STARKVILLE, Ms. – The Western Michigan football team fell short in its first-ever game at Mississippi State, 41-28, on Saturday afternoon at Davis Wade Stadium.
WMU kept the game close for the majority of it, three times getting within 10 points. Transfer quarterback Hayden Wolff had his best game as a Bronco, completing a career-high 27 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns. Kenneth Womack set a new career high with 12 receptions to lead the Broncos, picking up 113 yards receiving. Leroy Thomas had three catches for 61 yards and a highlight-reel touchdown reception. Tight end Austin Hence had five catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, while fellow tight end Blake Bosma caught his first touchdown of the season.
Sophomore safety Aaron Wofford had a career-high 13 tackles, while Keni-H lovely had seven to go with 1.5 tackles for loss.
Mississippi State jumped out to 17-0 lead with a touchdown and field goal in the first quarter and then a touchdown late in the second quarter.
Wolff was inserted late into the second quarter and immediately moved the Broncos down the field. The drive started on the 25 after a Bulldog score. Wolff connected with Malique Dieudonne on back-to-back plays to get the Broncos out near midfield. A run by Zahir Abdus-Salaam got the Broncos across midfield and Wolff connected with Womack for nine yards to get down to the 40. On third and one, Wolff went deep to Diuedonne and he was interfered with, pushing WMU to the 25. Five plays later Wolff threw it to Hence along the right sidelines to get the Broncos on the board.
The Broncos forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, with kicker Palmer Domschke recovering it but missed a 41-yard field goal as time expire in the half.
The teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, with MSU going first each time.
Mike Wright pushed MSU's lead to 24-7 with a 3-yard touchdown run to open the quarter.
Wolff then led the Broncos down the field on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 23-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Bosma, bringing WMU back within 10.
Seth Davis capped off a five-play, 51-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 31-14.
WMU responded with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by an 11-yard run by Abuds-Salaam to get the Broncos back within 10.
Mississippi State hit the big play to open the fourth quarter, with Will Rogers connecting with Freddie Roberson for a 36-yard score.
But the Broncos came back, once again, to cut it back to 10. This time the drive only took five plays, with WMU deciding to go for it on fourth and two from the MSU 25. Wolff went deep for Thomas and he mad a leaping catch to bring it down for the score from 25-yards out.
MSU kept WMU at bay the rest of the way and added a 49-yard field goal from Nick Barr with 4:12 to play.
Western Michigan returns home to host Miami on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. It's Homecoming for the Broncos, along with Hall of Fame Weekend. The game can be watched live on ESPN+ and heard live on the Bronco Media Network. Tickets are available at www.wmubroncos.com/tickets.
