Western Michigan's improving pass offense seeks more: ‘By no means a finished product’
The Broncos haven't produced a scintillating passing attack, but are better in a few pronounced, key ways to balance out the offense.
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KALAMAZOO — Walt Bell has a simple rejoinder that he’s drilled into his offensive personnel at Western Michigan.
Starve your doubt. Feed your belief.
“So if you starve your doubt,” sophomore wideout Aveion Chenault said, “you gonna be successful.”
Nine games into the 2026 season, the Broncos have managed to live up to that mantra from the offensive coordinator, particularly when it comes to growing a passing game that has helped balance out Western Michigan’s (6-3, 4-1 MAC) offense. The out and out production actually hasn’t deviated much from last season in terms of yardage, but the ability to access explosive downfield plays and take shots at the end zone with an improved and varied pass catching corps has provided a needed counter punch to the Broncos’ run-centric approach.
Quarterback Broc Lowry plays with evident comfort and confidence operating as a drop back passer, and is clicking with a leveled-up group of pass catchers that he got a chance to work with all offseason, deepening their rapport. And this is all taking place behind an offensive line that has again found its level for WMU, providing clean pockets for Lowry while offering up a high floor for the offense with its run game acumen.
“And I think when you can be balanced, what you saw is, when you’re able to get the pass game going and create some vertical shots and some explosive plays,” head coach Lance Taylor said. “It allows us to settle in to our run game and be physical up front in our run game.”
