Football | November 15, 2018

- Feature special to wmubroncos.com by Paul Morgan -

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The brotherhood of seniors on the 2018 Western Michigan football team will share their final game at Waldo Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 20. The Broncos host Northern Illinois on Senior Night at 7 p.m.

The group is center John Keenoy, tight end Odell Miller, running back Jamauri Bogan, running back/special teams captain Leo Ekwoge, wide receiver Drake Harris, defensive lineman Eric Assoua, defensive lineman Ken Finley, offensive lineman Curtis Doyle, offensive lineman Zach Novoselsky, and defensive lineman Steven Clark, who missed the season because of medical reasons.

And that's it … nine playing seniors on a Western Michigan team which features 49 freshmen and redshirt freshmen.

''This is a special class because of what we've accomplished since we've been here,'' Miller said.

''We are all very close,'' Keenoy added. ''We've won a MAC Championship for Western Michigan University and have done a lot together as a brotherhood.''

Many of the group redshirted in 2014 and then helped the Broncos to an 8-5 record in 2015. Western Michigan earned a spot in the Bahamas Bowl and beat Middle Tennessee State, 45-31, for the first bowl win in WMU history.

The group was also a big factor in the 2016 season, which saw WMU win the Mid-American Conference championship, earn a berth in the Cotton Bowl and finish the season ranked No. 15 by the Associated Press with a 13-1 overall record.

So far, the four-year record for the seniors is 33-17. WMU is also bowl-eligible for a fifth straight year.

And the best is yet to come because many already have their bachelor's degree in hand and are working towards a master's degree. Six of the 10 Bronco seniors currently have undergraduate degrees and the other four are closing in.

A four-year starter at center and two-time All-MAC selection, Keenoy has a very realistic chance of hearing his name called in the NFL Draft, which would make him the fourth WMU offensive lineman drafted in the last four-straight years. When he is done with his football, Keenoy will be more than equipped to start his career off the field. Keenoy earned his bachelor's in business administration last April and is currently working on his MBA.

''When head coach (Tim) Lester got the job (in 2017), we embraced the culture, especially in the classroom,'' Keenoy said.

Miller will graduate in December with a degree in exercise science, wanting to go into physical therapy.

 ''The seniors are unbelievable people with great work ethic,'' Lester said. ''You need those ground soldiers who believe in the culture, who invent the culture, who define the culture and then hold us accountable for the culture.''

Miller came in as a defensive end, then was switched to tight end, then went back to defensive end and then is now a blocking machine as a tight end again.

Bogan is one of the players who has benefited from the blocking. Last game he recorded his 40th career rushing TD, moving him into second place all-time at Western Michigan. Entering Senior Night, the 2015 MAC Freshman of the Year ranks sixth at WMU in career rushing with 3,202 yards. He too is working towards his MBA.

Ekwoge is so important to the team on special teams that he is a player many of the freshmen on special teams try to emulate. Harris came to Western Michigan this season as a graduate player from Michigan and has caught 27 passes, averaging almost 10 yards per reception.

Assoua has been one of WMU's top end rushers and has eight career sacks. Finley has rotated in the defensive line the last four seasons and has appeared in nine game this year. Playing one season at WMU last year, Clark registered 27 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Rounding out the group are the other two offensive linemen in Doyle and Novoselsky.

''Curtis and Zach are going to be successful off the field because they are incredible teammates,'' Lester said. ''Both had season-ending injuries last year and during their recovery process other linemen stepped up. When they returned, they knew because of their time away they were now in a real competition for playing time. Both understood that and neither were negative about it. They play in a rotation with two other players and it made our offensive line that much stronger."

This is what a team is about. It's not about the individual.

''The juniors have taken a lot from the seniors. It's crazy how young we are and some of those freshmen are growing so fast because of the leadership style of our juniors and seniors.''

One of the goals of the seniors this season was to make sure they just didn't hang around together, which is normal. They would talk a lot to the freshmen and sophomores.

''It was their goal, not mine, but I knew that would be helpful in getting those new guys comfortable on the team,'' Lester said. ''Once they are comfortable on the team, they are comfortable on the field and comfortable in the classroom.

The seniors are making sure the underclassmen are enjoying their short time together.

''It feels like yesterday that I was going through my first winter conditioning and I couldn't wait for it to end,'' Keenoy, who is from East Kentwood, said with a laugh. ''Now, I wish I could go back … it goes too fast.''

Miller, a local product from Gull Lake, added: ''The past five years went by so fast. I'm excited for this game with the guys and it could be my last opportunity to play football.''

Lester is looking at this group and can't wait to see what they will accomplish after this season.

''We have guys who could be CEOs of companies, it will be fun to hear about them when they come back.

 ''I love this group of seniors,'' Lester said.