DATE | Sept. 5, 2026
TIME | 7:30 PM ET
LOCATION | Ann Arbor, Mich.
VENUE | Michgian Stadium
TV | NBC/Peacock App
RADIO | Bronco Media Network
LIVE STATS | WMU.Statbroadcast.com

THIS WEEK
Western Michigan football opens its 121st season at No. 16 Michigan on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The game can be watched live on NBC, streamed on the Peacock App and heard live on the Bronco Media Network. 

THE SERIES
- Saturday is the ninth all-time meeting between WMU and UM, with Michigan winning all of the previous eight.
- Every game of the series has been played in Ann Arbor.
- The first meeting was back on Oct. 10, 1917, with the Wolverines narrowly winning 17-13.
- The most recent meeting came back on Sept. 4, 2021, a 47-14 UM victory.
- Saturday marks the fourth time that the Broncos have opened the season against Michigan.
- Three current Broncos have suited up for the Maize & Blue. Redshirt junior safety Micah Davis (2023-24), redshirt junior running back Cole Cabana (2023-24) and redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Ben Roebuck (2024-25).

WHAT MAKES UP TEAM 121
- 24 states are represented on the 2026 roster: Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah Virginia (1 player each). Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina (2). Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin (3). California, Florida, Kansas (5). Ohio (10). Illinois (11). Indiana (15). Michigan (23).
- Western Michigan returns six players on offense that started in at least seven games last season. Not included, redshirt sophomore center Jeremy Schleicher who had started the first three games last season before suffering a season-ending injury. On defense, that number shrinks to four, all members of the secondary. Joshua Franklin (CB, 12 starts), Joey Pope (S, 7 starts), Jarvarius Sims (CB, 12 starts), and Micah Davis (S, 10 starts) represent the returners on defense. WMU also returns kicker Palmer Domschke and punter Ryan Millmore, who played in every game last season.
- This year's roster features 29 college or junior college transfers, down from 33 last season.
- Average Height: 6-1
- Average Weight: 231
- By Class: Seniors+ - 24, Juniors - 21, Sophomores- 26, Freshman - 33

WHO'S WATCHING?
Western Michigan finished up the preseason with the most watch list selection of any team in the Mid-American Conference, with seven in total. Reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year Broc Lowry tied with Ohio safety DJ Walker for most selections with three. Lowry was selected to the Maxwell Award Watch List, presented annually to the top player in the nation. He was also selected for the Walter Camp Award Watch List and the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, presented to the nation's top quarterback. 

Redshirt senior running back Jalen Buckley joins Lowry on the Maxwell Award Watch List, while senior cornerback Joshua Franklin made the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, handed out to the nation's top defensive player. Offensive tackle Chad Schuster, a First Team All-MAC selection in 2025, was one of just two MAC linemen named to the Outland Trophy watch list, while senior defensive tackle Dakari Frazier was named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. 

RETURNING SCORING? YEAH, WE'VE GOT THAT
Western Michigan returns the most total offensive touchdowns (35) than any team in the MAC and has the highest percentage of returning touchdowns (85.4%). The Broncos are just one of four teams in the conference that return over 50 percent, with Akron (80.0%), Ball State (78.8%), and Bowling Green (73.5%) joining them. In terms of total touchdowns, WMU is nine ahead of the Falcons, who return the second most with 26.

It's not just in the conference that Western Michigan has a strong ranking. In all of FBS, the Broncos are 10th in percentage of returning touchdowns. WMU's 35 touchdowns also rank 21st in the nation.

The bulk of the team's returning touchdowns come via the ground game. Last season the Broncos rushed for 31 touchdowns and return 26 of those via 14 from redshirt junior quarterback Broc Lowry, nine from redshirt senior running back Jalen Buckley, and three from senior running back Lolo Mataele. Those 26 returning rushing touchdowns tie the Broncos for fifth in the nation.

By contrast, the Broncos only had 12 returning offensive touchdowns returning for the start of Taylor's first year with the program in 2023. 

EXPERIENCE ON THE OUTSIDE
Western Michigan cornerbacks Joshua Franklin and Jarvarius Sims made a combined 24 starts last season, with each starting in 12 of the 14 games. The duo both had career-best seasons in 2025. Sims finished fourth on the team in tackles after making 64, including three tackles for loss and one sack. Sims also had four pass breakups. Franklin made 53 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks and a team-best 10 pass breakups.

It's the most starts returned at the cornerback position for Western Michigan. since Darius Philips and Sam Beal returned in 2017 after a combined 26 starts in the 2016 season.

GRATZ GRADS
Fourteen Broncos take the field this season with college degrees in hand: Blair Alexander, Jori Benson, Kouri Crump, Palmer Domschke, DeJuan Echoles Jr., Will Gerig, AJ Green, August Johanningsmeier, Nate Levicki, Domanick Moon, Dillon Moore, Tahj Owens, Brandon Smith and Thomas Wodon have all earned their undergraduate degrees. The group will also don special MAC Graduate patches on their jerseys.