KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan University Athletics has announced an agreement to play a non-conference football contest at Mississippi State on Oct. 7, 2023 in Starkville, Miss. Game time and broadcast network information is to be announced.
 
"We are excited to be able to add this storied program to our schedule on such a short timeline, and are appreciative of the efforts of Mississippi State to partner with us on this tremendous match-up and opportunity for our program," said WMU Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae.  "We look forward to our trip to Starkville in 2023."
 
The game will be the first ever between the two programs. The Broncos are 1-5 all-time against current Southeastern Conference teams. The last time WMU played a current member of the SEC was at Missouri in 2007, which was part of the Big 12 Conference at the time. The last matchup against an original SEC team was in 1999 at No. 4 Florida. The previous year, WMU head coach Tim Lester led the Broncos to a 27-24 victory at Vanderbilt as a junior quarterback on Oct. 10, 1998.
 
Spring practice has started in Kalamazoo in preparation for the 2022 season. The Broncos open the year on Friday, Sep. 2 at Michigan State in East Lansing, following a Quick Lane Bowl victory to cap the 2021 campaign.