GAME 9: 
WESTERN MICHIGAN (2-6, 1-4 MAC) vs. EASTERN MICHIGAN  (4-4, 2-2 MAC)
 
Date: Oct. 28, 2023
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Location: Athens, Ohio
Stadium: Rynearson Stadium (30,200)
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Bronco Media Network
Live Stats: https://www.emueagles.com
All-Time Series: WMU leads 34-22-2

THIS WEEK
A trophy is on the line! Western Michigan begins its quest for the Michigan MAC Trophy this Saturday at Eastern Michigan. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on ESPN+, with Michael Reghi and Marcus Ray on the call. Robin Hook and John Creek have the call on the Bronco Media Network.

THE MATCH UP
- Saturday is the 59th meeting between Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan, with the Broncos leading the all-time series at 34-22-2. 
- EMU has won each of the last four games, it's longest winning streak in the series that dates back to 1906.  
- Western Michigan's last win at Eastern Michigan was back in 2017, a 20-17 win in overtime. 

THE MICHIGAN MAC TROPHY
The Michigan MAC Trophy was created in 2005 by the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. The trophy is awarded to the team with the best head-to-head record between WMU, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. In the event of each team going 1-1, the previous holder retains the trophy. The Eagles are the current holder after going 2-0 against the Broncos and the Chippewas last season. 

Western Michigan has not held the trophy since the 2020 season but has held the trophy six times since 2014. WMU's seven titles are the most, with CMU at six and EMU at 5.

SWAT TEAM
Western Michigan has had a season-high in passes defended (pass breakups and interceptions) in each of the last two games. Two weeks ago, against Miami (OH), the Broncos broke up seven passes and had one interception to establish a new season high. Last Saturday against Ohio, the Broncos broke up eight passes. 

Keni-H Lovely leads the team with seven passes defended with two interceptions and five breakups. Tate Hallock is right behind him with six on two interceptions and four break ups. Hallock is one of five Broncos that have four break ups so far this season, joined by Aaron Wofford, Damari Roberson, Jacob Wahlberg and Anthony Romphf.

ACCURACY WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN A LONG TIME, A LONG TIME
Hayden Wolff started his first game at quarterback for the Broncos at Ohio after playing in three previous games. Through the four games he is 73-for-106 passing for 698 yards and four touchdowns. Wolff's completion percentage of 68.87 is on pace to be the highest by a Bronco quarterback since Zach Terrell posted a 69.8 in the famed 2016 season.  The second-highest since 2016 was posted in 2020 by Kaleb Eleby at 64.7 percent. 

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
- Eastern Michigan heads into Saturday's game 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play. EMU has wins over Ball State and Kent State and losses at Central Michigan and at Northern Illinois. 
- The Eagles have got it done with their defense so far this season, allowing just 19.5 points per game, ranking in 31st in the nation. Sixth-year senior Joe Sparacio leads the team with 83 tackles in eight games, along with 2.5 tackles for loss. Junior defensive back Bennett Walker leads the team with three interceptions, while defensive lineman Mikah Coleman has a team-high 4.0 sacks. 
- Junior Austin Smith leads an offense that averages 18.2 points per game and 251.5 yards of total offense. He has thrown for 1,103 yards on 108-of-190 passing with six touchdowns and five interceptions. Tanner Knue is the team's top receiver with 32 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns, all team highs. Samson Evans leads the team on the ground with 399 yards rushing on 93 carries and six touchdowns. 
- Eastern Michigan has one of the top kickers in the MAC with Jesus Gomez. Gomez is 8-for-10 so far this season, including 2-for-3 from 50+ yards and a long of 55.