 31st - Turnover Margin (.71) RSo. QB Jon Wassink - 28th for points responsible for (108). Sr. KR Darius Phillips - 1st kickoff return TDs (2), 3rd kickoff return average (35.8) WMU SPECIAL TEAM EFFICIENCY RANKED 3RD IN THE NATION According to ESPN.com Western Michigan is currently ranked No. 5 in the nation in Special Teams Efficiency after being ranked No. 1 last week. The Broncos have scored three special teams TDs this season and are 12th in the nation with 503 total kickoff return yards. 1. South Alabama Penn State TCU Kentucky Western Michigan Virginia Tech Kansas State Arkansas State Baylor Boise State TRIPLE GROUND THREAT WMU s strength on offense is its running game, returning senior Jarvion Franklin (career: 4,177 yds., 47 TDs), redshirt junior Jamauri Bogan (career: 2,436 yds., 26 TDs) and redshirt sophomore LeVante Bellamy (career: 1,020 yds., 6 TDs). Franklin and Bogan were both MAC Freshman of the Year recipients. Bellamy is one of the fastest players on the team and returns this season after suffering an ACL in week 2 last year at Illinois. Franklin (3), Bogan (1) and Bellamy (2) have each had a 100-yard rushing games this season. WMU is the only MAC team with three running backs to record 100 yard games this season. WMU has had two of the three go for over 100 yards in the same game twice this season. All three rank in the top 10 in the MAC for rushing yards. FRANKLIN NEARS COREY DAVIS FOR WMU ALL-TIME TD MARK Jarvion Franklin has 47 rushing and four receiving TDs for 51 overall career TDs, two shy of breaking Corey Davis school record of 52 career TDs WMU Hall of Fame RB Robert Sanford is third with 43 career TDs, followed by NFL Super Bowl champion Greg Jennings with 41. FRANKLIN AMONG FBS ACTIVE LEADERS WMU senior running back Jarvion Franklin is among the current active FBS leaders for career rushing yards and career rushing touchdowns. Name Career Yds. Years 1. Royce Freeman 4, Oregon 2. Justin Jackson 4, Northwestern 3. Jarvion Franklin 4, Western Michigan Name Rushing TDs Years 1. Royce Freeman Oregon 2. Jarvion Franklin Western Michigan 3. Jordan Chunn Troy FRANKLIN CLOSING IN ON CAREER RUSHING RECORD Jarvion Franklin became just the third player in Western Michigan history to go over 4,000 rushing yards in his career and the sixth ever to go over 3,000 yards. Below are the top running backs in WMU history. WMU Career Rushing Yards 1. 4,219 Robert Sanford, ,190 Jerome Persell, ,177 Jarvion Franklin, 2014-pres. 4. 3,671 Brandon West, ,341 Shawn Faulkner, ,045 Jim Vackaro, I LL TAKE THAT Western Michigan has at least one interception in five of seven games this season - six total, made by five different players (Darius Phillips - 2, Sam Beal - 1, Obbie Jackson - 1 and Malik Rucker - 1, Asantay Brown - 1). The Broncos have also have seven fumble recoveries this season, ranking 13th most in the nation. QUICK START(S) VS. BALL STATE WMU scored a touchdown less than 30 seconds in at both the start of the game and the beginning of the second half vs. Ball State on Sept. 30. RSo. Obbie Jackson grabbed a loose fumble out of the air and returned it 21 yards for a TD on the opening kickoff - just 10 seconds off the game clock. The Broncos then scored 28 seconds into the opening drive of the second half, a 22-yard pass from QB Jon Wassink to TE Donnie Ernsberger. BRONCO STREAKS SNAPPED BY AKRON Western Michigan s loss to Akron on Sunday, Oct. 15 was its first since Nov. 18, 2015 at Northern Illinois (27-19). Including last year s MAC Championship victory over Ohio, WMU had won 12 games against conference opponents prior to the loss. The loss to the Zips also broke a ninegame unbeaten streak at Waldo Stadium. WMUFootball

