KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan had 11 selections to the 2015 All-Mid American Conference team on Wednesday. The Broncos had three first-teamers, three second teamers and five third teamers. Jamauri Bogan had the most prestigious honor of the group, being named MAC Freshman of the Year, becoming the fourth straight Bronco to earn the award, the longest streak in conference history.
Bogan, a redshirt freshman led the Broncos rushing attack with 836 yards on 143 carries (5.8 avg.) and 12 touchdowns. Against Eastern Michigan, Bogan became the first Bronco since 2002 to have four rushing TDs in a single game. He had a stretch of 11 TDs over five games. He becomes the second straight Bronco running back to earn MAC Freshman of the Year after Jarvion Franklin earned the award last year.
Earning first-team honors were Willie Beavers, Corey Davis and Daniel Braverman. Beavers recently accepted an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl and received other invitations to the East-West Shrine Game and the NFL PA All-Star Game. He has started every game this season and was a Second-Team All-Conference selection last year.
Davis and Braverman have formed the top receiving duo, not only in the MAC but in the entire FBS. The two have combined for 185 receptions, most in the country and are the first FBS duo to go over 1,200 yards in the same season (Braverman – 1,270, Davis – 1,253), since 2010.
Davis is currently fourth in the country and ninth in the MAC with his 1,253 receiving yards. His 6.8 receptions per game ranks third in the league and 13th nationally while his 11 receiving TDs is third in the league and 11th nationally. Davis currently leads all active FBS players with 3,602 career receiving yards.
Braverman meanwhile is the only player in the FBS this season to have 100+ catches (103-2nd-in MAC/2nd in FBS), 1250+ yards (1,270 – 3rd in MAC/8th in FBS) and 12+ TD (12 TD-2nd in MAC/8th in FBS). His 103 receptions ranks ninth all-time in a single season in the MAC.
Second-Team honors went to Darius Phillips both as a cornerback and kick returner, and cornerback Ronald Zamort. Phillips started off the 2015 season in grand fashion, with a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown in the season opener against No. 5 Michigan State. He has 32 kick returns on the year for 749, an average of 23.4 yards per return.
As a cornerback, Phillips has learned quickly, making the transition from wide receiver to cornerback in the offseason. He leads the Broncos with five interceptions and 20 total passes defended, second most in the MAC and fifth in the country. His counterpart Zamort is also in the top-20 nationally with his 17 passes defended this season, ranking 18th in the country and sixth in the MAC.
Third team honors went to quarterback Zach Terrell, offensive lineman Taylor Moton, kicker Andrew Haldeman, safety Asantay Brown and the aforementioned MAC Freshman of the Year, Bogan.
Terrell led the Broncos to the second most-potent offense in the conference, averaging 480.9 yards per game as a team. Individually, he has thrown for 3,229 yards and 27 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 66.8 percent. He ranks in the top three in the MAC in TD passes (2nd), passing efficiency (2nd), completion percentage (3rd), passing yards (3rd) and total offense (3rd).
Moton has joined Beavers on the offensive line in starting every game, and led a Broncos ground game that is third in the conference and 35th in the country at 197.2 yards per game. Against Ohio this season, Western Michigan ran for 401 yards in the second half alone, the most in a single half this season. The Broncos are one of six teams nationally to have three different players that have rushed for 140 or more yards in a single game this year.
Haldeman has become the top kicker in the Broncos' record-books this season, with 56 career made field goals, most all-time. He has 328 career points, second most at Western Michigan and eighth most in the MAC. This year he is the top MAC field goal kicker in terms of percentage at 80.0 (16-of-20) and is 11-for-11 overall in his last five games.
Brown has been the top tackler for Western Michigan this season with 100. Against Central Michigan, Brown became the first player this season to have an interception forced fumble and fumble recovery. For the season, he had 3.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one sack.
Western Michigan claimed its first share of the MAC West title finishing 6-2 in conference play and 7-5 overall, following its first win over a ranked opponent, defeating No. 24 Toledo, 35-30, in the regular season finale last Friday. The Broncos have accepted a berth to the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 24 against Middle Tennessee State, and will be playing in a bowl in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history.
