Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan defense forced five turnovers and its offense erupted for 51 points in a 51-14 rolling of Central Connecticut State for its first win of the season, Saturday, Sept. 22 at Waldo Stadium.
The Brown & Gold (1-3) got off to a fast start, posting 17 first-quarter points, and built a 31-7 lead by halftime. WMU was a perfect 7-for-7 in the red-zone on the evening. One of the most notable stats was the Broncos' lack of penalties, as the team was not whistled for an offensive penalty, and only had five in total, a vast improvement from the 12-penalty per game average it owned entering the game.
Western Michigan got it done all over the field, as all of its first-half touchdowns were scored by different players, and five different Broncos on the defensive side of the ball came up with a turnover.
The Broncos went three-and-out after receiving the kickoff, but came up with great field position when a muffed Blue Devil fair catch was pounced on by Londen Fryar at the CCSU 24-yard line. Tim Hiller fired his first of two touchdown strikes of the evening to Herb Martin from 13 yards out to start the scoring for WMU.
The Broncos went ahead 10-0, at the 6:15 mark in the first quarter, cashing in on a 56-yard drive with a 23-yard field goal by Mike Jones. WMU extended the advantage to 17-0 less than a minute later, when junior college transfer Boston McCornell picked off a floating pass at the CCSU 32 and rambled to the end zone for his first Division I interception and touchdown.
Central Connecticut State (2-2) cut the lead to 17-7, responding with a 13-play, 80-yard drive, capped by a Adrian Hall touchdown run from three yards out to begin the second half.
Schneider Julien set up the Broncos' third touchdown with a 32-yard return on the ensuing kickoff. Four plays later, Brandon West scored on a 10-yard carry for his first rushing touchdown of the season, pushing the score to 24-7.
Western Michigan struck one more time before the halftime break, starting the drive on its own 37and scoring with two ticks left on the clock. The Broncos converted on a fourth-and-one in the red zone and later had the ball spotted on the two-yard line after a pass- interference call. Hiller connected with Keith Schultz for Schultz's first career touchdown reception.
The Brown & Gold worked the clock in the third quarter, chewing up almost six minutes on an 80-yard drive. Bonds burst into the end zone from five yards out for his second touchdown of the game with less than two minutes remaining in the quarter. The march down the field took 12 plays, 11 of which were running.
Glenis Thompson added a one-yard run at the 9:43 mark in the fourth quarter to put the score at 43-7. WMU got the ball back just thirteen seconds later, when Scott Gajos fell on a fumble at the Blue Devil 23. Redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Burdi fired a 17-yard pass to redshirt freshman Jamelle Murray, and a good point-after attempt added seven more points to the Bronco total. The touchdown pass and reception were a first for both Burdi and Murray.
Central Connecticut mustered out a late touchdown on a six-yard run by Kevin Woolfolf to make for a 51-14 final.
With the non-conference season behind them, the Broncos will open Mid-American Conference play on Sept. 29, traveling to Toledo for the Glass Bowl at 7 p.m. As always, the game can be heard on the Bronco Radio Network, WZUU 9.25 FM.
