Behind the Numbers #91

 The final edition of the Behind the Numbers series begins with #91.  This series of numbers are relatively young compared to the other collections, as number 91 is the oldest jersey number dating back to 1966. Wide receiver Gary Johnson was the first to wear number 91.

Though it may not be the oldest out of this collection, it sure racks up statistical success.  Number 91 has compiled 210 tackles and 15 sacks while roaming the field at Waldo Stadium.  To begin the final edition, the best player is placed on the defensive side of the ball.

Ryan Bauer (1996-1997) may have only played a couple of years at WMU, but had much success.  Bauer recorded 76 tackles and 12 sacks during his career. He was Second Team All-MAC in 1997. 

Wearing number 91 for the Broncos this years is junior defensive end Cory Sueing. Sueing last year had seven tackles and one sack.

Behind the Numbers #92

There have only been 15 players to wear #92 in WMU history. The first being defensive tackle Kevin Brim in 1977.

Though so few have worn number 92, the statistics would say otherwise. Number 92 has amassed 239 tackles, 13 sacks, 163 punts and 6,045 punt yards through its years at WMU. The best player to wear number 92, was also the most recent.

Drew Nowak (2008-2011) was virtually unstoppable on the defensive line for the Broncos during his career. Nowak put together an impressive statistical resume that included 180 tackles,11 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss.

He is top 10 in single season tackles for loss (20.5) and is second in career-blocked kicks (4).  In 2011, he was First Team All-MAC, Third Team Phil Steele's All-America and MAC Defensive Player of the Year. 

Behind the Numbers #93

Every player to wear #93 was a defensive player. All of the defensive players have been tackling their way ever since 1975 and linebacker Gary MacKinely. 

Ever since 1975, the defensive players have amassed a massive 488.5 tackles and 57 sacks. While the overall success for number 93 is impressive, the best player to wear number 93 can be considered one of the best defensive players ever at WMU.

Jason Babin (1999-2003) is one of the best WMU defensive players to ever roam the field in Kalamazoo.  Babin during his career recorded 299 tackles and 38 sacks. He holds the record for career sacks (38) and tackles for loss (75.)  He holds the record for single season tackles for loss (33), and second in single season sacks (15). He is apart of the WMU All-Century team.

His awards resume includes MAC Defensive Player of the Year (2002-03), First Team All-MAC (2002-03), Second Team All-MAC (2001), Sporting News All-America Fourth Team (2002) and Sporting News All-America Second Team (2003).  He was drafted with the 27^th pick in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, making him the highest drafted Bronco in history.

In his nine-year career, the two-time All-Pro, has played with four different teams (Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles). During his career he has recorded 270 tackles, 48 sacks and seven forced fumbles. He is now with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Freshman defensive end Mikhail Dubose will be wearing the famous number 93 for the Broncos this season. Dubose had 285 tackles and 25 sacks during his career at Hubbard High School in Chicago, IL.

Behind the Numbers #94

The #94 hasn't been roaming the WMU locker rooms forever, but it's still been making plays and racking up awards. Defensive tackle Dave Bordine was the first to wear number 94 back in 1975.

Defensive players swarmed number 95, just like they swarmed offensives. Number 95 has recorded 278 tackles and 19 sacks. The best player to wear number 94 had the shakes to make you quake and the fries to cross your eyes.

Terry Crews (1987-1990) was a dominating linebacker for the Broncos during his career. Crews amassed 138 tackles and seven sacks in his career. He was Second Team All-MAC in 1989. He is also apart of the WMU All-Century Team

Crews then went on to get drafted with the 281^st pick in the 11^th round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He had a six-year NFL career in which he played for the Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles and LA Rams.

After football, he persued a career in film in which he has stared in over 20 movies, a handful of successful TV shows and recently the Old Spice body deodarant commericials.

Freshman defensive tackle Junior Estelus will carry on the number 94 tradition this year for the Broncos. Estelus recorded 58 tackles and five sacks during his senior season at Lake Worth High School in Palm Beach, FLA.

Behind the Numbers #95

Though defensive players dominated #95, number 95 also had offensive players that got the job done as well. Defensive end Bob Compton in 1975 was the first player to wear the hallowed number 95. 

