KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A 24-yard field goal from redshirt sophomore Gavin Peddie with 2:23 remaining proved to be the game-winner as Western Michigan football remained perfect with a 30-27 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday inside Waldo Stadium.

Tied at 27 with 3:44 remaining and the ball at the 50-yard line the Broncos executed a six play, 43-yard drive down to the NIU seven-yard line to set-up the eventual game-winning field goal. The drive started with a 14-yard completion to redshirt senior wide out D'Wayne Eskridge followed by a reverse to Eskridge that went for 27 yards. After two straight running plays and an incomplete pass, Peddie drilled a 24-yard field goal to give WMU a 30-27 lead.

On the ensuing NIU possession the Huskies were faced with a third and three from their own 34-yard line where redshirt sophomore linebacker Ryan Selig earned his first sack of the season to force a fourth and seven for NIU. On the next play, junior cornerback Patrick Lupro broke up a pass at the first down marker to seal the victory for the Brown & Gold.

The Broncos were held to 325 total yards compared to NIU's 350. The Huskies dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 40 minutes and running 80 plays. Western Michigan had the ball for just 20 minutes and ran 49 plays in the win. The Bronco defense held NIU to just 10 points in the second half and 147 yards of offense.

Reigning MAC West Offensive Player of the Week D'Wayne Eskridge had yet another stellar performance. Eskridge notched a season-high 285 all-purpose yards with seven receptions for 134 yards. The senior wide receiver also had three kick returns for 124 yards including a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown. The first kick return for a touchdown since Darius Phillips at Michigan State back in Sept. 9, 2017.

The Bronco defense had a trio of players with double digit tackles as seniors A.J. Thomas and Treshaun Hawyard led the team with 12 each. Redshirt senior Bricen Garner also had 10 tackles to go along with 1.5 tackles for loss, a half a sack and three pass break-ups. Senior Ralph Holley led WMU with two sacks against the Huskies, the third time in his career Holley has registered at least two sacks.

As a team the Broncos recorded five sacks and 13 tackles for loss with six pass break-ups. The 13 tackles for loss is tied for the most in a game under head coach Tim Lester.

Through the air redshirt sophomore quarterback Kaleb Eleby was 12-of-24 for 210 yards with one passing and rushing touchdown. On the ground junior running back La'Darius Jefferson posted 15 rushes for 81 yards and one touchdown. Jefferson's 41-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was his longest run of the season.

With the win Western Michigan improves its overall record to 4-0. It's the fourth time in the last six seasons WMU has been 4-0 in Mid-American Conference play. WMU returns to the field on Saturday, Dec. 5 in its home finale against in-state foe Eastern Michigan. Kick-off is set for 2:00 p.m. on ESPN Plus.

NIU started off the game with a 12-play drive that last over five minutes en route to a 38-yard field goal to give the Huskies an early lead. The Broncos responded back quickly with a three play, 75-yard drive that took 42 seconds, highlighted by a 43-yard rushing touchdown from Jefferson.

It was the Broncos' only drive of the first quarter as NIU then embarked on an 18-play, 75-yard drive that lasted over nine minutes, ending in a three-yard touchdown pass. On the 18-play drive, Northern Illinois converted three fourth down attempts, highlighted by a fake punt.

Later in the second quarter trailing 10-7, Eleby called his own number for a one-yard rushing touchdown to give WMU a 13-10 lead after a missed extra point. After NIU regained the lead, senior D'Wayne Eskridge returned the Huskie kick-off 100 yards for a touchdown to propel the Broncos back in front. It was the eighth 100-yard kick return for a touchdown in school history.

The Bronco offense was stagnant in the third quarter with all five possessions ending in punts. In the third WMU garnered just 21 total yards to NIU's 114. The Huskies regained the lead in the quarter with an eight play, 80-yard touchdown drive to take a 24-20 lead heading into the fourth.

Northern Illinois extended its lead to 27-20 with 10 minutes remaining after a 13-play drive resulted in a 40-yard field goal. On the Broncos, next possession Eleby found sophomore Skyy Moore wide open down the middle of the field to tie the game at 27. It was Moore's second receiving touchdown of the season.

The two teams traded punts before WMU regained the ball at the 50-yard line thanks to a penalty on the NIU punt team.  In two plays the Broncos were in the red zone as Eskridge hauled in a 14-yard reception followed by a 27-yard rush. Three plays later Peddie connected on a 24-yard field goal to propel the Broncos in front.

The WMU defense forced a turnover on downs the next possession as Lupro recorded his only pass break-up of the game to secure the 30-27 victory for the Broncos.

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