tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60645166283971856452024-03-12T22:58:00.388-04:00The DoubleU SpotThis blog is for, but not limited to, all things W. For me that means W.M.U. (Western Michigan University), Wolverines (UofM), World events, Weekends or Whatever. This site however, is not associated in any official capacity to any of the above mentioned institutions.Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-77072136139504336752013-06-28T08:39:00.001-04:002013-06-28T08:40:42.910-04:00Hello Again, HelloBack in business…. ehh maybe. It has been nearly 4 years since I last posted on The Double U spot. I accredit this to the evolution of social media. When I started this blog in 2008 I didn’t even have a Facebook account. Well while technology has changed so have the two teams dearest to my heart. Both teams have new coaches. While U of M is entering its 3rd season under Brady Hoke and WMU has a first year coach and first time head coach with P.J. Fleck (who by the way is 2 years younger than me).
My intentions for the future of this blog are minimal, but I hope to continue to add content and updates on the teams more regularly. My real Job and real life will get in the way I am sure but I hope to keep this creative outlet open
Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-72312001641937178822009-08-12T10:06:00.002-04:002009-08-13T12:03:05.375-04:00The Return of Football...Welcome back! I was going to wait until it was the week before the football season starts but I am way too anxious. Media days are done, fall practices are underway and the blog-a-sphere is whirling with the preseason predictions. Obviously, if you are a fan of the blog (and why wouldn’t you be) you know the marquee match up of the season happens on the 1st Saturday. Michigan vs. Western Michigan, Sept, 5, 2009. The Wolverines and Western square off for the first time since 2002. This is a very interesting situation for a fan of both programs. I want a win for the Broncos. However, a win for WMU is devastating for Michigan (though they are getting used to season opener losses). Also, starting the season off with a big win over U of M may be such a high for the Broncos that they may lose the hunger and falter for the remainder of the schedule. I am asking for a strong showing on both teams, that will make for and exciting, injury free game and get the momentum for both teams’ seasons rolling. <br /><br />The reports coming out of Kalamazoo fall practice are promising. The receiving corps looks good, but they have not put the pads on yet. The defense is the bigger concern with only 4 seniors returning. The secondary lost a 2nd round draft pick and will need to replace more than just the skill of Louis Delmas, they need to replace his on and off field leadership. QB Tim Hiller appears fully recovered for the ACL injury suffered in early November last year, and wide out Juan Nunez appears to be ready to step in as Hiller’s target numero uno.<br /><br />The reports on Michigan have been a piling on with negativity, but include a silver lining named Tate Forcier. He enrolled early, has learned the offense, and he looks like he can actually move from side to side, unlike either option under center last season. The controversies and hemorrhaging of players from the program are more off-season blog fodder than anything else in my opinion. I do not recall such a large amount of transfers in the ranks of BCS football. I have only been following the sport with a major passion for 5 or 6 years, but do not recall so many QBs transferring after not being deemed the starter. Coaches are moving after big bucks more than after opportunity to build a program with a legacy. Accompany that with a generation of kids who have been designated as football players as soon as the umbilical cord was cut, and the team hopping is almost expected. I do not see the players leaving as a sign of trouble. I see it as a sign of the times from a generation of kids that have a strong sense of entitlement. These players would rather transfer to a team where they can start rather than duking it out with an incumbent starter or a competitive peer to earn the starting position. So, while some of the leaving players may have had personality clashes with the staff or felt that they did not get recruited in to this program, I feel a lot of your skilled position departures are individuals who feel that the should be starting and they found somewhere that they can. <br /><br />Anyways down form the soapbox and back on track….Michigan can only improve. The parts are being put in place, the dedicated players have been identified, and the motivation to erase last year is an intangible force. <br /><br />Here is to a great season of NCAA Football!Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-40816743711987523202009-04-21T14:47:00.010-04:002009-04-22T08:03:28.796-04:00Will WMU's Stock go up After the NFL Draft?There are several recent Bronco's that will be watching the draft on Saturday with more than just a mild interest. Louis Delmas, E.J Biggers, Londen Fryar and Jamarko Simmons are among last year's players that could be selected this weekend. Some as early as Saturday's first round. Delmas has been tagged as a strong investment for team in need of adding to their secondary. His stock shot up after the WMU pro day and individual workouts with a few teams. This accompanied with the fact that he signed with none other than Drew Rosenhaus, for representation is ensuring he receives serious consideration. According to the Wikipedia-<br /><br />"<em>Rosenhaus represents over 100 NFL players, many of them NFL superstars, including the late </em><a title="Sean Taylor" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Taylor"><em>Sean Taylor</em></a><em>, </em><a title="Tommie Harris" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommie_Harris"><em>Tommie Harris</em></a><em>, </em><a title="Plaxico Burress" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaxico_Burress"><em>Plaxico Burress</em></a><em>, </em><a class="mw-redirect" title="Chad Johnson" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_Johnson"><em>Chad Johnson</em></a><em>, </em><a title="Willis McGahee" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_McGahee"><em>Willis McGahee</em></a><em>, </em><a title="Santana Moss" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santana_Moss"><em>Santana Moss</em></a><em>, </em><a title="Terrell Owens" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrell_Owens"><em>Terrell Owens</em></a><em>, </em><a class="mw-redirect" title="Kellen Winslow Jr" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kellen_Winslow_Jr"><em>Kellen Winslow Jr</em></a><em>, </em><a title="Jeremy Shockey" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Shockey"><em>Jeremy Shockey</em></a><em>, </em><a title="Zach Thomas" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Thomas"><em>Zach Thomas</em></a><em>, </em><a title="Frank Gore" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Gore"><em>Frank Gore</em></a><em>, </em><a title="Lance Briggs" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Briggs"><em>Lance Briggs</em></a><em> and others."</em><br /><em></em><br />Now, I am not saying his list of clients are all leaders on the role model circuit, but they do get paid!<br /><br />The point of all this is simply the question of whether or not this will help Western Michigan University football in the future. The Broncos have had some recent players become successful in "The League". Greg Jennings at Green Bay is a multi year starter and has had multiple playoff appearances, Jason Babain was a first round draft pick, and Tony Scheffler is working out nicely with the other Broncos, in Denver. Have these players brought notoriety to WMU? True Western fans know these players because we have been following some of these players since we shared a campus with them. However, does this translate nationally, and more importantly to recruits?<br /><br />Head Coach Bill Cubit has a nice pipeline coming out of a section of Florida that has recently brought in some very good, even if they are lower rated, recruits. Will the fact that the Broncos could have 3 to 4 players drafted as early as the 1st 5 rounds mean that kids in Texas, California, Arizona and more of Florida will be giving the Brown and Gold a second look (or perhaps a first)?<br /><br />My true feeling...it can't hurt but it won't have a huge impact. Western Michigan will definitely be helped if these players become extremely high profile players, which is less likely as most are defenders who will not become a name as well known as future TD makers. But, even with big name offensive players smaller schools still aren't in the bidding war with the major recruits. Case in point; L.T and TCU. The Horned Frogs are known for Tomlinson, but I have never read anything on rivals.com quoting a big time recruit as having TCU in their top 5 along with the likes of USC, Texas, Florida and so on.<br /><br />I am not attempting to take anything away from the program that Bill Cubit has built. I think he still deserves more credit than he has received for the consistency he has brought to the program and the players he has churned out in his short tenure. My angst comes more from the tiers that exist due to the marketing and funding the big time BCS teams have. I think that this will always overshadow the mid -majors and their successes. Nonetheless, I am looking forward to a interesting draft weekend, especially to the end of the drama that is the #1 overall pick.