Football | November 02, 2017

Box Score KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan led 21-7 at halftime and 28-14 heading into the fourth quarter, but Central Michigan scored 21 unanswered points to stun WMU, 35-28 inside Waldo Stadium on Wednesday night. 

The Broncos dominated the game on the ground, totaling 315 yards, including 228 and two touchdowns from senior running back Jarvion Franklin. The Broncos managed just 42 yards passing however, playing in wet conditions and with freshman quarterback Reece Goddard under center in his first career start. 

It was Franklin's third 200-yard rushing game of his career while also eclipsing the century mark for the fourth straight game and 20th time in his career. Franklin also became Western Michigan's all-time leader for touchdowns in a career, breaking the mark of 52 set by last year's No. 5 overall NFL draft pick Corey Davis. On the fifth play from scrimmage he raced 47 yards up the right side for the record-breaking TD. 

All four touchdowns for WMU came on the ground with junior Jamauri Bogan and sophomore Davon Tucker each adding one. 

Franklin's second touchdown of the game came on a nine-yard run by Franklin in the third quarter to give WMU a 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. 

Western Michigan had a chance to stretch its lead for the second time in the game Central Michigan fumbled on a punt return. Three plays later however, CMU got the ball back after a high snap led to a Bronco turnover. 

The momentum continued to swing CMU's way in the fourth quarter. The Chippewas scored after a Bronco fumble and tied the score on a short drive following a tipped punt. CMU also pulled off a recovery on a low-driven kickoff that took the ball out of the hands of the Bronco offense.

CMU's game-winning score was a 77-yard touchdown pass over the middle on the first play of a drive with 2:37 left. In the final two minutes, Western Michigan got the ball to the CMU 46 before three incomplete passes and penalty forced the turnover on downs. 

It was the Chippewa's first victory over WMU since 2013. 

Western Michigan falls to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in MAC play and hosts Kent State in the final home regular season game on Wednesday, Nov. 8. 

In the second half the Chippewas outgained the Broncos, 327-88 and outscored WMU, 28-7. Quarterback Shane Morris finished the night going 12-for-30 for 243 yards with two passing and two rushing touchdowns. 

The first half was dominated by the Bronco defense as CMU collected just three first-downs in the half and was held without a first down for the first 13 minutes of action. Near the end of the first, Tucker scored his third touchdown of the season from eight yards out to give WMU a 14-0 lead. 

Midway through the second, WMU embarked on a 12 play drive that lasted 6:23, ending in a two-yard run by Bogan to give the Broncos a 21-7 lead into halftime. At the half, WMU had 269 total yards compared to CMU's, 82. 

Defensively, redshirt senior Malik Rucker had a team-high seven tackles for WMU. Seniors Asantay Brown and Caleb Bailey each recovered the fumbled punts.