MADISON, Wis. – The Western Michigan football team fell on the road in its season-opener, 28-14, at the University of Wisconsin on Friday night.
Down 13-7 late in the third quarter, WMU (0-1, 0-0 MAC) lined up for a field goal and ran a fake. Holder Ryan Millmore pitched it behind his head to Bronco kicker Palmer Domschke, and the junior ran 26 yards down to the UW four to give Western Michigan first and goal to start the fourth quarter. Two plays later, Jalen Buckley ran it into the endzone for his second touchdown of the night and give the Broncos a 14-13 lead with 14:15 to play.
WMU forced a punt on the Badgers' next drive but the punt bounced off a Bronco and Wisconsin recovered it at the 20 yard line. UW made quick work of the short field and Tawee Walker ran it in from the six. After a two-point conversion, Wisconsin took a 21-14 lead.
On the ensuing drive, the Broncos got it out to midfield but were stopped on a fourth and one attempt. The Badgers put together an eight-play, 50-yard touchdown drive that ate up 4:37 on the clock with Tayler Van Dyke running it in from six yards to push the lead to 28-14.
WMU attempted to mount a comeback with just 3:17 left to play, but a Hayden Wolff pass was intercepted in Wisconsin territory, letting the Badgers run out the clock.
Western Michigan's first touchdown came in the second quarter on a 16-play, 78-yard drive. The Badgers held the Broncos at the goal line, but WMU went or it on fourth down and Buckley ran it in from the one.
Buckley finished with 64 yards rushing on 16 carries and two touchdowns, while also making one catch for 24 yards. Malique Dieudonne had 45 yards receiving on two catches, while Blake Bosma had two catches for 23 yards.
Cornerback Bilahl Kone and linebacker Donald Willis led the team with 10 tackles each. Both had two pass breakups, while Willis had one of the team's five tackles for loss. Isaiah Green had the team's lone sack and also forced a fumble that was recovered by WMU's Tyson Lee.
The Broncos stay in Big 10 country, heading to No. 2 Ohio State next Saturday for a 7:30 kickoff. The game can be watched live on the Big Ten Network and heard live on the Bronco Media Network.
