Western Michigan heads to Mount Pleasant, Mich., for the annual Battle for the Victory Cannon against rival Central Michigan on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The game can be watched live on ESPN2 and heard live on the Bronco Media Network.
THE SERIES
Tuesday is the 95th meeting all-time between the Broncos and the Chippewas. The Broncos lead the all-time series 53-39-2, have won the last two meetings and have won the last six games played at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Between 2006 and 2010, the Chippewas won all five games, since then the Broncos are 10-3 in the rivalry game. Last season, Western Michigan retained the Victory Cannon after scoring 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 28-21 deficit.
While it's the 95th meeting, it is just the 17th Battle for the Victory Cannon. The Broncos have won the trophy 10 times to the Chippewas 6. The Victory Cannon Trophy was established as a nod to both WMU and CMU's ROTC programs that shoot off a cannon after its team scores.
DAZZLING DEBUTS
A lot of Broncos got their first taste of the Western Michigan/Central Michigan rivalry last season and many rose to the occasion. WMU quarterback
Hayden Wolff was 25-for-36 passing for 333 yards and three touchdowns. The 333 yards are his high as a Bronco and the most passing yards by a Western Michigan quarterback in the rivalry game since Kaleb Eleby threw for 382 in a wild 52-42 win at CMU in 2020.
Running back Jalen Buckley had 117 yards rushing on 23 carries and two touchdowns. His second touchdown of the night came in the fourth quarter, with Buckley taking it 52 yards to the house to tie the game up at 28-28.
Wide receiver Kenneth Womack had 12 catches for 135 yards in his first game against the Chippewas. The 135 yards is still his most as a Bronco since transferring from Sacred Heart ahead of the 2023 season.
WMU head coach Lance Taylor became the first Bronco Head Coach to secure the Victory Cannon Trophy in his first try.
TOP 10
Although junior running back Jaden Nixon had a rough outing in terms of running the ball in WMU's loss at Bowling Green last week, Nixon posted a career-high 94 yards on kickoff returns, giving him a total of 128 all-purpose yards.
That performance moved Nixon into the Top 10 in the nation in all-purpose yards per game, coming in at ninth with 139.20. Nixon has now amassed 1,392 all-purpose yards on the season, also a new career high. Nixon is also fifth in the nation in yards per carry at 7.07.
In addition to Nixon, the Broncos also hold Top 10 ratings in fewest penalties (7th) and most fumbles recovered (3rd), leading the MAC in both.
