KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan redshirt junior quarterback
Broc Lowry and redshirt senior running back
Jalen Buckley have been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List.
The Maxwell Award is presented to the nation's player of the year, as voted upon by sportscasters, sportswriters, coaches and members of the Maxwell Football Club. The award enters its 89th season and was first awarded to Yale's Clint Frank back in 1937. Western Michigan is the only school from the MAC to have two players on the Maxwell Award Watch List and only Akron running back Jordan Gant joins the Bronco duo on the list from the conference.
Lowry is the reigning Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year after helping lead the Broncos to a MAC Championship and a win in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Lowry, who played in all 14 games and made 11 starts, finished the season with 1,803 yards passing with nine touchdowns and rushed for 963 yards and 14 touchdowns. Both the rushing yards and rushing touchdowns are the most by a Bronco quarterback in a single season in program history.
Buckley was a Third Team All-MAC selection after rushing for 1,003 yards and nine touchdowns, culminating with being named the MAC Championship Game Offensive MVP after rushing for 193 yards and two touchdowns. He wrapped up the season by being named the Myrtle Beach Bowl MVP after rushing for 174 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries in the win over Kennesaw State. Buckley, who was a member of the Maxwell Award Watch List last season, enters his final season at WMU currently ranked ninth in program history in career rushing yards with 2,716.
Lowry, Buckley and the rest of the Broncos open the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 at the University of Michigan at 7:30 p.m. on NBC. WMU's home-opener is Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. against Monmouth. Tickets to all WMU home games are on sale now at www.wmubroncos.com/tickets.
