SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Western Michigan football team wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a 52-33 loss to Syracuse at the Syracuse Dome on Saturday afternoon.
 
Senior quarterback Jon Wassink threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns, while senior running back LeVante Bellamy ran for 165 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Senior tight end Giovanni Ricci had a career-high eight receptions and a touchdown for a personal-best 105 yards, while sophomore Jaylen Hall caught four balls for 93 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown.
 
The Bronco defense forced two turnovers on the day, both fumbles. Junior safety A.J. Thomas and junior linebacker Treshaun Hayward led the team in tackles with 11 each, while Timothy Collins and Antonio Balabani each recorded sacks.
 
WMU (2-2) went into the locker room down 24-13 and the Orange (2-2) added a touchdown early in the third quarter to push the lead to 31-13. The Broncos responded quickly with Bellamy's second 40-plus yard touchdown run of the day, this time for 43-yards out to cut into the lead. Syracuse responded again with a touchdown, extending its advantage to 38-19.
 
Western Michigan's offense stuck quickly on a three-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a 60-yard touchdown reception by Hall, shortening the deficit to 38-26.
 
On the ensuing drive, the Broncos forced a turnover after Ali Fayad stripped Abdul Adams at the Syracuse 35. Patrick Lupro jumped on the loose ball and Western Michigan scored soon after on an eight-yard touchdown run by Sean Tyler to make it a 38-33 affair.
 
The Orange pushed the lead to 45-33 early in the fourth quarter on Tommy DeVito's fourth touchdown pass of the game with 8:45 left.
 
Syracuse's defense kept the Broncos off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter and Moe Neal added his second score of the night with 3:04 left to go.
 
Western Michigan returns back to Kalamazoo for the Battle for the Cannon against Central Michigan on Saturday at 12 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear black. Tickets are available by calling 1-888-4-WMUTIX and visiting www.wmubroncos.com/tickets. The game will also be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.













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