Defense surely dominated the overall statistics as all the players amassed 319 tackles and 14.5 sacks. While breaking the trend in this collection, all of the offensive stats go to the best player to wear number 95.

Bob Phillips (1979-1982) was a lethal weapon for the Bronco offense during his career. Phillips garnered 120 catches, 1,802 yards and 16 touchdowns while at WMU. He is top 10 in both career receiving yards (1,802) and touchdowns (16). He is also top five in single-game receiving yards (203 vs. Ohio, 1981).  He was First Team All-MAC in 1981-82. He is also apart of the WMU All-Century Team.

Freshman defensive tackle Jabarai Bothwell will shoulder the number 95 this season for the Broncos. Bothwell was First Team All-County and First Team All-State as a senior at North Marion High School in Ocala, FLA. 

Behind the Numbers #96

The #96 is the most worn in this Behind the Numbers series collection. Dating back to 1977, there have been 21 players to wear number 96.  The first was defensive end Bob Compton in 1977.

Since then, all 20 players have managed to compile 330 tackles and 14.5 sacks. The theme of this collection has been defense and it's no surprise that the next best player was on the defensive side of the ball.

Jeff Kacmarek (1981-1984) was true force to be reckoned with while on the defensive line at WMU. Kacmarek amassed 115 tackles and four sacks during his career at WMU.

Freshman defensive tackle Jonathan Harden will be the 22^nd player to wear number 96 for the Broncos this season. Harden was First Team all-state defense at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn.

Behind the Numbers #97

The defensive line and tight ends split the load for #97 throughout WMU history. There have been five defensive lineman and five tight ends to wear number 97 for the Broncos. The first player to wear number 97 was tight end Tom Henry in 1976.

For the stats, both the tight ends and defensive lineman had relatively the same amount of success. Number 97 compiled 57 catches, 631 yards, 316 tackles and 20.5 sacks. But the theme still stays the same as a defensive player is deemed the best number 97.

Chris Browning (1999-2002) was apart of the defensive line during his time at WMU. Browning recorded 167tackles and 14.5 sacks during his career. He was Second Team All-MAC in 2000, followed by First Team All-MAC in 2002. He is apart of the WMU All-Century Team.

Senior defensive end Freddie Bishop will wear number 97 this year for the Broncos. Bishop has 109 tackles and 11 sacks during his career. Last season he had 51 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

Behind the Numbers #98

The average temperature of a human being is 98 degrees, 98.6 to be exact. For the WMU players to wear #98, they have been anything but average human beings.

In 1976 tight end Ted Roseorla wore the first number 98 and ever since Bronco players have been heating up the gridiron. The number 98 has amassed 449 tackles and 11.5 sacks. For the third straight time, a defensive player is the best player.

Richard Kaiser (1991-1995) was not only a heat wave on the football field, but in the classroom as well. Kaiser during his career compiled 106 tackles and six sacks. He was also one of the smartest football players as he was the only two-time Academic All-American (1994,1995) at WMU. He was a three-time Academic All-District (1993,94,95) and Academic All-MAC (1993,94,95).

Sophomore defensive end Jarrell McKinney will wear number 98 for the Broncos this season.

Behind the Numbers #99

"We've got 99 problems, but football isn't one" is what the famous rapper Jay-Z should have said when talking about WMU football and #99. Ever since 1976 and defensive tackle George Czirr, WMU players have had no problems showing statistical success on the field.

WMU players that have worn number 99 have succeeded on the field with no problems compiling 452 tackles and 31.5 sacks. To keep the theme going and for the final time in the Behind the Numbers series, here is the best player to wear number 99.

Dan Falcon (1995-1998) soared to new heights as a defensive tackle at WMU. Falcon amassed 155 tackles and five sacks during his career. He was Second Team All-MAC in 1997 and the following year was First Team All-MAC. 

Senior defensive end Paul Hazel will have no problems wearing number 99 for the Broncos this season. Hazel compiled 84 tackles and 13.5 sacks during his career. Last season he recorded 26 tackles and 2.5 sacks.