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Live updates: Western Michigan hosts Boise State in big-time G6 showdown

The Broncos host the Broncos (from Boise) in a game that will play an outsize role in shaping the Group of 6 playoff race. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

The Bronco Bowl has arrived, as Western Michigan (2-1) hosts Boise State (2-1) at Waldo Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2 in a showdown with massive Group of 6 playoff implications.

In many ways, both teams are mirrors of one another: Rugged, physical and with a bread and butter of powerful running and stingy defense. Boise State has a more experienced, proven passer in Maddux Madsen, but Broc Lowry’s legs are a game-changer for Western Michigan.

Both Broncos might be without key players today, as Western Michigan is going to be without starting safety Micah Davis, who hurt his right hand/wrist against Rice. Boise State running back Sire Gaines is a game time decision, per an ESPN report on Saturday morning.

It’s expected to be a packed, raucous Waldo Stadium crowd as one of the biggest home games in Western Michigan history gets going.

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Touchdown, Boise State — Riley finally punches it in

Dylan Riley is now at 93 yards in the first half and just raced in for a touchdown from the five. His ability to change direction and cut around defenders already in the backfield is remarkable.

And that's in concert with the power and physicality that he runs with.

It's 15-0, Boise State leads, with 7:33 to halftime.

Boise State's Riley closing on 100 first half yards

There are 10 minutes left and change in the second quarter and Boise State running back Dylan Riley is already over 80 rushing yards.

He just got tackled for a loss/no gain for the first time all game.

End 1: Boise State 8, Western Michigan 0

After Boise State walked down the WMU defense on the opening series and WMU went three-and-out, both teams had promising drives that fizzled out in missed field goals.

The second quarter will begin with Boise State facing 1st and 10 at the 32, after a Dylan Riley carry went for a first down.

Riley and the Boise State run game have been mashing. He's got seven carries for 71 yards so far as Boise State is averaging 7.3 yards per carry.

No Aveion Chenault for Western Michigan so far

The wideout was listed questionable pregame and warmed up and dressed out in pads, and is wearing them on the sideline while standing with the receiver group, though he has not been in the game yet.

Lowry keeper gets stuffed on 3rd down, Dieter Kelly FG misses

Kelly misses it left from 40, and a promising drive from Western Michigan fizzles out with no points as the first quarter is close to ending.

8-0, Boise State, with :24 left in the first quarter.

Then Lolo Mataele hurdles on the same play run to the left

It might not have been the identical call but the concept was the same and Mataele got out for a first down and leapt over a defender, drawing big oohs and aahs from the crowd.

WMU into Boise State territory, and the Western Michigan offensive line seems to have found a higher gear here against the BSU defense.

Western Michigan offense finds a big play

A swing pass to Jalen Buckley with lead blockers down the right goes for 27 yards as Western Michigan's offense gets out to the 47. He was a block or a broken tackle or two away from potentially taking it the distance.

3rd down drop sets up Boise State FG miss

Tight end Keawe Browne seemed to have the ball and the line to gain but the throw from Maddux Madsen to the sideline popped out of his arms and hit the turf, and Caanan Moore's 29-yard field goal attempt was no good.

Boise State had another drop by Akeem Wright earlier in the drive.

Still 8-0 in favor of the visitors with 5:01 left in the first quarter.

Riley rips off 26 on 3rd down

Facing a third and short, Dylan Riley gets through the middle and runs out to the right for 26 yards to take Boise State into the red zone.

WMU's defense has no answer for Boise State's run blocking so far.

WMU goes 3 and out

A first down carry goes nowhere, a second down rollout completion to Nate Levicki only got a handful of yards, then Broc Lowry got slung down quickly in the pocket on third down.

Ryan Millmore's punt gets fair caught at the Boise State 39 and the hosts need a stop lest this gets ugly quick.

Touchdown, Boise State — WMU coverage breaks down

Facing third and medium, the first third down of the game, Boise State gets in to the end zone, as tight end Matt Wagner got free up the seam as the home team blitzed.

Linebacker Dillon Moore seemed to think he had help over the top, did not, and Wagner had a walk in score on the easy throw from Madsen. Boise State went for two and got it easily.

Dylan Riley had three carries for 27 yards on that drive, including a 15-yard chunk.

8-0, Boise State, after a seven play, 75 yard drive in 3:27 to open.

Boise State feeding Dylan Riley to open

The Boise State offense goes hand off, screen (for a first down) then another two handoffs. Riley was the carrier on all three and caught the screen. Boise State's offensive line is also getting great push, and the Broncos in blue have quickly crossed midfield.

Daeh McCullough stepped up to make a touchdown saving tackle on the fourth carry, and got plastered — but did make the stop.

Western Michigan wins the toss, defers

Boise State starts at the 25 after Zak Zeman kicks off for a touchback, fair caught just outside the end zone.

And a reminder, tails never fails.

Boise State RB Sire Gaines appears available

Running out of the tunnel with his team, Gaines was fully dressed and just has a club wrap on his right hand.

That might limit him and the touches Boise State will give him, as he can realistically only carry the ball on his left side, but he appears to be available regardless.

The crowd is filling out at Waldo, many still getting in

With about 15 minutes to kickoff, Waldo Stadium looks to be about two-thirds full with a lot of people still outside the northwest gates waiting to get in.

Would guess this crowd easily clears 20,000.

Lots of folks still trying to get in with 15 minutes to kickoff pic.twitter.com/bLcBY0Zhul
— Andrew E. Graham 🫡 (@AndrewEdGraham) September 26, 2026

Chenault, Tonga, Baker all dresssed out in pads; Johanningsmeier TBD

Wideout Aveion Chenault, linebacker Andrew Baker and tight end Enese Tonga all appear to be set to play, dressing out in pads and getting on the field for warmups.

Aveion Chenault questionable for WMU, Micah Davis confirmed out

Leading wide receiver Aveion Chenault is questionable for Western Michigan, according to the MAC availability report, appearing to be a game-time decision after leaving late in the first half last week vs. Rice with an apparent lower body injury.

Chenault didn't play in the second half of that win for WMU. He was seen in practice this week working out off to the side in a red jersey, not in pads but appearing to move well in the quick-turnaround rehab.

Micah Davis is also confirmed as out after dropping off the depth chart earlier this week.

WMU's full questionable list is as follows: