Football | January 11, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan Division of Intercollegiate Athletics today announced contracts to play future road football games against Michigan, Iowa and Illinois.

The Broncos also have three previously scheduled games on the books with Michigan State, as Western Michigan is slated to play four Big Ten opponents in a total of six games over the next seven years.

In the newest agreements, Western Michigan will play Michigan on Sept. 4, 2021, Iowa on Sept. 2, 2023 and Illinois on Sept. 20, 2025. WMU faces Michigan State in 2019, 2022 and 2025, with all three of those games in East Lansing. The Broncos will receive guaranteed payouts for all six of its upcoming games against Big Ten opponents.

"Not only do these types of games offer great exposure for our student-athletes and our University, but they are also important in our financial sustainability," WMU Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard said. "We become a stronger program through these opportunities. We want to compete with these teams, and not only compete, but have success."

"We are excited for the opportunity to play Power 5 games in our region," WMU head coach Tim Lester said. "It allows our fans to travel well with the proximity of these schools to Kalamazoo and will bring the benefit of additional national exposure to our program."

Western Michigan's most recent Power 5 win is over Illinois, a 34-10 victory in Champaign in 2016. The Broncos topped two Big Ten schools that year, also defeating Northwestern, 22-21 in the season opener. WMU has won two of the last four matchups against the Illini, claiming a 23-17 victory at Ford Field in Detroit in 2008 as well.

Western Michigan is 2-1 all-time against Iowa, with wins in 2000 (27-21) and 2007 (28-19). The Broncos have two wins in their history against the Spartans and will be looking for their first ever victory against the Wolverines.

Other notable future contests for the Broncos include road games at Syracuse (2019) and Notre Dame (2020) and a home-and-home series with Cincinnati (2020, 2022).

Kickoff times and broadcast details will be announced at a later date. For more information on Western Michigan football, visit wmubroncos.com.


FUTURE WESTERN MICHIGAN FOOTBALL DATES:

2019
Saturday, Aug. 31 - home - vs. Monmouth
Saturday, Sept. 7 - away - at Michigan State ($1 million)
Saturday, Sep. 14 - home - vs. Georgia State
Saturday, Sep. 21 - away - at Syracuse

2020
Saturday, Sept. 12 - away - at Cincinnati
Saturday, Sept. 19 - away - at Notre Dame

2021
Saturday, Sept. 4 - away - at Michigan ($1.4 million)

2022
Saturday, Sept. 3 - away - at Michigan State ($1.5 million)
Saturday, Sept. 10 - home - vs. Cincinnati

2023
Saturday, Sept. 2 - away - at Iowa ($1.5 million)

2025
Saturday, Aug. 30 - away - at Michigan State ($1.5 million)
Saturday, Sept. 20 - away - at Illinois ($1.5 million)