WESTERN MICHIGAN (6-4, 4-2 MAC)
at NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium (23,595) • DeKalb, Ill.
7 PM ET • ESPN2 • 96.5 FM
All-Time Series: WMU leads, 23-18


ESPN2 TALENT:
Chris Cotter - Play-by-Play
Desmond Howard - Analyst
Quint Kessenich - Reporter

COACHING FACTS
WMU Head Coach: Tim Lester (Western Michigan, 2000)
Record at WMU: 6-4, 4-2 MAC (1st Season)
Overall record: 46-27 (7th season)

Head Coach: Rod Carey
Record at NIU:  43–22, 31–7 MAC (5th Season) 
Overall record: same


BRONCOS BOWL ELIGIBLE FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT SEASON
The Broncos are coming off a 48-20 win over Kent State this past Wednesday and will enter the NIU contest with a 6-4 overall, 4-2 Mid-American Conference record. WMU's win over Kent State made the Broncos bowl eligible for a program-record fourth straight season. The Broncos have played in eight bowl games in their history, recording their first bowl win in the 2015 Popeye's Bahamas Bowl, defeating Middle Tennessee State, 45-31. Last year, WMU played in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against Wisconsin, while in 2014 WMU faced off against Air Force in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 42nd all-time meeting between Western Michigan and Northern Illinois, with the Broncos holding a 23-18 advantage in the series. Western Michigan defeated Northern Illinois last season in Kalamazoo, 45-30. It was the Broncos' first win over the Huskies since 2008. WMU has not won in DeKalb since 2007, a 17-13 victory.

FRANKLIN PASSES 1,000-YARD MARK, MOVES UP IN MAC RECORD BOOK
Senior running back Jarvion Franklin totaled 191 yards rushing with one touchdown on 22 carries in the Broncos' win over Kent State this past week. Franklin's 191-yard game was his sixth over 100 yards, pushing him over the 1,000-yard mark (1,061) for the season. No other MAC player has totaled 900 yards rushing this season. Franklin ripped off a career-long 72-yard touchdown run to give the Broncos a 21-14 lead in the first quarter and from there WMU would hold the lead the remainder of the game as the Broncos snapped a two-game losing streak at home. With the win, Western Michigan also became bowl eligible for a program-record fourth consecutive year. With the performance against Kent State, Franklin moved into the top 5 all-time in the Mid-American Conference for career rushing TDs with 51 and rushing yards with 4,700. Franklin also moved into second all-time at Western Michigan for career all-purpose yards with 5,370, passing Corey Davis with 5,212. He was named MAC West Player of the Week for his accomplishments, his second weekly award this season.

PHILLIPS' FIFTH INT FOR TD TIES FBS RECORD
Senior cornerback Darius Phillips tied the all-time FBS record with his fifth career interception return for a touchdown in the Broncos' win over Kent State this past week. Already the FBS record holder for career runbacks, Phillips added to his overall total, as the 43-yard interception return marked his 12th career runback. In addition to the pick six, Phillips also forced a fumble, had two tackles, one pass break up and recorded 62 yards on three kickoff returns.

RUNNING BACK U
Western Michigan has played seven different running backs this season, five scoring touchdowns. WMU leads the MAC with 249.4 rushing yards a game which also ranks 13th most in the nation. WMU's depth at the position has been needed, as LeVante Bellamy (vs. Akron), Jamauri Bogan (vs. CMU) and Davon Tucker (vs. CMU) have all sustained season-ending injuries. The Broncos debuted two new running backs against Kent State, as redshirt freshman Matt Falcon and converted walk-on wide receiver Ra'Sean Davie each had carries. Falcon was ranked as the No. 12 running back in the nation out of high school and was originally committed to Michigan before knee injuries slowed the start of his collegiate career. Falcon showed his explosiveness against Kent State, tearing off a 33-yard run. Davie moved to RB from his wide out spot following the injuries to Bogan and Tucker. He ran for 56 yards against Kent State, including a 46-yard touchdown.

MITCHELL NATION'S LEADER
Western Michigan junior punter Derrick Mitchell leads the nation with 30 punts inside the 20 this season. He had four last week vs. Kent State.

I'LL TAKE THAT
Western Michigan has at least one interception in six of 10 games this season - nine total, made by six different players (Darius Phillips - 3, Sam Beal - 2, Obbie Jackson - 1 and Malik Rucker - 1, Asantay Brown - 1, Robert Spillane - 1). The Broncos have also have 13 fumble recoveries this season, ranking third most in the nation. Against Kent State, Western Michigan recorded three defensive touchdowns, off of two pick-sixes (Robert Spillane, 35 yds. & Darius Phillips, 43 yds.), as well as a 23-yard fumble return by freshman A.J. Thomas.

ERNSBERGER ACCEPTS INVITE TO NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL
Western Michigan senior tight end Donnie Ernsberger has been extended and accepted an invitation to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Nearly 200 scouts, player personnel staff, general managers and head coaches from all 32 NFL teams are expected be in attendance to watch live practices, conduct player interviews and review tape.