9 PHILLIPS NAMED MAC SPECIAL TEAM POTW BACK-TO-BACK WEEKS The Mid-American Conference named Western Michigan senior Darius Phillips its Special Teams Player of the Week for week one and week two of the season. Phillips recorded his third career 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and his fourth kickoff return for a touchdown overall in his career at #4 USC in a road loss. He finished with four kickoff returns for 168 total yards (42.0 avg.) and the 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Moments after the Trojans pulled ahead for the first time since their opening drive, taking a lead in the fourth quarter, Phillips stunned the Los Angeles Coliseum faithful with his 100-yard return to tie the score at with 7:54 left in the game. Phillips also had a 20-yard interception in the contest (10th career), and finished with 188 all-purpose yards. Phillips had a 100-yard kickoff return in a loss at Michigan State on Sept. 9. He totaled four kickoff returns for 181 yards and the 100-yard return for a touchdown. It was the second straight week Phillips has taken a 100-yard return to the house, also doing so in the season-opener at No. 4 USC on Sept. 2. Phillips now has four 100-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns and five overall kickoff returns for touchdowns. It was the second time with a 100-yard return against Michigan State in his career, his first was in In addition to the 100-yarder, Phillips also had returns of 52, 18 and 11 yards. Phillips accounted for both Western Michigan scores against Michigan State, also forcing a fumble and then recovering the ball for a 67-yard touchdown. On top of the two scores, he added an interception and tied a career-high with three pass breakups. MR. VERSATILITY Senior KR/DB Darius Phillips has 13 career TDs - scored five different ways. He has five TDs off kickoff returns, four off of interceptions, one punt return, one off of a fumble return and two receiving from his freshman year as a wide receiver. Phillips 11 non-offensive TDs is the most by a player in the FBS since YARD RETURNS NOT NEW TO PHILLIPS Senior KR/DB Darius Phillips has four 100- yard kickoff returns in his career, one in each of the last three seasons and two of which were against top 5-ranked teams. All four returns were in the month of September and two were in season-openers. Sept. 5, 2015 vs. #5 Michigan State Sept. 24, 2016 vs. Georgia Southern Sept. 2, 2017 at #4 USC Sept. 9, 2017 at Michigan State PHILLIPS ACTIVE KOR LEADER Senior Darius Phillips is the FBS active leader for career kickoff return yards with 2,939. He ranks 12th all-time. Former Bronco Brandon West is sixth all-time on the list with 3,118 career kickoff return yards ( ). WMU is the only program with two players in the all-time top 15. Phillips five career kickoff returns for a touchdown are tied for ninth most in FBS history. WASSINK S PERFORMANCE AT BUFFALO NOTED WMU QB Jon Wassink earned a Davey O Brien Great 8 Performance for Week 6. Wassink accounted for six touchdowns (five passing, one receiving) and 295 total yards (256 passing, 26 rushing, 13 receiving) in a seven-overtime win over Buffalo. WASSINK S TIME TO LEAD RSo. QB Jon Wassink made his first career appearance and start on Sept. 2 at #4 USC. Wassink follows Zach Terrell who was the 2016 Campbell Trophy winner and finished his career with a school-record 12,104 yards passing, 96 TDs and a.655 completion rate. Wassink has eight passing TDs this season, three rushing and two receiving. In the three MAC games, Wassink has averaged 232 yards passing, and leads the MAC with a pass efficiency. Against Wagner, Wassink connected on his first nine passes and and ended the game 11-for-12. DEFENSE S 13 TFL MOST SINCE 2003 WMU s 13 TFL vs. Wagner were the most for the Broncos in a game since Eleven different Broncos recorded a TFL, totaling 45 yards. GOING BOWLING The Broncos have made bowl appearances in three-straight seasons: Idaho Potato Bowl (2014), Popeye s Bahamas Bowl (2015), Goodyear Cotton Bowl (2016). WMU S BACKFIELD RANKED #7 IN NATION IN 2017 Bleacher Report ranked Western Michigan s backfield #7 in the nation this past preseason. 