Box Score IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The Western Michigan football team suffered its first-ever loss to Iowa, 59--3, at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Western Michigan's defense held the Iowa offense to just 160 yards in the first half but two punt returns for touchdowns by Kevonte Martin-Manley and an interception return for a touchdown changed the makeup of the game. The Hawkeyes scored 28 points in the second quarter to go into the half with a 38-3 lead.
The Broncos (0-4) forced two turnovers off of fumbles on the day by
Rontavious Atkins and
Mikhail Dubose. The forced fumble was Atkins' second of the season, while
Jabarai Bothwell and
Kyle Lark were credited with the fumble recoveries. The WMU defense has forced at least one fumble in each game so far this season.
Justin Currie led all tacklers with nine on the day, including one tackle-for-loss that helped hold Iowa to a field goal early in the first quarter. Atkins also had eight tackles to go with his forced fumble.
Travonte Boles recorded a sack on the day to go with five tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss.
Brian Fields led the Bronco offense with 116 total yards on the day. The senior running back finished with 15 carries for 58 yards and a team-best five receptions for 57 yards. Red-shirt freshman
Alec Moulton made his collegiate debut and made 3 catches for 28 yards, including an 18-yard grab on a pivotal fourth down that led to a Bronco field goal.
Iowa went up 10-0 in the first quarter on a field goal 20-yard field goal after 19-yard drive and then a 21-yard touchdown pass by Jake Rudock to Jacob Hillyer with 1:54 left in the first quarter. After the back-to-back punt returns
Andrew Haldeman kicked a 23-yard field goal to cap off a 22 yard drive and cut the lead to 24-3. It was Haldeman's third field goal of the season, staying a perfect three-for-three.
The Hawkeyes added 21 points in the second half to push the final score to 59-3.
Western Michigan opens up Mid-American Conference play on Saturday, Sept. 28 against Kent State at 7 p.m. at Waldo Stadium.