<br /><br />Best of luck to all the Broncos that have entered the draft.<br /><br />GO BRONCOS!!<br /><em></em><br /><br /><em></em>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-66517780629756382902009-04-14T11:06:00.004-04:002009-04-22T08:03:42.522-04:00Spring Games Give Us a PeekOver the past weekend both Western and the Wolverines held their annual inter-squad spring games. Both teams were able to refrain from any major injury and showed the fans a great time and gave some hope to their loyal supporters.<br /><br />I did not attend these games however I have watched some of the available footage on the internet. My first thought is that the September 5th match up is not going to be as close as some may have thought when the game was announced last December. The footage on Michigan shows a team that is much faster than what was on the field at Waldo Stadium that same afternoon. Of course the footage made available is limited for both teams and they are called highlights for a reason. However, Western is coming back this season without 25 of last years players that left due to graduation. The current roster is loaded with players fighting for there chance at a starting role which has been declared evident through out spring practices. The scrimmage showed a defense that didn’t quit and an offense that was able to hold off a late game surge to preserve the win. The scoring system used is slightly misleading due to it being based on points awarded for on field accomplishments and it favored the offense. Also, keep in mind WMU's offense was missing a key component in last year’s success, in Tim Hiller, who is sidelined with an ACL.<br /><br />The University of Michigan, on the other hand, had a very successful day especially for the promotions department. The reported attendance was 50,000 and the locker room tours and luxury suite tours were attended by capacity crowds. The game day atmosphere was present. The offense appears to be gaining its tempo and thanks to early enrollment and a pair of contact lenses the true freshman QB Tate Forcier and WR Roy Roundtree were able to have an impressive showing.<br />Overall, I can’t put too much on these games. The teams are playing against themselves so any success on one side of the ball is the direct effect of a failure on the other. That being said, the Broncos will need to focus on clogging up the fast past offense that RichRod has been oiling up. Michigan has everything to lose in September. The fan base has rallied, the hope has returned and if they suffer a third season opener loss, the tone for the season could be completely changed. WMU will have a chance to be a highlight for the evening Sports Center, which is great for the program and recruiting, but a victory in Ann Arbor on the first Saturday of season has certainly lost its luster…in fact it is becoming the normMr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-59613994087132900242009-03-27T15:10:00.011-04:002009-04-22T08:17:38.300-04:00Schedule release puts the Oh!, in ' 09 season.<script type='text/javascript'><!--<br />google_ad_client = "pub-4365551150399497";<br />google_ad_host = "pub-1599271086004685";<br />/* 728x90, created 4/21/09 */<br />google_ad_slot = "5279693645";<br />google_ad_width = 728;<br />google_ad_height = 90;<br />//--><br /></script><br /><script src='http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'><br /></script><br /> <script type='text/javascript'><!--<br />google_ad_client = "pub-4365551150399497";<br />google_ad_host = "pub-1599271086004685";<br />/* advertise, 468x60, created 4/14/09 */<br />google_ad_slot = "4542998336";<br />google_ad_width = 468;<br />google_ad_height = 60;<br />//--><br /></script><br /><script src='http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'><br /></script><br /><br /><script type='text/javascript'><!--<br />google_ad_client = "pub-4365551150399497";<br />google_ad_host = "pub-1599271086004685";<br />/* 728x90, created 4/14/09 */<br />google_ad_slot = "0942853018";<br />google_ad_width = 728;<br />google_ad_height = 90;<br />//--><br /></script><br /><script src='http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'><br /></script><br /><br />Western released it's full football schedule today. The first two games are on the road at Big Ten opponents; Michigan and Indiana respectively. If <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">WMU</span> were playing these games last year the Broncos might have started off 2-0, and this year the odds aren't that bad either. U of M could have another season opener the ends in dead <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">silence</span> in the stands. Right now they are looking to run the offense with either walk- on QB Nick Sheridan( who by the way can't walk at all right now due to a lower leg fracture) or a true freshman out of San Diego in Tate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Forcier</span>.