MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Western Michigan football season came to an end with the Broncos falling to South Alabama, 30-23, in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl at the Crampton Bowl late Saturday night.
 
WMU (6-7, 5-3 MAC), jumped out to a 10-0 lead after taking the opening drive down the field for a Jalen Buckley touchdown run and then adding a 37-yard field goal by Luka Zurak just 10 seconds into the second quarter.
 
After the Jaguars responded with a field goal, they used big plays to take the lead in the second quarter. USA quarterback Bishop Davenport threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Webb to tie the game up at 10-10 and then connected with Webb again, this time from 45 yards, to push ahead 16-10.
 
After an interception by WMU cornerback Joshua Franklin, Luka Zurak added his second field goal of the night to cut the lead to 16-13 with 13 seconds left in the second quarter.
 
USA stuck again on a big play, with Davenport running it in from 50 yards out to give the Jaguars a 23-13 lead with 4:18 left in the third quarter.
 
Western Michigan cut the lead down to three after Hayden Wolff marched the Broncos down the field and found Anthony Sambucci in the endzone for a seven-yard touchdown pass.
 
WMU's defense forced South Alabama to a fourth and short within Bronco territory on the ensuing drive, but Kentrel Bullock picked up the first down after a short rush. On the next play he ran it into the endzone from 22 yards to put the Jaguars up 30-20.
 
Western Michigan quickly moved down the field and into USA territory, but an intentional grounding penalty stalled the drive and forced WMU to settle for a field goal. Zurak nailed it from 48 yards to get the Broncos within a touchdown. WMU attempted the on-side kick but it was recovered by South Alabama. USA then ran out the clock.
 
Zurak's three field goals were a WMU bowl record. Wolff was 17-for-27 passing for 196 yards and a touchdown. Jaden Nixon led the Broncos rushing attack with 45 yards on 11 carries. Kenneth Womack had a team-high 89 yards on five receptions, while Sambucci had three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. Donald Willis had a game-high 10 tackles, with Damari Roberson making eight.