1. Georgia 2. Alabama 3. Oregon 4. Penn State 5. Auburn 6. USC 7. Western Michigan 8. Washington 9. LSU 10. Northwestern THUNDER & LIGHTNING Western Michigan s running game has stood out amongst the entire country the last three seasons. In 2014 Jarvion Franklin took the country by storm with 1,550+ yards and 24 touchdowns en route to earning the MAC Offensive Player of the Year Award and Freshman All-American. His 24 TDs are the third most in a single season in the MAC. In 2015, Jamauri Bogan made his way into the record book, splitting carries with Franklin and racked up over 1,000 yards and 16 TDs himself. He began the 2016 season with another 100+ yard game at Northwestern, finishing with 103 yards on 22 carries. In the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, Bogan ran for 216 yards and four TDs as he was named the Offensive MVP of the game. Franklin and Bogan s performance marked the first time since that the Broncos have seen 1,000 yard rushers in back-to-back seasons. Below are some of the rushing records Franklin and Bogan have set at Western Michigan. Single Season Rushing TDs Jarvion Franklin, Jerome Persell, Robert Sanford, Jamauri Bogan, 2015 Career Rushing TDs Jarvion Franklin, 2014-current Jerome Persell Robert Sanford, Jamauri Bogan, 2015-current Brandon West, Larry Cates, Jim Vackaro, Albert Little, Roger Lawson, Phillip Reed, MITCHELL OLDEST PLAYED IN FBS, PLAYED 10 SEASONS IN MLB MINORS Junior punter, holder, kickoff specialist Derrick Mitchell (30 y.o. - DOB: 1/5/87) is the oldest active FBS player. Mitchell was drafted by the Philadelpia Phillies out of high school (2005, 23rd rd.) and played 10 seasons in the minors, advancing to AAA. An outfielder, Mitchell played 823 games and had a career.240 batting average with 88 home runs and 365 RBIs. Mitchell was married to wife, Heather, in August WMU NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE RANKS 10 IN GROUP OF 5 According to cbssports.com, Western Michigan has the 10th hardest non-conference schedule among the Group of 5 teams in UL-Monroe AT Florida State, AT Auburn, AT Memphis, Southern Miss 2. Fresno State AT Washington, AT Alabama, BYU, Incarnate Word 3. San Jose State AT Texas, AT BYU, AT Utah, South Florida, Cal Poly 4. Kent State AT Clemson, AT Louisville, AT Marshall, Howard 5. Tulsa AT Oklahoma State, AT Toledo, New Mexico, UL-Lafayette 6. Rice AT Houston, AT Pittsburgh, Stanford, Army 7. Nevada AT Northwestern, AT Washing ton State, Toledo, Idaho State 8. UNLV AT Ohio St, AT Idaho, BYU, Howard 9. Toledo AT Miami, AT Nevada, Tulsa, Elon 10. Western Michigan AT USC, AT Michigan State, Idaho, Wagner WMUFootball 9

10 BRONCOS DON T BACK DOWN NOTES FROM THE BUFFALO GAME Western Michigan s 71 points tied for seventh most in a single game in MAC history. Buffalo s 68 points marked the most points scored by a losing team in a single game in MAC history. The 139 combined points were the most ever in a single game in MAC history. The 1,328 combined yards of total offense (WMU-645; UB-683) marked the third most in a single game in MAC history. It was WMU s first game with 600 yards of total offense this season. The 10 touchdowns by Western Michigan is tied for third most in a single game in MAC history. The 19 combined touchdowns by both teams is the most in a single game in MAC history. WMU s 126 points over the first two MAC games (55 vs. Ball State, 71 vs. Buffalo) is the highest point total over two games in the history of the MAC. The 7 OTs were the most in a single game in MAC history & tied the most in FBS history: 7 Western Michigan (71) at Buffalo (68), Oct. 7, 2017; Arkansas (58) vs. Ole Miss (56), Nov. 3, 2001; Arkansas (71) vs. Kentucky (63), Nov. 1, 2003; North Texas (25) vs. FIU (22), Oct. 7, MAC PRESEASON POLL COACHES POLL Team (First Place Votes) Points MAC East Division 1. Ohio ( Miami (3) Bowling Green Akron Buffalo Kent State 16 MAC West Division 1. Toledo (7) Western Michigan (2) Northern Illinois (1) Eastern Michigan Central Michigan (1) Ball State (1) 17 MEDIA POLL MAC East Division 1. Ohio (11) Miami (12) Bowling Green (1) Akron Buffalo Kent State 36 MAC West Division 1. Toledo (22) Western Michigan (1) Northern Illinois (1) Eastern Michigan Central Michigan Ball State 30 MAC Championship Game Winner: Toledo (21); Western Michigan (1); Bowling Green (1); Miami (1). AT #4 USC Western