Football | October 21, 2017

Box Score YPSILANTI, Mich.- Western Michigan improved to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-American Conference with a 20-17 overtime win on the road at Eastern Michigan Saturday.

After missing what would have been a game-winning 37-yard field goal at the end of regulation freshman Josh Grant got a shot at redemption and nailed a 21-yarder through the goalposts in overtime.

Switching over to defense up 20-17 in overtime the Broncos were called for a pair of penalties that helped Eastern Michigan (2-5, 0-3 MAC) reach the two before Caleb Bailey and Robert Spillane stuffed EMU on back-to-back tackles. Eagles' kicker Paulie Fricano's field goal try just shaved the outside of the right goalpost, cementing Western Michigan's win.

Western Michigan senior running back Jarvion Franklin had his third straight 100-yard rushing game with 104 yards on 24 carries. He became Western Michigan's all-time career rusher with 4,281 yards, breaking Robert Sanford's previous record of 4,219. Franklin had a 7-yard touchdown run that put WMU up 17-10 in the third quarter for his 52nd career TD. The touchdown followed an interception deep down the field by the Broncos' Samuel Beal.

WMU took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on a 36-yard field goal by Grant and led 10-7 at halftime. Quarterback Jon Wassink found sophomore wide receiver Keishawn Watson for an 11-yard touchdown up the left sideline with 58 seconds remaining before the half.

Eastern Michigan tied the score twice in the second half, pulling even at 10-10 in the third quarter and 17-17 in the fourth quarter.

Wassink took a hard hit in the fourth quarter and was forced to leave the game. Freshman quarterback Reece Goddard managed the remainder of the contest for the Broncos. Wassink was 16-for-24 passing for 190 yards and one touchdown before his exit.

Senior tight end Donnie Ernsberger picked up several key gains and third down conversions for Western Michigan. Ernsberger caught six passes for 91 yards, both career highs.

The Broncos had just 60 yards rushing at the half and finished with 220 in the game. WMU had 422 yards of total offense while Eastern Michigan totaled 459.

WMU's defense had an interception and two fumble recoveries for three takeaways. The Broncos had nine tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries. Spillane led the team with 12 tackles. Stefan Claiborne and Malik Rucker each had 10 and Bailey recorded nine.

Western Michigan has a 10-day break before its next contest, hosting rival Central Michigan on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.