Western Michigan University Athletics

OXFORD, Ohio -- The Western Michigan football team suffered its first Mid-American Conference loss of the season, falling at Miami 26-17 on Saturday afternoon.

The Broncos (4-4, 3-1 MAC) had a 17-9 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the RedHawks scored 17 unanswered points in the final 15 minutes.

WMU was out-gained 408-316 in the game and for the first time all season, failed to record a sack.

The RedHawks scored on their opening drive to take a 3-0 lead on one of four field goals on the day by Dom Dzioban, connecting from 44 yards with 11:28 left in the opening quarter. Dzioban then hit from 24 yards just six seconds into the second quarter to extend the lead to 6-0.

Western Michigan got on the board late in the second after a four-play, 93-yard drive. The Broncos started at their own seven and a five-yard run by Ofa "Lolo" Mataele moved them out of the backs of their own endzone. Broc Lowry was off the mark on a pass to Aveion Chenault, but on the next play connected with him on a deep pass for 47 yards to the Miami 43. Lowry then launched another deep ball, hitting an open Tailique Williams for the touchdown. The drive was the team's longest on the season and the touchdown reception was Williams' first as a Bronco.

The RedHawks responded with a quick drive down the field but were forced to kick another field goal, with Dzioban making it from 29 yards to take the lead back, 9-7.

Devin Miles rattled off a career-long 72 yards to start WMU's drive on the Miami 21. Seven plays later, tight end and former Colgate quarterback Michael Brescia lined up at quarterback for WMU. He rolled out of the pocket looking to pass, but found a lane and ran it in for a two-yard touchdown, giving the Broncos a 14-9 lead heading into halftime.

Both teams went three-and-out to open the third quarter, but WMU extended its lead on its second drive to make it 17-9 after Palmer Domschke connected on a 42-yard field goal.

The Bronco defense held the RedHawks to just 28 yards of offense in the third quarter, but Miami rattled off 160 in the final 15 minutes, scoring on its first three drives of the quarter to flip the score.

Miles, a junior college transfer, broke the WMU single game record for kick return yards with 218 on seven returns. Lowry was 16-for-28 passing for 172 yards and a touchdown, also rushing for 82 yards on 20 carries. Williams had five receptions or 71 yards and a touchdown, while Chenault finished with four catches for 65 yards.

The Broncos are back at home next Saturday, hosting Central Michigan for The Battle for the Victory Cannon at 4 p.m. The game can be watched live on ESPNU. Tickets are on-sale at www.wmubroncos.com/tickets.

Click here to read article