KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck wrapped up the regular season, engineering one of the best turnarounds in college football history.
The Broncos went from 1-11 (1-7 MAC) in 2013 to 8-4 (6-2 MAC) for the biggest turnaround in both WMU and Mid-American Conference history. With the success came bowl eligibility for the first time since 2011. WMU's bowl destination will be announced on Dec. 7.
In 2014 the Broncos....
- Head Coach P.J. Fleck (the youngest head coach in FBS) was featured, along with the Broncos, in the USA Today, SI.com and was shadowed by an ESPN.com reporter.
- Produced the MAC's top scoring offense that averaged 34.6 points per game and ranked 29th in the nation.
- Had the third-best scoring defense in the MAC and the 38th best in the country, allowing just 23.8 points per game.
- Produced the nation's top freshman running back in Jarvion Franklin. Franklin rushed for a WMU freshman record 1,525 yards and finished the regular season second in the nation in scoring after 24 rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown (all WMU records for single-season scoring and touchdowns). Franklin was also named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week four times during the season.
- Sophomore quarterback Zach Terrell finished with career highs in every passing category but ranked first in the MAC with a 70-percent completion percentage, that also ranked fifth in the nation. In a performance against Eastern Michigan he completed 17 of 19 passes for 357 yards and four touchdown passes. The performance resulted in a QB rating of 99.6 was the second-best single game rating in the last 10 seasons.
- Led by Terrell, WMU's passing efficiency ranked first in the MAC and fifth in the nation.
- WMU cornerback duo of Donald Celiscar and Ronald Zamort led the country in passes defended (pass breakups + interceptions) with 1.8 per game this season.
- WMU sophomore wide receiver Corey Davis became the seventh Bronco in program history to break 1,000 yards receiving. His 1,232 yards ranked second in the MAC and sixth in the nation. His 12 touchdown receptions led the MAC and tied him for fourth-most in FBS this season.
- The Broncos rattled off an impressive six-game winning streak, which included four road MAC wins. During the streak WMU outscored opponents 234-110, forced 13 turnovers and recorded 21 sacks.
- Western Michigan won two trophies in one game after a 32-20 win over Central Michigan, earning the Michigan MAC Trophy and the Victory Cannon.
- The Broncos earned 11 MAC West Player of the Week Awards. Franklin led the way with fourth, while Cleveland Smith, Ronald Zamort, J. Schroeder, Corey Davis, Trevor Ishmael, Zach Terrell and Donald Celiscar each earned one. The 11 were the most by any MAC school this season.
