KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The new scoring system gave the nearly 2,000 Bronco fans in attendance an exciting end to the 2009 spring football season as the offense outlasted the defense, 38-35. Drew Burdi was more than efficient through the air, throwing for 212 yards and a touchdown on 23-of-31 passing. Robert Arnheim led the receiving corps with 115 yards on six catches, while scoring twice.
The first offense put itself in front early in the game when on the third play Burdi found Arnheim on the seam route for a 63-yard score and a nine-point lead thanks to the new scoring system. The offense received six points for the TD, two more for a play over 30 yards and one more for the PAT. The defense put two points on its side of the scoreboard as the clock ran out on the first quarter, stopping the Bronco offensive unit on its last two possessions for two points.
Caleb Morris knocked a 35-yard field goal down the middle to close out the first offensive drive of the second quarter for three more points. WMU's defense stopped the offense three times on three-and-outs to add six points to its total.
The third quarter ended with what resembled a normal football score with the offense leading, 31-21. The defense had four more stops on three-and-outs and forced the game's only turnover. Keith Dixson forced Brandon West to fumble along the near sideline and Mario Armstrong scooped up the ball on the run and was forced out of bounds.
Arnheim found another way to score late in the third quarter, throwing for a touchdown to Juan Nunez from 12 yards out. Burdi flipped the ball to Arnheim on the near sideline and the sophomore who converted to a receiver last season showed his touch is still there as a passer, finding Nunez in the front corner of the end zone.
The final quarter belonged to the defensive unit as it scored 14 points and took the lead late on a three-and-out, 33-32. The three-and-outs allowed Ben Armer to show is strength as he booted 12 punts for an average of 42.7 yards, including two over 50 yards with one punt reaching 57 yards. Alex Carder, who finished with 118 yards on 15-of-30 passing, answered for the offense with another long reception for Arnheim, this time for 39 yards to the 41-yard line on the defensive side of the field.
John Potter attempted a second 56-yard field goal with the first attempt having missed short. This attempt, still short, hit the cross bar to give the defense two more points to tie the score at 35 apiece. On the final drive the offense scored three points on a trio of first-down passes from Burdi. The first came on a 10-yard completion for Nunez, the next came on a 12-yard completion to Jamelle Murray, who was seeing his first live game action since the 2007 season.
Burdi found Eric Monette for 11 yards for the game's final point but the drama was not over at that point. With the defense trailing by just three points, needing a turnover to tie and a turnover for a score to win, Burdi's pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage by Freddie Bishop. Waymon Ross, who finished the day with nine tackles, dove to the middle of the field for the interception but came up just short as time expired.
WMU's defense found new names at the top of the stat sheet as Vernon Stewart led all with 11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a pass break up. The defense had 12 break ups on the day with Andy Dorcely, Jamail Berry and Bishop leading with two apiece. Deauntay Legrier finished third in tackles with eight on the day. Three Bronco defenders had a sack on the day, Austin Pritchard, Scott Hinds and T.J. Lynch, and the defense added 10.0 TFLs led by Stewart.
Offensively, 14 Broncos hauled in at least one catch led by Nunez with seven. Murray joined Arnheim with six catches, including one reception down the far sideline where he was hit three times but emerged through the pile before eventually being bumped out of bounds. Murrary ended the day with 67 yards receiving. Glenis Thompson led the ground game with 42 yards on 10 carries, including a 21-yard run for the longest carry of the day.
On Friday afternoon strength and conditioning coach Nate Peoples handed out is annual spring awards. Brandon West was named the best athlete overall, while Jaron Deshazor was named the most improved. Earning strength awards by position were Nick Mitchell (OL), Anthony Williams (TE), West (RB), Juan Nunez (WR), Drew Burdi (QB), Chris Pyant (DL), Matt Pickens (LB), Andy Dorcely (CB/S) and Ben Armer (SP).
Western Michigan opens the 2009 season on Sept. 5 against Michigan. WMU will face three teams from the Big Ten as part of its non-conference schedule. The Broncos opens their home season against Miami on Sept. 19 for CommUniverCity Night.
