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2008 Western Michigan Broncos football team

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2008 Western Michigan Broncos football
Texas Bowl, L 14–38 vs. Rice
ConferenceMid-American Conference
DivisionWest
Record9–4 (6–2 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorSteve Morrison (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumWaldo Stadium
(Capacity: 30,200)
Seasons
← 2007
2009 →
2008 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Buffalo x$   5 – 3     8 – 6  
Bowling Green   4 – 4     6 – 6  
Temple   4 – 4     5 – 7  
Ohio   3 – 5     4 – 8  
Akron   3 – 5     5 – 7  
Kent State   3 – 5     4 – 8  
Miami (OH)   1 – 7     2 – 10  
West Division
Ball State x   8 – 0     12 – 2  
Central Michigan   6 – 2     8 – 5  
Western Michigan   6 – 2     9 – 4  
Northern Illinois   5 – 3     6 – 7  
Toledo   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Eastern Michigan   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Championship: Buffalo 42, Ball State 24
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions

The 2008 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the 2008 NCAA football season. The team was coached by Bill Cubit and played their homes game in Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Western Michigan was 9–4 overall and 6–2 in the Mid-American Conference after defeating conference opponents Northern Illinois, Temple, Ohio, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan and Toledo, Big Ten Conference member Illinois, Western Athletic Conference member Idaho and Football Championship Subdivision team Tennessee Tech. Western Michigan lost to Nebraska, rival Central Michigan and Ball State. Western Michigan played in the 2008 Texas Bowl, where they fell to Rice on December 30, 2008.

Over the course of the 2008 season, the Broncos received votes in the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll, culminating with a top 30 ranking and 9–2 record in week 13. The Broncos no longer received votes after dropping their final two games.

2007 summary

Main article: 2007 Western Michigan Broncos football team

The Broncos finished the 2007 season 5–7 overall and 3–4 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The highlight of the season was the 28–19 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes, a team that finished 5th in the Big Ten Conference.

Pre-season

Football team during a preseason practice at Waldo Stadium.

WMU was picked to finish third in the West Division, according to the MAC News Media Association. The Broncos also earned two first place votes and one vote to win the MAC Championship Game. Rival Central Michigan was picked to win the West Division. Bowling Green was selected to win the East Division.

Watch lists

Recruiting class

The 2008 recruiting class was ranked #1 in the MAC and #65 overall by Rivals.[3]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 307:00 pmat Nebraska*
Fox Sports NetL 24–4784,485
September 67:00 pmNorthern Illinois
W 29–2626,262
September 135:00 pmat Idaho*
ALTW 51–2815,003
September 207:00 pmTennessee Tech*
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, Michigan
W 41–719,768
September 272:00 pmat Temple
W 7–317,624
October 42:00 pmOhiodagger
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, Michigan
W 41–2020,133
October 113:30 pmat Buffalo
TWCSNW 34–28 OT15,025
October 1812:00 pmat Central Michigan
ESPN GamePlanL 28–3830,302
November 12:00 pmEastern Michigan
W 31–1019,917
November 812:00 pmvs. Illinois*
ESPN GamePlanW 23–1712,865
November 152:00 pmToledo
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, Michigan
FSN Detroit/FSN OhioW 27–1712,336
November 257:00 pmat No. 15 Ball State
ESPN2L 22–4523,861
December 308:00 pmvs. Rice*
NFL NetworkL 14–3858,880

Game summaries

Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total
Western Michigan (0–1) 0 10 7 7 24
Nebraska (1–0) 14 20 10 3 47
See also: 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

Nebraska jumped out to a 17–0 lead in the second quarter that Western Michigan could not recover from.

WMU quarterback Tim Hiller was 30 of 49 for 342 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Branden Ledbetter caught nine balls for 123 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos were held to eight rushing yards for the game.

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Northern Illinois

1 2 3 4 Total
Northern Illinois (0–2) 7 3 3 13 26
Western Michigan (1–1) 7 7 0 15 29
See also: 2008 Northern Illinois Huskies football team

In the Mid-American Conference opening game for both teams, WMU overcame a 19–14 fourth quarter NIU lead with two Tim Hiller touchdown passes in the span of three minutes and six seconds. Hiller completed 21 of 30 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns for the game and running back Brandon West carried the ball 25 times for 175 yards.

NIU was playing without its freshman starting quarterback Chandler Harnish who left the game in the first quarter due to an injury. NIU outgained WMU 439 to 384 in total yards and had possession of the ball for 34:20 opposed to WMU's 25:40 time of possession.

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Idaho

1 2 3 4 Total
Western Michigan (2–1) 7 7 23 14 51
Idaho (1–2) 7 0 7 14 28

After Idaho scored early in the third quarter to tie the game at 14–14, WMU outscored the Vandals 37–14 to cruise to a 51–28 win over the Western Athletic Conference member. WMU quarterback Tim Hiller completed 23 of 31 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Jamarko Simmons caught six passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite outgaining WMU 455 yards to 416 yards, Idaho could not stop WMU from scoring 23 points in 4:32 during the third quarter to put the game away.

