DATE | Sept. 12, 2026
TIME | 6:30 PM ET
LOCATION | Kalamazoo, Mich.
VENUE | Stafford-Smith Field at Waldo Stadium
TV | ESPN+
RADIO | Bronco Media Network
LIVE STATS | WMU.Statbroadcast.com
THIS WEEK
Western Michigan welcomes Monmouth for its annual CommUniverCity night on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+ and the Bronco Media Network.
LAST WEEK
Moving on...
THE SERIES
- Saturday is the second all-time meeting between the Broncos and the Hawks.
- The first meeting came back on Aug. 31, 2019 in Kalamazoo. The Broncos defeated the Hawks 48-13.
- Western Michigan is 3-0 against FCS opponents under head coach
Lance Taylor. In those wins, WMU has scored an average of 47.0 points.
SCOUTING THE HAWKS
Monmouth enters the weekend 1-1 on the season, dropping its season-opener at No. 15/14 Tennessee Tech, 38-14. MU rebounded and picked up an early conference win against Sacred Heart, 31-24, last Saturday.
Monmouth is led by first-year head coach Jeff Gallow, who replaces Kevin Callahan after 33 years at the helm after the founding of the team. Gallow is a Monmouth alum, former player, and has been on the coaching staff since 2005. The last seven years he served as the offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. With Gallow as the offensive coordinator, Monmouth has not averaged below 32 points per game.
The Hawks return several key players on offense from last season's 9-3 team. Quarterback Frankie Weaver played in six games last season, throwing for 1,355 yards and 14 touchdowns. Wide receiver Gavin Nelson is a preseason all-conference selection and has 1,385 career receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Fellow wideout Tra Neal was a Freshman All-American in 2024 and has 999 career receiving yards with 14 touchdowns.
On defense, the Hawks return All-American defensive back Jaeden Jones, who finished last season with 118 tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss.
NOTES FROM LAST WEEK THAT MOSTLY DO NOT INVOLVE A CLOCK, BUT ONE THAT DOES
- TOP DOMINATION: Western Michigan finished its game against Michigan with 40:08 in time of possession. The last time WMU reached 40:00 was against Northern Illinois back on Nov. 23, 2021. The Broncos finished with a 41:57-18:03 advantage in a 42-21 win over the Huskies. The Broncos actually achieved it twice that season, reaching 40:06 in a win over Buffalo back on Oct. 2, 2021.
- DAZZLING DEBUT: Western Michigan kicker
Dieter Kelly went 4-for-4 on field goals in his NCAA Division I and Bronco debut. Kelly, who played two seasons at the College of San Mateo before transferring to WMU in the offseason, nailed a 52-yard field goal for WMU's first points. He then connected from 45 yards as time expired in the first half. Kelly gave the Broncos a 9-7 lead with a 39-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter and then finished his first game off with a 33-yard field goal with 35 seconds left to play. Kelly's 52-yarder was the longest by a Bronco kicker since
Palmer Domschke connected from 52 against Miami on Oct. 22, 2022 in a 16-10 win over the RedHawks.
- CAREER NIGHTS: Redshirt senior linebacker
Dillon Moore had a career night against the Wolverines. He led the Broncos with a career-high six tackles and also recorded his first career interception. Sophomore wide receiver
Aveion Chenault had a career-high six receptions for 63 yards.
- FIRST START: WMU redshirt freshmen center
Spencer Beckeman made his first collegiate start against Michigan. Beckeman did play in two games last season, but not at the center position, making WMU's first offensive snap of the game his first career snap at center. Also making their first starts were offensive lineman
Ben Roebuck, wide receiver
Egypt Nelson, tight end
Adam Parks, cornerback
Jordon Thomas, defensive tackles
Zavian Tibbs and
Ahmed Tounkara, linebacker
Dillon Moore and defensive end
KJ Burley.
