THIS WEEK
The Western Michigan Broncos head on the road to Buffalo take on the Bulls, opening Mid-American Conference play on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Broadview Stadium. The game can be watched live on ESPN+ and heard live on the Bronco Media Network.
THE SERIES
- Western Michigan holds a 9-2 lead in the all-time series.
- The last meeting came in in 2024, with the Broncos taking down the Bulls 48-41 in Buffalo.
- The Broncos have won each of the last four games, with the last three of the series played at Broadview Stadium.
SCOUTING THE BULLS
The Bulls open up MAC play off of a 31-28 home-win over Robert Morris last Saturday. The win snapped a two-game skid that saw UB fall at FIU and at No. 14 Penn State. Buffalo's other win came at home in its season-opener against Albany, 21-17.
Buffalo's offense has averaged 21.25 points per game through the four games, averaging 315.8 yards of total offense. The Bulls have used two quarterbacks so far this season, with sophomore Jason Wright playing in three of the four games. Wright has thrown for 385 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Senior Elijah Holmes has played in two games, the win over Albany and the loss at FIU. Against Albany he was 26-for-47 for 189 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Messiah Burch leads the rushing attack with 246 yards through the four games, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Senior wide receiver Chance Morrow has more than double the receptions of anyone on the team with 25. The 6-foot-4 Morrow has 307 yards and has all six of Buffalo's touchdown receptions this season.
UB's defense has given up 33.25 points per game while allowing 426.2 yards per game. The Bulls have recorded four sacks, with four different players each recording one. Former Bronco Saveon Brown has one of those sacks and leads the team with 26 tackles. A former safety, now moved to linebacker, Brown also has the team's lone interception.
Buffalo has one of the top punters in the nation in Ethan Stumpf. Stumpf has averaged 46.19 yards per punt with a long of 62 and has landed seven inside of the 20. Oliver Hautanen has made five field goals on the season, including a 52-yarder.
NOTES ON LAST WEEK
- Senior cornerback
Joshua Franklin had a career-high 10 tackles against Boise State.
- Sophomore linebacker
Brenden Anes also had a career high in tackles, posting eight. Through his first four games he has 20 tackles on the season after recording five last season at Tennessee.
- Running backs
Jalen Buckley (4) and
Lolo Mataele (2) combined for six catches in the loss. It was the most catches by the Bronco running backs since Buckley (4) and Zahir Abdus-Salaam (2) caught six in a loss at Ohio back on Oct. 21, 2023.
- Running back
Cole Cabana scored his first collegiate touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
QUITE THE ROTATION
Western Michigan's defense normally only plays two linebackers at a time, but thanks to talent and rotation, four of them rank in the top five on the team in tackling. Junior college transfer
Justyce Betts currently has a slim lead with 26. Redshirt senior
Dillon Moore is just behind him with 25 and has a team-high 14 solo tackles.
Domanick Moon sits behind Moore in third with 23 tackles, while sophomore Tennessee transfer
Brenden Anes is tied for fifth on the team with 20. Only safety
Joey Pope (21) and cornerback
Joshua Franklin (20) have kept linebackers from dominating all the top spots.
ELBOW ROOM
29,700 fans packed Stafford-Smith Field at Waldo Stadium to see the Battle of the Broncos. It was the most fans at Waldo since the 2015 game against Michigan State, which drew 30,885. The previous-high was last season's game against Central Michigan, which drew an attendance of 29,299.