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Tennessee Tech

1 2 3 4 Total
Tennessee Tech (2–2) 7 0 0 0 7
Western Michigan (3–1) 13 14 14 0 41

Led by quarterback Tim Hiller's five touchdown passes, Western Michigan defeated Football Championship Subdivision opponent Tennessee Tech 41–7. The Broncos outgained Tennessee Tech 633 yards to 251 and gained 30 first downs compared to 13. Hiller completed 27 of 31 passes for 333 yards and running back Brandon West carried the ball for 133 yards and a touchdown on 14 rushes. Wide receiver Jamarko Simmons led all receivers with 10 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Temple

1 2 3 4 Total
Western Michigan (4–1) 0 0 7 0 7
Temple (1–4) 3 0 0 0 3

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Ohio

1 2 3 4 Total
Ohio (1–5) 0 7 0 13 20
Western Michigan (5–1) 5 6 10 20 41

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Buffalo

1 2 3 4OT Total
Western Michigan (6–1) 0 3 3 226 34
Buffalo (2–4) 7 7 7 70 28

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Central Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total
Western Michigan (6–2) 7 7 7 7 28
Central Michigan (5–2) 14 7 7 10 38

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Eastern Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total
Eastern Michigan (2–8) 0 7 3 0 10
Western Michigan (7–2) 10 7 0 14 31

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Illinois

1 2 3 4 Total
Illinois (5–5) 7 0 3 7 17
Western Michigan (8–2) 3 17 0 3 23

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Toledo

1 2 3 4 Total
Toledo (2–8) 7 0 0 10 17
Western Michigan (9–2) 0 10 10 7 27

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Ball State

See also: 2008 Ball State Cardinals football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Western Michigan (9–3) 7 7 0 8 22
Ball State (12–0) 14 10 14 7 45

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Rice

Main article: 2008 Texas Bowl
See also: 2008 Rice Owls football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Western Michigan (9–4) 0 0 0 14 14
Rice (10–3) 10 14 7 7 38

Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes

Awards

Mid-American Conference Player of the Week

  • Offense
    • Tim Hiller, QB (2) – week 3 (23–31, 74.2%, 241 yards, four touchdowns),[4] week 7 (42–63, 345 yards, four touchdowns, school record for pass completions and attempts)[5]
    • Jamarko Simmons, WR – week 11 (11 catches, 174 yards, touchdown)[6]
  • Defense
    • E. J. Biggers, CB – week 10 (Nine tackles, one tackle for a loss, interception, pass break up)[7]
    • Louis Delmas, FS (2) – week 2 (10 tackles, interception, fumble recovery),[8] week 11 (12 tackles)[6]
    • Boston McCornell, LB – week 5 (10 tackles (six solo tackles), forced fumble, fumble recovery)[9]
  • Special teams
    • John Potter, PK – week 11 (three field goals (31, 22, 45 yards), two point after touchdowns)[6]
    • Brandon West, RB/KR – week 6 (239 all-purpose yards, three touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving))[10]
    • Aaron Winchester, RB/KR – week 12 (71 kick return yards, 111 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards, 204 all-purpose yards)[11]

Mid-American Conference Scholar Athlete of the Week

John Mackey National Tight End of the Week

  • Branden Ledbetter, TE – week 7 (six receptions, 40 yards, touchdown)[13]

All-MAC Team

Western Michigan had 12 All-MAC selections.[14]

  • First team
  • Second team
    • E. J. Biggers, CB
    • Zach Davidson, DL
    • Londen Fryar, CB
    • Branden Ledbetter, TE
  • Third team
    • Tim Hiller, QB
    • Boston McCornell, LB
    • Juan Nunez, WR
    • Phillip Sawnson, OL
    • Brandon West, RB

Coaching staff

References

  1. ^ "Western Michigan university cornerback named to 2008 Jim Thorpe Watch List". July 9, 2008. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2008.
  2. ^ "Ledbetter Named to Mackey Watch List for Second-Straight Year". wmubroncos.com. Western Michigan University Athletics. July 31, 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  3. ^ Kanan, Mat (February 7, 2008). "Votes are In - WMU is Rated Best by Rivals.com". wmubroncos.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
  4. ^ "MAC Recognizes Football Players of the Week". mac-sports.com. September 15, 2008. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
  5. ^ "MAC Recognizes Football Players of the Week". mac-sports.com. October 13, 2008. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c "MAC Awards Football Players of the Week". mac-sports.com. November 10, 2008. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  7. ^ "MAC Honors Football Players of the Week". mac-sports.com. November 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2008.
  8. ^ "MAC Names Football Players of the Week". mac-sports.com. September 8, 2008. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2008.
  9. ^ "MAC Announces Football Players of the Week". mac-sports.com. September 29, 2008. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
  10. ^ "MAC Announces Football Players of the Week". mac-sports.com. October 6, 2008. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2008.
  11. ^ "MAC Awards Football Player of the Week Honors". mac-sports.com. November 17, 2008. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2008.
  12. ^ "Hiller Repeats as MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week". wmubroncos.com. Western Michigan University Athletics. September 20, 2008. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  13. ^ "Branden Ledbetter Named John Mackey National Tight End of the Week". wmubroncos.com. Western Michigan University Athletics. October 15, 2008. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  14. ^ "MAC Announces Football Post Season Awards". mac-sports.com. December 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
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