KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan football team fell at home to Eastern Michigan, 45-23, at Waldo Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

EMU scored on its first three drives to put the Broncos (2-4, 1-1 MAC) in a 21-0 hole early on in the second quarter. WMU put together an 8-play 66-yard drive to get on the board on a one-yard touchdown run by La'Darius Jefferson to cut the lead to 21-7 with 8:19 left in the second quarter. 

Western Michigan stopped Eastern Michigan on the ensuing drive, getting the ball back on their own 16. The Broncos moved the ball to the EMU 44 before Jack Salopek was sacked and fumbled, with the Eagles taking over on their own 49. Three plays later Taylor Powell hit Hassan Beydoun for a 38-yard touchdown pass to put the Broncos down 28-7. 

The Eagles added another touchdown before the half to push the lead to 35-7 

Both teams punted to start the third quarter, but the Broncos responded to EMU's punt with a 12-play 79-yard drive that was capped off by a 25-yard touchdown pass from Salopek to Corey Crooms. 

The Eagles returned the kickoff to the WMU 7-yard line and scored three plays later when Powell hooked up with Beydoun again to push the lead to 42-13. 

The team's traded field goals, with WMU's Palmer Domschke connecting from 28 yards before Salopek found Blake Bosma for the touchdown for the game's final score.

Salopek finished 14-for-40 on the day for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Sean Tyler led WMU in rushing with 45 yards on 15 carries, while Bosma had a team-high five catches. Zaire Barnes led the Broncos with 11 tackles, including 10 solos. Sophomore defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had 10 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss.

The Broncos are back home on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against Ohio as Western Michigan celebrates Homecoming. WMU will also honor its 2022 WMU Athletics Hall of Fame Class. Tickets are available by calling 1-888-4-WMUTIX.