KALAMAZOO, Mich. – For the seventh time in the last nine years, the Victory Cannon will stay in Kalamazoo as Western Michigan defeated in-state rival Central Michigan, 31-15, on Saturday afternoon inside Waldo Stadium.

The Broncos amassed 432 yards of total offense, gaining 244 through the air and 188 on the ground. WMU's defense held CMU to 107 rushing yards and just 15 points, all coming in the fourth quarter.

Junior linebacker Treshaun Hayward led the Broncos defensively with a game-high 11 tackles (7 solo) and a fumble recovery, followed by fellow junior A.J. Thomas with 10 tackles (6 solo). WMU forced three turnovers against the Chippewas with sophomore Patrick Lupro and senior Justin Tranquill earning interceptions. It was Tranquill's third career interception and second against the Chippewas.

Senior LeVante Bellamy was the workhorse for the Bronco offense, rushing 25 times for 105 yards and a touchdown. It's the third-straight game Bellamy has went over 100 yards. Senior Jon Wassink also added a rushing touchdown along with a game-high 41-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter to set up WMU's final touchdown of the game. 

Wassink on the day was 18-for-29 for 244 yards and two total touchdowns. Wassink's 43-yard touchdown pass to senior Giovanni Ricci midway through the second quarter marked the fifth-straight game with at least one TD pass for Wassink, who has now completed one pass of 40 or more yards in each game this season.

Seven different receivers earned a reception against CMU with fifth year senior Keith Mixon Jr. leading the way with a career-high six receptions for 62 yards. Ricci was the lone Bronco to have a receiving score, his Mid-American Conference fifth of the year. Ricci finished with three receptions for 65 yards.

Central Michigan received the ball to start the game and had the it on its own 49 yard-line before Lupro picked off CMU quarterback David Moore at the Broncos' 41. Two quick passes to freshman Skyy Moore moved the ball down to CMU's 10-yard line before a short loss and then an 11-yard touchdown run by Bellamy to open the scoring, 7-0 after junior Thiago Kapps nailed the extra point.

On the ensuing drive, the Chippewas marched deep into Western Michigan territory, but WMU's defense shut the drive down after Central's Kobe Lewis was stopped for no gain by Thomas and Drake Spears on a fourth-and-three from the WMU nine yard-line. WMU scooted down the field in response and capped off an 11-play, 83-yard drive with a 25-yard field goal from Kapps to push the lead to 10-0.

Later in the second quarter, WMU pushed its lead to 17-0 on a quick scoring drive. The Bronco defense had pinned the Chippewas deep in their own territory, forcing a punt that gave Western Michigan the ball on CMU's 43. After a penalty on each team, Wassink found Ricci over the middle and the tight end broke two tackles before going the full 43-yards for the touchdown.

WMU took a 17-0 lead into the half and stalled on the opening drive of the third quarter. CMU pushed the ball into Western Michigan territory before Anton Curtis forced a fumble on the WMU 39, popping the ball out of Lewis' hands. Hayward pounced on it to gain possession. The Broncos slowly moved down the field and took advantage of Chippewa penalties. Western Michigan faced a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line and Wassink ran it in to push the lead to 24-0.

After Central Michigan got on the scoreboard with a one-yard run from Lewis and Ryan Tice 29-yard field goal, freshman Sean Tyler scored in his third consecutive game with an 11-yard run to make it a 31-9 Bronco advantage. 

The Chippewas scored one more time as Moore connected with Jacorey Sullivan for a 34-yard touchdown with 3:29 to play. 

Western Michigan begins MAC action at 1-0 for the fifth consecutive year and improves its overall record to 3-2. The Broncos are on the road next weekend at preseason MAC West favorite Toledo on Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. kick on ESPN+. 

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