DATE | Nov. 6, 2024
TIME | 7:00 PM ET
LOCATION | Kalamazoo, Mich.
VENUE | Waldo Stadium (30,000)
TV | ESPN2 
RADIO | Bronco Radio Network
LIVE STATS | WMUStats.com

THIS WEEK
It's #MACtion time! The Broncos host Northern Illinois on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. as their season shifts to mid-week games. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and the Bronco Media Network. Tickets are on-sale at www.wmubroncos.com/tickets.
 
THE SERIES
Wednesday is the 51st meeting between Western Michigan and Northern Illinois. After the Huskies blanked the Broncos 24-0 in DeKalb last season, WMU leads the series 27-22-0. NIU has won the last two games of the series, also picking up a 24-21 win in Kalamazoo in 2022.
 
UNSTOPPABLE FORCE VS. IMMOVABLE OBJECT
Wednesday's game between the Broncos and the Huskies pits the MAC's top scoring offense against the conference's top scoring defense. WMU's offense has averaged 34.0 points per game overall this season, and 44.8 in conference play. NIU's defense has allowed just 17.6 points per game overall this season, and 17.0 in conference play.
 
PROTECT THIS HOUSE
WMU has won three-straight home games for the first time since the 2019 season, when the Broncos went 6-0 at Waldo Stadium that season.
 
Western Michigan has averaged 48.3 points per game during those three wins and allowing just 25.3. A big reason for both the offensive and defensive output is WMU's defensive third down conversion rate. WMU has held opponents to converting just 25 percent (10/40) of its third downs. The Broncos have also forced seven turnovers in the three games. Something that additionally contribute to WMU's stingy third-down defense, the crowd. The Broncos have averaged over 22,000 per home game this season.
 
WMU's offense has been able to strike quickly at home this season, with 13 of the team's 19 touchdown drives being under two minutes.
 
AT THE TOP
In addition to being at the top of the standings, Western Michigan also leads the league in overall scoring offense (34.0 points per game), total offense (408.9 yards per game) and rushing offense (209.0 yards per game).
 
In just conference play, WMU is also at the top in scoring offense (44.8), total offense (479.0), rushing offense (240.0), third down conversions (49.0 percent, 24/49), and kickoff return average (29.3).
 
4-0
Western Michigan heads into Wednesday's clash with Northern Illinois with a 4-0 record in MAC play. It's the first time since 2018 that WMU has started off with a 4-0 conference record. The Broncos have not gone 5-0 in MAC play since the undefeated 2016 season.