Box Score
KALAMAZOO, MICH ? Western Michigan battled back from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Eastern Michigan 18-15 in front of 20,482 on Saturday at Waldo Stadium. It is the largest second-half deficit WMU has erased en route to a victory this season.
The comeback started when the Broncos, down 15-3, (6-2, 4-1 MAC) got the ball with 13:09 left in the fourth quarter. WMU was able to drive down to the EMU's (1-7, 1-4 MAC) one yard-line but the Eagles' defense forced a fourth-down situation. That's when senior quarterback Ryan Cubit was able to scramble to buy some time and found Keith Schultz in the back of the end zone for a touchdown cutting the deficit to five, 15-10.
On EMU's next possession, Dontayo Gage lofted a halfback pass over his intended receiver and Louis Delmas came down with his fourth interception of the season. The Broncos drove again, but Eastern's defense stood firm and forced a field-goal attempt from 37 yards, but Nate Meyer missed it wide right. He had also missed from 42 yards earlier in the game. EMU's next drive stalled after three plays, topped off with another Ismail sack.
The Bronco defense was led by Ismail who finished the game with eight tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks. The three sacks by Ismail give him 14 on the season, one shy of Jason Babin's WMU record of 15 sacks in a season and two shy of the Mid-American Conference record of 16 by Jonathan Goddard of Marshall and Dan Bazuin of Central Michigan.
The Broncos got the ball back at the 50-yardline and Cubit found tight-end Branden Ledbetter for 31 yards over the middle for a Bronco first-down. That was followed by a 19-yard run for a touchdown by running back Mark Bonds to put WMU up 18-15 with 5:04 left on the clock. It was Bonds seventh score of the season.
EMU drove the ball to their own 38 yard-line when Ismail recorded his third and final sack of the evening forcing a fourth and 35 for the Eagles. A personal foul forced EMU into an undesirable fourth and 34. Quarterback Tyler Jones heaved the ball into the air and sophomore E.J. Biggers picked it off, sealing the victory for the Broncos.
Eastern Michigan lead for a majority of the game thanks to the leg of senior kicker Andrew Wellock's three field goals on the day. During a day with wind gusting up to 40 miles-per-hour Wellock was able to connect from 45, 41, and 26 yards.
Western Michigan was to comeback thanks to the leadership of Cubit, who made a check to a running play on Bonds' 21-yard touchdown run and finished the day 18-for-32 passing for 150 yards and one touchdown. Bonds finished the day with 97 yards on 18 carries and the game winning touchdown. Freshman running back Brandon West had a career high 87 yards on 10 carries. Jamarko Simmons led the Broncos with five receptions for 30 yards.
Delmas and Biggers both picked off their fourth passes of the season, giving Western Michigan the NCAA lead in interceptions with 19. Sophomore Dustin Duclo also had an outstanding defensive game with eight tackles and one tackle for loss. Freshman defensive end Justin Braska also tallied his first career sack for the Broncos.
Redshirt freshman Andy Scmitt started the game at quarterback with the Eagles but left midway through the third quarter after getting a blow to the head. Schmitt led the Eagles in rushing with 43 yards on seven attempts and also led them in passing completing 15-of-26 for 159 yards. Senior receiver Trumaine Riley led the Eagles with nine receptions for 64 yards, and senior Eric Deslauriers had six receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown.
The Bronco defense made a statement at the end of the first half as Nick Varcadipane blocked a kick for the second time this season. The block was the team's fifth of the year and more importantly, held the halftime score at a three-all tie.
The Broncos face the Miami Redhawks (1-8, 1-4 MAC) for their final home game of the season next Saturday Nov. 4 at 3:30 p.m. at Waldo Stadium. The game can also be seen on Comcast Local.
