WMU vs. CMU Game Stats
WMU vs. CMU Post-Game Notes
WMU vs. CMU Post-Game Quotes
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Senior quarterback Tim Hiller broke the school record for touchdowns and completions in a career, as well as pass attempts in a single game, but Western Michigan couldn't find a way to get past Central Michigan, falling to the Chippewas, 34-23, in front of a season-large crowd of 27,896 Saturday at Waldo Stadium.
Hiller and company rolled off 10 straight points in the second quarter to tie the score at 13-all, but a quick drive by CMU and a costly turnover changed the course of the game. With 2:33 to go before the half, Central Michigan turned a 13-13 tie into a 14-point Bronco deficit, stealing the momentum and building a lead the Broncos couldn't recover from.
On the afternoon, Western Michigan had more total offense than the Chippewas, with 497 yards compared to CMU's 426. The Broncos also won the numbers game when it came to first downs, 27-21.
Hiller finished the game with 410 yards in the air, completing 40 of 66 passes. With his 64th attempt, he set a WMU single-game record. Running back Brandon West rumbled for 96 yards, tearing off a run of 30 and sophomore receiver Robert Arnheim hauled in nine catches for 112 yards. Eleven different receivers caught a pass for the Broncos.
Defensively, senior linebacker Austin Pritchard recorded seven tackles, as did redshirt sophomore David Lewis. Five of Pritchard's tackles were solo. Anthony Wiggins, Deauntay Legrier and Justin Braska each made six stops apiece. Wiggins also recorded his fourth forced fumble of the season in the first half.
Down seven after a 33-yard field goal by John Potter in the second quarter, Wiggins stripped CMU's David Blackburn near midfield and Legrier pounced on the recovery. Western Michigan took control at the 50 and made its way to the CMU 18. Faced with a fourth and two situation, the Broncos decided to go for it. CMU's Matt Berning rushed from Hiller's left, and on his heels Hiller lofted a pass to back of the end zone. Juan Nunez fought of Eric Fraser for the grab, and with the catch Hiller surpassed Tim Lester's 87 career touchdown tosses with his 88th.
The good feelings didn't last long, as it took Central Michigan just a minute and thirteen seconds to counter, taking over with 2:33 remaining before the half. Again, it was LeFevour to Bryan Schroeder, who slipped out on the left and ran into the end zone untouched.
The Broncos got the ball back with a minute twenty left, and on the third play of the drive Hiller was hit as he was throwing. Nick Bellore made the pick off in the middle of the field and raced 50 yards to the Broncos' three yard line. Schroeder converted the touchdown with a two-yard run. Central Michigan took a 27-13 lead into halftime.
Western Michigan had a chance to pull within one score at the beginning of the third quarter. Hiller led the Broncos 82 yards down the field but overthrew West in the end zone and the Broncos had to settle for three on a 27-yard Potter field goal.
Central Michigan opened the fourth quarter with the ball and drove 79 yards for its final score of the evening on a seven-yard touchdown pass from LeFevour to Antonio Brown.
On the wrong side of a 34-16 score, the Broncos made one final push with a touchdown to bring the count to 34-23, but couldn't make up any more ground. Hiller completed eight out of 10 passes on a 68-yard drive. His five-yard touchdown strike to Trey Smith with five minutes left in the game set another school mark. This time he overtook Lester in the career completions category with his 876th completion. It was the first touchdown reception for the true freshman Smith.
The touchdown gave Hiller 89 for his career, moving him into second place all-time in the Mid-American Conference, tying Bryon Leftwich. Chad Pennington holds the record with 100. Hiller is also now second among active quarterbacks in the NCAA in TD passes.
Improving its record to 4-0 in the conference and 6-1 overall, Central Michigan remains in the top spot in the MAC West. Western Michigan fell to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in MAC play. The Broncos return to Waldo Stadium next Saturday for a 2 p.m. battle with Buffalo on Homecoming Weekend.
