For the first time in Western Michigan history, the Broncos collected two postseason trophies in a single season. Fresh off claiming its first MAC championship since 2016, Western Michigan sweetened the deal by throttling another conference champion.
On the teal turf of Brooks Stadium for the 2025 Myrtle Beach Bowl, Western Michigan made quick work of Conference USA crown wearer Kennesaw State, eviscerating the Owls in 41-6 fashion. The Broncos recorded plenty of impressive highlights during a memorable day for the program. Here are the numbers that defined their 2025 Myrtle Beach Bowl triumph:
27-0
Score after the first quarter
Every once in a while we’ll see a four-touchdown comeback, but Western Michigan essentially put this game to bed in under 15 minutes of action. By the 2:38 mark of the first quarter, the Broncos already established a 27-0 lead on Kennesaw State, turning the final three quarters into an extended celebration.
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Western Michigan struck on the first play from scrimmage on a 65-yard Jalen Buckley house call and then rewrote the score to 14-0 just 76 seconds into the clock as defensive end Kershawn Fisher scooped up a fumble for a 47-yard touchdown. The tight ends took over the remainder of the one-sided first frame as MAC Offensive Player of the Year Broc Lowry dished short touchdowns to Mareyohn Hrabowski (a former quarterback making his first catch of the season) and Blake Bosma.
Thanks to the lopsided first quarter, Western Michigan earned the greatest margin of victory in a MAC bowl win since Ohio annihilated UAB by an identical score of 41-6 in the 2017 Bahamas Bowl.
171
Rushing yards Jalen Buckley needed for 1,000-yard season
Jalen Buckley rode a roller coaster of a college career, evolving from a walk-on to MAC Freshman of the Year but then watching his production significantly dip while powering through some injuries. But Buckley — a fourth-year Bronco whose time predates head coach Lance Taylor — got his shine in the MAC Championship Game, sprinting for 193 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-13 Western Michigan victory over Miami (OH). Thanks to that season-high showing, Buckley entered the Myrtle Beach Bowl with 829 rushing yards, needing 171 for his first 1,000-yard campaign since 2023.
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While 171 is a tall task, Buckley attained that mark less than 10 minutes into the contest — reaching 172 on his first seven attempts. His first carry went 65 yards to the end zone, and then he broke off for 31 and 57-yard scampers in those jaw-dropping 10 minutes. Buckley handled one second quarter carry for two yards, getting a well-earned rest to finish the day at eight attempts for 174 yards and a touchdown. Despite packing all the action into one quarter, the 1,000-yard rusher claimed MVP honors of the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
8
Number of punts for Kennesaw State
Western Michigan’s offense garnered significant attention for rattling off touchdown after touchdown, but like most of the 2025 season, the Broncos’ defense was the defining feature. Western Michigan shut out Kennesaw State until 4:10 remained in the third quarter, repeatedly forcing the CUSA champions to trot its punting unit onto the field. Kennesaw State punted eight times in total, six in the first half, and three times off three-and-outs. Western Michigan even blocked one of those punts in the all-out domination.
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When the Owls weren’t punting, they were simply turning it over. A feisty Western Michigan defense led by Rodney McGraw (2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles) created four takeaways — starting on the opening possession and continuing through Kennesaw State’s final series. Two of those takeaways were defensive touchdowns: one 47-yard scoop-and-score for Kershawn Fisher and a 75-yard pick-six for Joey Pope.
Kennesaw State’s six points were a season-low for its offense (the Owls scored nine in non-conference losses to Indiana and Wake Forest), cementing a spectacular season for Western Michigan’s 11th-ranked scoring defense.
10-1
Western Michigan’s record to finish 2025
Western Michigan’s memorable 10-4 MAC champion and Myrtle Beach Bowl champion run didn’t always look like it would be a dream season. Lance Taylor and the Broncos stumbled out to an 0-3 start, dropping contests to Michigan State, North Texas, and Illinois despite their best defensive efforts. One defining feature of those three defeats involved a two-quarterback system where Brady Jones earned the starts while Broc Lowry rotated in and out of the game. Once Western Michigan settled on eventual MAC Offensive Player of the Year Broc Lowry as the starter, the Broncos posted a 10-1 record.
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The turning point in their season transpired in the second half vs. Toledo when it overcame a 13-0 deficit, completing critical fourth downs and a two-point conversion to upset the preseason MAC favorite Rockets. Once Western Michigan gained confidence from that victory, the rest was history. The Broncos won 10 of their final 11 contests, earning double-digit victories in the MAC Championship Game and Myrtle Beach Bowl for their second winningest season in program history — only trailing the 13-1 mark from 2016