Michigan held two different touchdown leads and only trailed by four, 35-31, with just under five minutes remaining at #4 USC on Sept. 2 before falling, The Broncos and Trojans were tied in the fourth quarter after a 100- yard kick return by Darius Phillips but USC scored three late touchdowns to put the game away. WMU s defense had two interceptions and two sacks against Trojan quarterback and Heisman hopeful Sam Darnold. Sophomore running back LeVante Bellamy led a rushing attack that outgained USC with 102 yards on the day. Jamauri Bogan had a team-high 15 rushes for 77 yards, while Jarvion Franklin had 40 yards on 12 carries. RSo. QB Jon Wassink had 32 yards and a touchdown on the ground, completed 11-of-22 passes for 67 yards and caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from WR Keishawn Watson in his first collegiate start. FACING TOP-RANKED TEAMS TYPICAL For the second time in the last three years WMU opened the season against a top 5 ranked opponent. The Broncos hosted #5 ranked Michigan State on Sept. 5, MSU won, Also in 2015, WMU faced Ohio State, ranked #1 at the time, in Columbus in week 4, falling to the Buckeyes. WMU battled #4 USC on the road to open the 2017 season. The Broncos held two different touchdown leads in the game and trailed by only four in the final five minutes before falling A LOOK AT 2016 Western Michigan is coming off its best season in program history. The Broncos went undefeated during the 2016 regular season, winning their first MAC title since 1988, and were the highest ranked Group of 5 team, earning a berth in a New Year s Six Bowl, appearing in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. WMU s top 25 ranking was the first in school history. The Broncos peaked at #12 in the AP poll and finished the season ranked #15. Three teams won 13-plus games in 2016: Western Michigan, Clemson and Alabama. MAC DOMINANCE Western Michigan had historically the most dominant season in MAC history in The Broncos (8-0) were the first team in league history to win every MAC contest by at least 14 points. Western Michigan became the first team in the league to finish 8-0 in MAC play since Northern Illinois did it in Overall there have been 12 teams since the league started playing at least eight games beginning in 1978 to win every league game. In 2016 the Broncos won 11 straight games by 14 or more points. The only game, the team did not win by at least 14 points was the season opener at Northwestern (22-21). THREE DRAFTED IN 2016 WMU had 3 NFL Draft Picks last season - Consensus All-American and FBS all-time leading receiver (5,285 yds) - WR Corey Davis (5th overall, Titans); All-American OL Taylor Moton (2nd round, Panthers) and DE Keion Adams (7th round, Steelers). BUILDING A WINNING TRADITION Western Michigan s 13 wins in 2016 were the most wins in a WMU single season. The Broncos have won eight games in each of the last three seasons for the first time in program history. Below are the most wins in a one, two and three-year span. One Year Wins Two Years Wins done 9 times Three Years Wins ELECTRIFYING RETURNS Cornerback Darius Phillips provided electricity in 2016, returning a kickoff, punt, and three interceptions for touchdowns. He was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Year. His 75-yard interception return against Ball State gave him three for the season and four for his career, both are Western Michigan program records. He is also the first player in Western Michigan history to score five non offensive TDs in a season. All three of Phillips pick-sixes in 2016 were 70+ yards, beginning with a 70-yard return vs. Georgia Southern before taking back an 85-yard interception vs. Central Michigan. The 85-yard pick-six is the third of Phillips career and is the third-longest in the country this season. Against Georgia Southern, Phillips returned his third career kickoff for a touchdown, and his second of 100-yards after also doing so against then #5 ranked Michigan State in He recorded his third 100-yard kickoff return in the 2017 season-opener at #4 USC. After earning All-America honors as a kick returner in 2014, Phillips fielded his first punts on Sept. 10 vs. North Carolina Central, returning the second punt of his career 66 yards for the first punt return TD by a Bronco since Greg Jennings in WMUFootball

