BOX SCORE
GAME NOTES
GAME QUOTES
KALAMAZOO -- Junior running back Brandon West rushed for a career-high 175 yards and junior quarterback Tim Hiller threw three touchdown passes as the Western Michigan football team defeated Northern Illinois, 29-26, in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams in front of 26,262 at Waldo Stadium on CommUniverCity Night.
Senior wide receiver Jamarko Simmons had a record-breaking night as he moved into third place in career catches (167) and seventh place in career receiving yards (1,866) with eight catches for 102 yards and one touchdown for the Broncos (1-1, 1-0 MAC)
Hiller put the Broncos on top for good, 22-19, with 10:05 remaining in the fourth quarter on a five-yard quarterback draw and two-point conversion pass to wide receiver Juan Nunez.
Two plays later, senior linebacker Boston McCornell forced the Huskies' (0-2, 0-1 MAC) DeMarcus Grady to fumble and senior safety Louis Delmas recovered at the NIU 33-yard line. Five plays later, Hiller found linebacker Austin Pritchard in the right flat for the one-yard touchdown and freshman John Potter's extra point made it 29-19 with 6:59 remaining in the game.
The Huskies opened the scoring on the very first offensive series of the game after some aggressive play-calling. On their first play, quarterback Chandler Harnish connected with wide receiver Matt Simon on a flea flicker for 45 yards. Six plays later, freshman running back Me'co Brown broke several tackles as he went around right end for a 26-yard touchdown and 7-0 lead with 11:33 remaining in the first quarter after a seven-play, 84-yard drive that took 3:27 off the clock.
The Broncos were unable to answer on their first offensive series, but did break through on their second. WMU steadily moved downfield, including a key two-yard first down carry by running back Brandon West on fourth and one at the NIU 37. Three plays later, WMU faced third and one at the 26 and Hiller pump-faked to draw in the defense and then threw over the top to find Simmons all alone in the end zone. Potter converted the extra point to even the score, 7-7, with 3:02 left in the first after an eight-play, 57-yard drive that took 3:41 off the clock.
Western Michigan forced a three-and-out by the Huskies and took back over at their own 45-yard line. Hiller started the drive with a 23-yard rope to Nunez, who held on between two defenders. Four plays later it appeared that WMU had squandered its opportunity after Hiller was intercepted in the end zone on fourth and two, but NIU was offsides on the play and the Broncos had new life. Four plays later, Hiller finished the drive by finding West out of the backfield over the middle to give WMU the advantage, 14-7, with 13:54 to go in the half. The drive took 2:56 off the clock over 55 yards and eight plays.
Northern Illinois looked to cut into the deficit on their next drive, but were forced to attempt a 35-yard field goal after Greg Marshall forced third-and-goal from the 18 after his first sack of the season. NIU couldn't convert on fourth down as the holder fumbled the snap and WMU tackled kicker Mike Salerno for a nine-yard loss.
The Brown & Gold couldn't move the ball on the ensuing series and NIU marched down field again and had first and goal at the WMU 3. The Broncos' defense stepped up as Dustin Duclo stopped NIU on first down at the one and C.J. Wilson stuffed the second down play. On third down, NIU fumbled the snap and didn't get a play off. Salerno did convert a 20-yard field goal with 1:16 remaining in the first half that accounted for the halftime score
The Broncos opened the second half with the ball, but fumbled at midfield. NIU took over and marched 39 yards to pull within one, 14-13, on a 39-yard field goal by Salerno with 11:17 to go in the quarter.
WMU looked to answer on their next drive as Hiller found Simmons in the back left corner of the end zone for their second touchdown connection of the day, but it would not be as Simmons was called for offensive pass interference. The Broncos still had a chance to answer the field goal, but Potter missed wide left from 25 yards after a 10-play, 73-yard march.
The Western Michigan defense tried to pick up the offense on the next drive as Delmas notched his second interception of the season and 10th of his career, most among active players. The offense gave it back on the next play as senior tight end Branden Ledbetter fumbled after a reception in the left flat.
Northern Illinois took over at their 33-yard line and marched 67 yards in nine plays over 4:54 to take the lead on third-string quarterback DeMarcus Grady's three-yard touchdown run with 14:17 to go in the fourth quarter. The Broncos snuffed out the two-point conversion try to stay within five, 19-14, and regained the lead for good on Hiller's touchdown run on the next possession.
The Huskies ended up outgaining the Broncos with 439 yards of total offense on 77 plays, while WMU collected 384 yards on 62 plays. The Broncos won the battle on the ground, 198-142, in twelve fewer carries (44-32), while NIU threw for 297 yards and WMU passed for 186 through the air.
Delmas led the defense with 10 tackles, including two for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery.
The Broncos return to non-conference play next weekend when they travel to Moscow, Idaho, to take on the Idaho Vandals (1-1) of the Western Athletic Conference at 5 p.m.
