vs. Delaware State (0-2, 0-0 MEAC)
Sept. 15, 2018 • 7 PM ET
Waldo Stadium (30,200) • Kalamazoo, Michigan
TV: ESPN+
TV Talent:
Play By Play – Dan Gutowsky
Analyst – Je'Rod Cherry
Radio: Bronco Radio Network - 96.5 FMWMU NOTES
DSU NOTES
COACHING FACTS
WMU Head Coach: Tim Lester (Western Michigan, 2000)
Record at Western Michigan: 6-8 (2nd Season)
Career Record: 46-31 (8th season)
DSU Head Coach: Rod Milstead (DSU, 1992)
Record at DSU: 0-2 (1st season)
Career Record: 0-2 (1st season)
STORYLINES
• After starting the season with losses to Syracuse and No. 21/22 Michigan, the Broncos look to rebound, hosting Delaware State on Saturday, Sept. 15. It will be the first ever meeting between the Broncos and the Hornets. This will mark the 12th straight season for WMU to host an FCS opponent, dating back to 2007.
• Launched in 1992, Saturday is WMU's 27th annual CommUniverCity game. CommUniverCity is a popular fall celebration designed to focus on community-university partnerships. Local organizations tailgate for this particular game in a tent tailgate lot in the outfield of the WMU baseball field (Hyames Field), located behind the southwest end zone. Admittance to the baseball field tailgate area is by invite only. Fireworks are also held at halftime of the football game. The CommUniverCity game is one of the most attended games year after year for WMU. The Broncos are 21-5 all-time in CommUniverCity games.
• WMU put up 621 yards of total offense in the season opener against Syracuse, but was held to only 208 total yards this past week on the road at No. 21/22 Michigan. The Broncos defense has produced two sacks each game and forced and recovered a fumble against Syracuse. WMU has not recorded an interception this year.
• Against Syracuse, WMU had a 300-yard passer, one 200-yard receiver as well as a 100-yard receiver, and a 100-yard rusher. A majority of WMU's offense at Michigan came on the ground - 123 yards, compared to 85 yards passing.
• Western Michigan is coming off a 6-6 overall record in 2017, and went 4-4 in the Mid-American Conference. The Broncos won four of their first six games, with the two losses coming at No. 4 ranked USC and at Michigan State in the first two weeks of the season, but the Broncos struggled down the stretch as injuries took their toll on the team. Western Michigan had 21 season-ending injuries in 2017, among them starting quarterback Jon Wassink, as well as five running backs, five wide receivers and five defensive backs.
IMPORTANT DATES
WMU begins its MAC schedule Saturday, Sept. 29, at Miami University. The Broncos' first home conference game is against Eastern Michigan, Saturday Oct. 6 (Noon kickoff), which will be WMU's 95th annual Homecoming game, as well as Youth Day and Family Weekend.
GEORGIA STATE KICKOFF ANNOUNCED
ESPN has announced that the Western Michigan at Georgia State football game on Saturday, Sept. 22 has been slotted for a 2 p.m. ET kickoff and will be carried on ESPN+. The Sept. 22, 2018 matchup will be the first ever meeting between Western Michigan and Georgia State. The Panthers make a return trip to Kalamazoo on Sept. 14, 2019, as part of a home-and-home contract. Located in Atlanta, Georgia State is a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Panthers play their home games in what was formerly known as Turner Field, which served as the home ball park of the Atlanta Braves from 1997–2016.
YOUNG TALENT
50 players on Western Michigan's 106-person roster are freshmen or redshirt freshmen. The Broncos have 24 sophomores, 22 juniors and just 10 seniors (with two of those 10 being graduate transfers).
• 13 Broncos (six true freshmen) played in their first collegiate game in the season-opener against Syracuse on Aug. 31. Three of those players were starters on offense (Fr. WR Jayden Reed, RFr. WR Jaylen Hall, RFr. LT Jaylon Moore). WMU also played a freshman long snapper (Bryce Bouwens) and punter (Nick Mahalic).
SCOUTING DELAWARE STATE
• Delaware State is coached by Rod Milstead in his first season at the helm of the program. Returning to coach at his alma mater, Milstead was a standout offensive lineman for the Hornets from 1998-91 and played eight years in the National Football League. Most recently the head coach at La Plata High School in Maryland from 2015-2018 prior to Delaware State, Milstead has also spent time at Lackey High in Maryland, North Carolina Central University, and was DSU's offensive line coach in 2014.
• The Hornets have opened their 2018 slate 0-2, most recently falling 45-14 at Saint Francis (Pa.). In its season opener, Delaware State faced Mid-American Conference member Buffalo and lost 48-10.
• Delaware State, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), is coming off a 2-9 overall record in 2017 and was selected to finish 10th of 10 teams in the conference preseason poll. The Hornets are six-time MEAC champions, most recently in 2007, in which they finished 9-0 in conference play.
• Delaware State is 0-4 all-time against the Mid-American Conference and are facing Western Michigan for the first time. The Hornets have faced Buffalo and Kent State twice.
• The Hornets return both starting quarterbacks from last season. Sophomore Jack McDaniels and junior Keenan Black both saw time in the starting role in 2017. Four Hornets were recognized on the 2018 Preseason All-MEAC Teams, including three first-team selections. Defensive Back Keyjuan Selby, punter Fidel Romo-Martinez, and linebacker Brian Cavicante were first team members, while running back Brian Alleyne was voted to the second team.
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATION
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