Football | October 22, 2018

Western Michigan (6-2, 4-0 MAC)
vs. Toledo (3-4, 1-2 MAC)
Oct. 25, 2018 • 7 PM ET
Waldo Stadium (30,200) • Kalamazoo, Mich.

TV: ESPN2
TV Talent: Radio: Bronco Radio Network - 96.5 FM

COACHING FACTS
WMU Head Coach: Tim Lester (Western Michigan, 2000)
Record at Western Michigan: 12-8 (2nd Season)
Career Record: 52-31 (8th season)

Toledo Head Coach: Jason Candle (Mount Union, 2003)
Record at TOL: 24–11 (3rd season)
Career Record: Same

STORYLINES
• After starting the season with Power 5 losses to Syracuse and then ranked No. 21 Michigan, the Broncos have rebounded to win their last six games in a row, defeating Delaware State (68-0), Georgia State (34-15), Miami (40-39), Eastern Michigan (27-24), Bowling Green (42-35) and Central Michigan (35-10).

• The Broncos are bowl eligible for a program-record fifth straight season. WMU is currently one of three MAC teams without a conference loss this season, joining Buffalo and Northern Illinois. It's the third time in the last four years that WMU has begun MAC play 4-0.

• WMU has had to come back from second half deficits in the first three MAC wins this season. WMU has only led in two of the four MAC games at the half vs. Eastern Michigan (14-10), Central Michigan (21-0).

• Western Michigan is in a stretch of games where the team plays three games over a 13-day span. Thursday will mark the Broncos' second game in six days.
WMU at Central Michigan - Oct. 20 (W, 35-10)
WMU vs. Toledo - Oct. 25
WMU vs. Ohio - Nov. 1

• WMU will play midweek games for its final four games of the season, playing two Thursday contests, followed by two Tuesday night contests. The Broncos are home for three of its last four games (home vs. Toledo, Ohio, NIU; at Ball State).

• The Broncos have 11 scoring drives of 10 plays of more this season, resulting in nine touchdowns and two field goals. WMU has nine scoring drives of three plays or less, all resulting in TDs.

• Tim Lester is in his second season as head coach at WMU and is one of 22 FBS coaches leading their alma mater. Lester was an All-MAC quarterback for the Broncos, playing from 1996-99. He was the 1996 MAC Freshman of the Year and led WMU to the 1999 MAC Championship game. Lester threw for 11,299 yards and 87 career TDs. This will be his 84th game as a head coach, also coaching at the Division II and III levels. Lester was an assistant coach at Western Michigan from 2005-06.

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 73rd all-time meeting between WMU and Toledo, with the Broncos trailing in the all-time series, 30-42. Toledo is the defending MAC champion and defeated Western Michigan in the Broncos' final game of 2017 in the Glass Bowl, 37-10. The last time they met in Kalamazoo in 2016, WMU walked away with a 55-35 win. The Broncos also defeated the Rockets in 2015 (35-30), when Toledo was ranked No. 24 in the nation, which was WMU's first ever win over a top-25 ranked opponent.

BELLAMY PACES OFFENSE AT CMU, TROPHIES RETURN TO KALAMAZOO
On a rainy, windy day that made passing difficult, the Western Michigan running game took over in a 35-10 victory over rival Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant this past Saturday. Junior running back LeVante Bellamy had 145 yards rushing and one touchdown on 19 carries. He averaged 7.6 yards per carry in the game. The Broncos had 356 yards of total offense and 305 of that came on the ground. It was the second-straight game Bellamy has rushed for 145 yards and his fourth game this season with 100-plus yards. He leads the MAC averaging 102.6 yards per game and is 6th in the FBS with 821 total yards this season. With the victory, Western Michigan regained possession of the Victory Cannon Trophy, as well as the Michigan MAC Trophy.

GRACE NAMED MAC WEST DEFENSIVE POTW
Alex Grace was named the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week  team-high 11 tackles (9 solo), one pass breakup and his first career interception in the Broncos' 35-10 victory over rival Central Michigan. Grace's interception was a key stop in the game. The Broncos had built a 21-0 lead at halftime, but Central Michigan was gaining momentum, outscoring the Broncos 10-0 in the third quarter. Grace's interception came with 12:42 left in the game, at the CMU 40. Four plays later WMU was able to convert the turnover into a touchdown, increasing their lead to 28-10.

Through the first eight weeks of the season, Western Michigan has had six different players recognized as conference players of the week. (see page 6). QB Jon Wassink has also been twice named the MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week.

SCOUTING REPORT
• Toledo is coached by Jason Candle, who is in his third full season as head coach of the Rockets. Candle also stepped up as an offensive coordinator to coach Toledo to a win at the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl. Candle has a 24–11 overall, 14–5 MAC record in his three seasons. Toledo took second in the MAC West behind Western Michigan in his first season at the helm in 2016 and won the West Division and the MAC Championship last year in 2017. Candle was a wide receiver at Mount Union, graduating in 2003 and won two Division III national titles.

• Toledo enters the game with a 3-4 overall and 1-2 MAC record. The Rockets are coming off losses in back-to-back weeks to Eastern Michigan (28-26) and Buffalo (31-17).

• The Rockets lead the MAC in scoring with 39.3 points per game and are fourth in total offense with 416.4 yards per game.

• Junior Mitchell Guadagni and sophomore Eli Peters have split time at quarterback this season. Guadagni has thrown for 11 touchdowns and 913 yards. He is also the top running threat with a team-high 378 yards, with three touchdowns. Peters has thrown for 564 yards and six TDs. The Rockets return three All-MAC wide receivers in Diontae Johnson, Jon'Vea Johnson and Cody Thompson. Diontae Johnson and Thompson are tied with six touchdowns this season.

LOOKING AHEAD
After the Toledo contest, Western Michigan hosts MAC East opponent Ohio next Thursday, Nov. 1. Tickets start at $16 and are available at wmubroncos.com/tickets.