11 No. 20 WMU Keeps Perfect Record Intact, Fights Past EMU October 22, 2016 AKRON, Ohio No. 20 ranked Western Michigan defeated Eastern Michigan, 45-31, to improve to 8-0 and 4-0 in the Mid-American Conference. How it happened: Senior quarterback Zach Terrell threw for a career-high 398 yards and senior wide receiver Carrington Thompson scored two touchdowns and amassed a career-high 177 yards receiving to lead WMU to victory. Eastern Michigan gave the Broncos their best test yet of the conference season. WMU briefly trailed for the first time this season on their home field, but had a strong end to the second quarter and carried it into the second half. Western Michigan s defense did what it does best to start the game, forcing an Eastern Michigan fumble on an Eagle run in Broncos territory to take over at the WMU 17. From there, Terrell spread the ball around to four receivers, ending on a 32-yard pass to Carrington Thompson who made three defenders miss for the touchdown. EMU scored on its next drive and Western Michigan responded to go up Michael Henry pulled in a 36-yard reception and then WMU backs Jarvion Franklin and Jamauri Bogan went to work on the ground. Franklin ran it in from two yards out for his 36th-career TD run. Eastern Michigan showed that it is a much improved team from seasons past, and ran off 10-straight points to take a lead. Terrell was picked off for the first time this season, resulting in a field goal for the Eagles. On their next possession, the Eagles scored a 29-yard touchdown on 4th-and-6 from the WMU 29-yard line. Western Michigan didn t flinch after losing the lead and rolled off 10-straight points of its own to go back on top and take a advantage into halftime. Thompson hauled in a career-long 51-yard reception and Bogan ran the ball in from six yards out for his first touchdown of the game. WMU redshirt freshman Obbie Jackson snagged his first career interception with 39 seconds remaining in the half, helping set up a 44-yard field goal from Butch Hampton. Thompson s career day continued in the second half as he had two more catches on WMU s opening drive of the third quarter. The second was an eight-yard touchdown reception as Terrell scrambled and found Thompson for a sliding catch. Following a score by EMU, Western Michigan put together a nine-play, 70-yard drive to take a lead. Corey Davis had the ESPN-worthy catch of the game when he reached over and in front of his defender for a 31-yard touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone. It was Davis 44th career TD reception and gave WMU a lead. WMU worked almost seven minutes off the clock with a 13-play, 80-yard drive to open the fourth quarter. Thompson made two more receptions, giving him eight for the evening and Franklin and Bogan once again pounded the ball on the ground. Bogan s one-yard touchdown run put WMU up Eastern Michigan scored its final touchdown with 3:21 remaining. With the loss, EMU s record falls to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the MAC. Junior linebacker Robert Spillane led WMU defensively, making a career-high 14 tackles. The Bronco secondary had six pass breakups. Who stood out: Sr. QB Zach Terrell: 398 yards passing, 3 TDs, (C-A-I) Sr. WR Carrington Thompson: 177 yards receiving, 2 TDs, 8 catches Jr. RB Jarvion Franklin: 114 yards rushing, 1 TD Jr. LB Robert Spillane: 14 tackles STATS SUMMARY EMU WMU Total Yards Pass Yards Rushing Yards Penalty Yards st Downs rd Downs th Downs TOP 27:55 32:05 LAST YEAR VS. EASTERN MICHIGAN SERIES HISTORY VS. EMU WMU LEADS, Year Site Result Score 906 H L H W A L H W A W H W H L H L H T A L A L H W H W H W A W H W H W A T H W A L H W A L H L A W H L A L A L H W A W H W A W H L A W H W A W (OT) 2000 H W A W H W A W H L H W H W A L H W A L H W A L H L A L (OT) 2014 H W A W H W WMUFootball 11