Western Michigan Broncos Football Tickets - Games - Buy Western Michigan Broncos Football Tickets

Since 1990 WM has had just 5 losing seasons, unfortunately four of them came from 2001-2004. Gary Darnell established WM as a MAC power from 1997-2000 and they finished #27 in the final polls in 2000 winning the MAC West and recording 3 shutouts. They led the MAC West for 24 straight weeks until they fell out of first in 2001 and basically struggled until Cubit came along last year. In 2004 I pointed out that Darnell needed a winning season to keep his job and that it would be a tough task with just 11 starters back, a new QB and a tough schedule. The season was even worse than expected as they finished 1 -10 and were outgained in conf play by 152.1 ypg, the worst in the MAC with the team basically giving up down the stretch. That 2004 squad was -13 in turnovers (pg 312). Last year they returned 13 starters and I said they would have the most improved record of any team in the MAC and could actually flirt with a winning season. Only 30 players stayed to workout over the summer of 2004 but 70 were on hand last year. WM embarked on their 100th season of football with a good effort vs Virginia only trailing by 5 mid-4Q, but was blown out by Toledo in its opening MAC game to open the season 0-2. They trailed Div IAA S Illinois by 11 but ended their 12 game losing streak with a win and then got a 33 yd FG on the last play to beat Temple, regaining confidence. They lost QB Cubit for the season but still managed to win 7 of 8 with their only loss to Ball St in 5 OT's. They beat a BG team after QB Jacobs was injured in the 1Q but won the Michigan MAC Championship knocking off both EM and CM. On the 5th play vs Nl, QB Miller was injured and out went the Broncos chances of winning. They still accomplished an outstanding 7-4 record and became the first MAC team to lose 8 MAC games one year and win 5 the next. Cubit was named MAC Coach of the Year. Cubit brought in a lot of discipline and they only had 21 upperclassmen scholarship players. They had 35 frosh play last year (most in NCAA) and set a Div IA record with 17 of them starting. Despite their winning record in the MAC, WM was actually outgained by 91.3 ypg in league play and benefitted from two close wins. The defense allowed 8.5 ppg less despite having only 4 seniors on the 2 deep and the offense avg'd 9.7 ppg more despite losing their top 2 QB's to injury. This year they have eleven 5th year seniors. The offense has 6 starters back but must replace a 1,000 yard rusher and NFL DC's at WR and TE. It will be tough to match 2005's 32.2 ppg. The D showed a lot of improvement in '05 and now has 8 starters back on that side and should have one of the MAC'S better D.