UPDATE: In a groundbreaking achievement, Western Michigan University (WMU) football has made history by sweeping four major postseason awards from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for the first time ever. This historic milestone was announced on Thursday, marking a significant moment for the program as they prepare for the upcoming MAC Championship game.
WMU’s standout players were recognized with the following awards: sophomore quarterback Broc Lowry was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year, senior defensive end Nadame Tucker secured both the Defensive Player of the Year and the Vern Smith Leadership Award, and head coach Lance Taylor clinched the Coach of the Year title. These accolades highlight an extraordinary season for the Broncos, who finished with a record of 8-4 overall and an impressive 7-1 in conference play.
Notably, this season marks WMU’s first appearance in the MAC Championship game since 2016, with the team tying for the second-most conference wins in program history. Taylor, in his third year with WMU, becomes the first coach since P.J. Fleck in 2016 to earn this honor, reflecting his remarkable leadership and coaching skills.
The Broncos were initially predicted to finish seventh in the MAC preseason coaches poll, but their performance has defied expectations, placing them on the brink of a potential fourth MAC title. In total, seven WMU players earned All-MAC honors, with Lowry, Tucker, graduate center Raheem Anderson II, and redshirt junior offensive lineman Chad Schuster all named to the first team. Graduate safety Tate Hallock earned second team recognition, while junior running back Jalen Buckley and junior cornerback Joshua Franklin were selected for the third team.
Tucker, a transfer from Houston, has been a defensive powerhouse, achieving an impressive 18 tackles for loss and 12 sacks this season, ranking second nationally. His dominance is evident in conference play, where he has achieved a MAC-best nine sacks and forced two fumbles, helping the Broncos limit opponents to just 14.5 points and 284.5 yards per game.
Lowry has also made headlines, becoming the first WMU quarterback in over a century to rush for 14 touchdowns in a season. With 875 rushing yards and 1,572 passing yards under his belt, he has been a crucial player for the Broncos, scoring in seven of eight conference games.
As the excitement builds, Western Michigan gears up to face Miami (OH) in the MAC Championship game this Saturday at noon from Ford Field in Detroit. Fans are eagerly anticipating what could be a historic moment for the Broncos as they aim for their first MAC title since 2016. Stay tuned for updates as this thrilling story unfolds!
