Western Michigan’s pummeling win over Akron keeps Broncos in thick of MAC race

A busted up nose was ultimately no hindrance to Broc Lowry, as the Western Michigan’s starting quarterback sizzled — as did his backup — as the defense romped and the Broncos pummelled Akron, 42-14. 

With the win and a loss by Ohio to Miami (OH) shortly after on Tuesday night — the RedHawks scored 34 unanswered after going down 17-0 — the Broncos wake up on Wednesday tied atop the MAC with the Bobcats at 5-1 in league play. Toledo and Buffalo will have opportunities to match that 5-1 mark on Wednesday night, with Toledo hosting UMass and Buffalo visiting Ball State.

The Broncos (7-3, 5-1 MAC) are keeping pace in the MAC race, and doing so by not really worrying about it to begin with. 

“We got to carry this momentum and confidence into our last two games,” head coach Lance Taylor said postgame in a brief broadcast interview. “But really, we're just gonna take it one day at a time, laser focus on what we need to do, and handle our business.”

Things got hairy early vs. Akron when Lowry left the game after taking a fourth down sack on WMU’s opening possession, apparently from a busted-up nose. Taylor described it as “broken” in his postgame interview on the broadcast. And the CBS Sports Network broadcast quickly revealed during the game Lowry was capable to re-enter, it was a matter of cleaning up any blood and getting his face properly bandaged. 

Plus, as Lowry got treatment, and with regular backup Trey Petty already unavailable with an injury, third string quarterback Mason Reynolds entered the game and shined. 

He finished 7-of-8 for 57 yards and a pair of passing touchdowns, and headed up a trio of first half touchdown drives as the WMU run game really churned. Reynolds himself contributed considerably in that regard, with a 34 yard keeper highlighting five carries for 42 yards. 

Lowry eventually re-entered the game to begin the second half and the offense scored another 21 points in the second half, a pair of touchdowns by Jalen Buckley and a perfectly thrown back shoulder ball from Lowry to Keivin Boone-Nelson. 

Lowry finished a perfect 15-of-15 for 149 yards and a touchdown through the air. Combined, the WMU quarterbacks finished 22-of-23 for 206 yards and three touchdowns. 

“Effort and toughness were those two things,” Taylor said of what he wanted to see from his team on Tuesday night, he said on the broadcast postgame. “I think you saw that on display. I mean, when your quarterback gets his nose broken and blood pouring out of his nose, he has to go into the medical tent, and then he wants to come back in the game, doesn't want to miss a beat, and he goes 15 for 15 — you know, I think shows the toughness and grit that we talk about. And Mason, I was so proud. He was ready for his opportunity. 
We talk about being ready for your moment and, you know, next man up, and he did that. He came in and played exceptional for us. And I think that was the catalyst force to be able to win this football game.”

Both Buckley (23 carries, 121 yards, two touchdowns) and Cole Cabana (nine carries, 107 yards, touchdown) each crossed the 100-yard mark rushing as WMU ran for 360 yards. Cabana ripped off another 82-yard score. 

“Yeah, well, it starts up front, you know?” Taylor said. “I mean, when our offensive line dominates the line of scrimmage like they did tonight, you're able to run the football like we were and score points in bunches, and, you know, whatever back came in, they were able to take and share and carry the load, and I think that was the big key piece for us tonight.” 


And the WMU defense once more snuffed out a conference opponent’s offense, as WMU has given up 24 combined points across the last two games, wins over Bowling Green and Akron. 

WMU allowed fewer than 250 yards total, though the Broncos five-game streak of recording at least three sacks was broken, with just two on Tuesday night. Either way, the Akron offense was consistently under duress. It wasn’t a havoc-filled performance, but it was just smothering. 

“Listen, I'm super proud of our defense,” Taylor said. “Outside of about seven plays, our defense played excellent tonight. I thought our offense did what we needed to do. We played complimentary football.”