 KALAMAZOO, MI - With West Division powerhouses Toledo and Northern Illinois picked ahead of Western Michigan in the preseason Mid-American Conference media poll, some teams might be tempted to overlook the threat posed by the Broncos. They do so at their own risk, because the Broncos are armed and dangerous. Armed, that is, with one of the top quarterbacks in the MAC; dangerous with the receiving threat posed by the return of WMU’s top receiver.
CHALLENGING SCHEDULE
Improving on last year’s 6-6 overall mark and 5-3 MAC record won’t come easy. The season starts Sept. 3 at Michigan . Road games at Illinois and Connecticut are also part of the non-conference slate.
Conference play brings yet more challenges away from the friendly Kalamazoo confines. WMU hits the road for matchups against what figure to be three of the toughest tests in the MAC – Northern Illinois (Oct. 15), Toledo (Nov. 8) and Miami (Nov. 16).
OFFENSE
The Broncos were prolific when it came to offense in 2010, averaging 32.3 points per game through 12 contests. That was second-best in the MAC behind juggernaut Northern Illinois. With Alex Carder holding down the second spot in passing yardage (227.8 pgg) and two receivers among the top four in receptions and receiving yardage, WMU ranked first in pass offense (285.8 ypg.) last season. Both receivers were First Team All-MAC selections, while Carder picked up third team honors as a sophomore. It was only the third time in Mid-American Conference history that two receivers from the same school garnered First Team All-MAC honors in the same year.
Although the MAC once again seems to be developing a host of talented quarterbacks, Carder is one of two conference signal callers to make the Davey O’Brien Award Watch List (for the nation’s top quarterback). His 296.7 yards of total offense per contest was tops in the MAC, 25 yards better than the second place finisher (Central Michigan’s Ryan Radcliff). Western Michigan was first (all games) in passing offense, gaining 3,429 yards (285.8 ypg) through the air.
Wideout Juan Nunez, who averaged 7.57 catches and 86 ypg, is gone, but Jordan White was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. The First Team All-MAC player broke the school’s single-season record for receiving yards (1,378) and 100-yard games (7) last year.
To keep the multiple threats at receiver going, WMU needs somebody to step up, and a candidate for that role is incoming freshman Kendrick Roberts (6-3, 190). Another, more experienced option, is fifth-year senior Robert Arnheim (5-11, 207). He had 23 catches for 235 yards and a touchdown in 2010.
Even if the Broncos can maintain a top-flight passing game, improving the record and making a MAC West title run could by tied to a complimentary running game to balance the Kalamazoo crew’s offensive threats. WMU was seventh in rushing offense last season, picking up 125.9 ypg overall and 147.5 ypg in conference play.
Center Kevin Galeher anchors the offensive line and is on the preseason Rimington Trophy watch list. Big Anthony Parker (6-5, 325, Sr) is a returning starter at guard and Dann O’Neill (6-8, 307, Jr) is back at right tackle.
As far as running backs are concerned, sophomore Teven Drake (5-11, 212) was an exciting player in limited action last year. He saw action in five games, leading the Broncos’ rushing with 405 yards on 40 carries (10.1 ypc) and added four TDs. Classmate Brian fields chipped in 362 yards on 56 carries (6.5 ypc). Senior Aaron Winchester (5-6, 183) had the most carries (92) (except for Carder’s 109) and scored six touchdowns while picking up 271 yards (2.9 ypc).
DEFENSE
Just as the Bronco’s record tended toward the middle, so did the defense. WMU ranked eighth (all games) among MAC teams in total defense after finishing seventh against the pass and ninth versus the run.
Safety Jamail Berry, who had 9 TFL among his 94 total tackles last year, is gone. So is Mario Armstrong (five interceptions) However, the secondary has talent. Sophomore Lewis Toler, for example, burst onto the scene with five picks as a freshman. Strong safety Doug Wiggins had 55 tackles. Freddie Bishop, Travonte Bowles, Drew Nowak and Paul Hazel return along the defensive line. The latter was a Third Team All-MAC selection in 2010.
Senior linebacker Mitch Zajac (6-1, 229) led the Broncos in tackles last season, registering a career-high 97 stops. That total included a personal-best 14 tackles against Kent State as the defense yielded just 10 total points in wins over Kent State and Bowling Green to close the season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior kicker John Potter earned Third Team All-MAC honors in 2010 after converting 10-of-12 field goal attempts and all 50 PAT kicks. If the offense continues to click, Potter will continue to get a workout with a lot more PATs than field goals. In either case, he is an experienced and solid player who can put points on the board. Punter Ben Armer, also a senior, finished second in the MAC with a 41.2 yard average.
IN CLOSING
- Western Michigan has enough talent to challenge anybody in conference play, but the Broncos must find a way to reverse a few close outcomes. Close losses to Northern Illinois (28-21) and Central Michigan (26-22) kept coach Bill Cubit’s team from finishing on a five-game win streak that could have vaulted the Broncos into a MAC title game. Rival Central Michigan, in particular, has given WMU problems, and the two meet Sept. 17 at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo.
- Staying healthy is also important, particularly at quarterback. Carder was credited with 109 carries last year.
- Bouncing back from a pair of disappointing losses to close with three league wins was important heading into the offseason. Confidence is a real plus, and WMU will need some with several important MAC games on the road. Playing well through the non-conference slate would be also help.
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