Box Score
Post-Game Quotes
Game Notes
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan (3-1, 1-0 MAC) racked up 633 yards and Tim Hiller threw for five touchdowns as the Broncos soared past Tennessee Tech, 41-7. Hiller was efficient throughout the night, completing 27 of 31 pass attempts for 333 yards.
The Bronco defense also showed up in prime form, limiting Tennesse Tech (2-2, 1-0 OVC) to 251 total yards. Although it was the first time in eight games and just the second time in 41 contests the Bronco defense did not force a turnover, the defensive line had two deflected passes.
Brandon West rushed for 135 yards and one touchdown and Jarmarko Simmons caught 10 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. Kirk Elsworth also recorded a career-high 69 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. Cornerback Londen Fryar and strong safety C.J. Wilson led the Bronco defense with seven tackles each.
WMU led 27-7 at intermission, scoring touchdowns on four of its five first-half possessions. The only hiccups for the Broncos in the first half was a missed point after attempt by freshman kicker John Potter and an intercepted Hiller pass. It was Potter's first career missed PAT after making his first 13.
On the Broncos' third possession, Hiller snapped his streak of 75 pass attempts without an interception when his errant throw intended for Simmons landed in the hands of Jamere Hogue. Hiller started off the game completing his first 13 passes, including all 11 of the first quarter.
On WMU's opening possession, Aaron Winchester slipped through the middle of the field and raced career-high 56 yards before he was dragged down at the Tennessee Tech one-yard line. On the next play, Hiller found Ledbetter all alone in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. It was Hiller's 50th career touchdown pass.
On the Broncos' next offensive set, Juan Nunez busted down the sideline for a 31-yard reception, setting up a Simmons touchdown catch. WMU head coach Bill Cubit pulled a play out of his bag of tricks, pushing the o-line to the right of the field and lining up his three receivers on the left in a swinging gate formation. Hiller found Simmons streaking across the middle and he raced 19 yards to the end zone.
TTU put up a 78-yard scoring drive, capped by a Josh Lawry 24-yard scoring strike to Tim Benford and converted the PAT to pull within six, 13-7.
Western Michigan extended its lead to 20-7 on the next drive, marching 64 yards down the field in five plays. West had three carries for 30 yards, including a six-yard touchdown run.
West followed that performance with a season-long 51-yard run on the Broncos' final drive of the half. Hiller then completed six straight passes, the last two of which were to Elsworth, resulting in Elsworth's first career touchdown, scoring from three yards out.
WMU picked up right where it left off in the second half, scoring on its opening drive to push the lead to 34-7. Schneider Julien recorded his first touchdown rec pet ion, wiggling past a defender and skipping 23 yards down the sideline.
The Brown & Gold tacked on one more score before the end of the third quarter as Hiller completed his fifth touchdown pass. Elsworth was again on the receiving end for the second time of the night, dragging a defender with him from seven yards out.
With the game well in hand, backup quarterback Drew Burdi took over in the fourth quarter. He completed four passes for 26 yards and rushed for 32. Dennis Reedy also got in the action, taking the final five snaps.
Western Michigan will look to keep its three-game win streak going next week when it travels to Temple for a 2 p.m. contest. The Broncos return to Kalamazoo on Oct. 4, welcoming Ohio on Homecoming weekend.
