Western Michigan Remains Undefeated With 45-31 Win Over Eastern Michigan

RICH REZLER
Associated Press

KALAMAZOO (AP) — Zach Terrell threw for 398 yards and three touchdowns and No. 20 Western Michigan had 569 yards of total offense in a 45-31 victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

Carrington Thompson had eight catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns, and Jarvion Franklin ran for 114 yards and a touchdown for the Broncos (8-0, 4-0 Mid-American). The game was the first at home as a nationally ranked team in school history.

Eastern Michigan (5-3, 2-2) capitalized on a pair of turnovers to take a 17-14 lead with 3:35 left in the first half, the first time the Broncos have trailed at Waldo Stadium this season.

Western Michigan answered with two scoring drives in the final minutes, aided by Obbie Jackson's interception. Terrell made it 31-17 when he hit Thompson for an 8-yard touchdown pass on the Broncos' first possession of the third quarter.

Terrell's 31-yard touchdown pass to Corey late in the third quarter pushed the Broncos past the 40-point mark for the fifth consecutive game. Davis had five receptions for 87 yards.

Eastern Michigan's Brogan Roback threw for 334 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score.

THE TAKEAWAY

Western Michigan: The 23,721 fans at 30,200-capacity Waldo Stadium likely didn't expect (nor necessarily want) to be treated to a close game. The Broncos' defense allowed more than 450 yards, but the offense had more than enough fire power to save the day.

Eastern Michigan: The Eagles' bid to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1995 must wait another week. Hanging tough with the Broncos shows that their resurgence — they've already matched their win total for the last three seasons combined — may be no fluke.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

A 14-point win over Eastern Michigan might not impress many poll voters , but the Broncos will have a chance to show off a little in their next two games, both nationally televised, Tuesday night affairs at Ball State and Kent State.

UP NEXT

Western Michigan: The Broncos begin the MAC's annual late-season, mid-week, made-for-TV schedule at Ball State on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Eastern Michigan: The Eagles host Miami next Saturday.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.