<br /><br />Western has a challenge ahead of them for spring and summer. They lost a lot of seniors and the starting QB, Tim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hiller</span>, is on the side lines recovering from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ACL</span> surgery. Coach Cubit and crew need to rebuild the receiving crew after losing 2, maybe more, future Sunday players. Along with the offense, the defense lost several <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">potential</span> NFL players to graduation. The silver lining here is found in the fact that the current players know they could get a starting role and are showing it in the spring work outs, according to reports on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MLive</span>! and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Western's</span> athletics page.<br /><br />Overall, the schedule is interesting. Five home games, one being Central, and another being an ESPN2 broadcast on a likely <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">frigid</span> Tuesday night the week of Thanksgiving. What is the over/under on attendance at that game? Thanks to the MAC for showcasing Waldo Stadium on a national broadcast with 900 people in the stands. However, from a competitive standpoint the schedule looks nice. This is primarily due to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">MSU</span> late in the season and most of the better MAC teams from last year on the schedule. Unfortunately, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">MSU</span> game which was supposed to be a neutral field game at Ford Field, has been moved to Michigan State. The "economy" is what supposedly put the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">kibosh</span> on a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Motown</span> show down. The scheduling of Central-Western week, and homecoming week, back to back serves to be an exciting pair of weekends for alumni searching to regain some of their more youthful days. . . and falling, figuratively and literally, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">embarrassingly</span> short of said goal. There are also a few short road trip <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">possibilities</span> with games in East <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Lansing</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Ypsi</span> and Toledo.<br /><br />I just got my Texas Bowl sweatshirt last week, they were on sale at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">WMUonline</span> for $7.95, and I am looking forward to getting a shirt next year from a bowl that the Broncos are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">victorious</span> in.<br /><br />GO BRONCOS!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMe-Vgz5LMgbdi1lsqCNJUI9m3tNa5sAZav2VKSHYJhaOERwOM5AVtkkramAzUPzY_-17q77vZQYKJ1yuasgB5cs7p9QvWTBV7bWQdWabs8D0EaV9VxTepVfPS9nNad31tIqUhw1esrY6Q/s1600-h/broncos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317962066299670546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 269px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMe-Vgz5LMgbdi1lsqCNJUI9m3tNa5sAZav2VKSHYJhaOERwOM5AVtkkramAzUPzY_-17q77vZQYKJ1yuasgB5cs7p9QvWTBV7bWQdWabs8D0EaV9VxTepVfPS9nNad31tIqUhw1esrY6Q/s400/broncos.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Full schedule listed below:<br /><br /><strong>2009 Football Schedule</strong><br />Sept. 5 at Michigan<br />Sept. 12 at Indiana<br />Sept. 19 MIAMI * (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">CommUniverCity</span> Night)<br />Sept. 26 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">HOFSTRA</span><br />Oct. 3 at Northern Illinois *<br />Oct. 10 at Toledo *<br />Oct. 17 CENTRAL MICHIGAN *<br />Oct. 24 BUFFALO * (Homecoming)<br />Oct. 31 at Kent State *<br />Nov. 7 at Michigan State<br />Nov. 14 at Eastern Michigan*<br />Nov. 24 BALL STATE * (ESPN2 - 7 P.M.)<br />Dec. 4 Marathon MAC Championship (ESPN2 - Ford Field - 8 p.m.)<br />* Conference GameMr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-86001411947327326872008-11-10T07:54:00.007-05:002008-11-10T12:19:04.736-05:00Still Smiling<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zDIPPKDwFIx-TKAZCVBeH2kgQm030eDP4662W3-tBe4kVw7GaAR7pmLQxk0NYb6Jmj-CcAyJ-BCkcDi6itcq9x9VgvuPPpU07guV1UOGuYGu0-8AA2gs0ocYA524mUfe0F7iXvGrfNbT/s1600-h/simmons.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267079575424490850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zDIPPKDwFIx-TKAZCVBeH2kgQm030eDP4662W3-tBe4kVw7GaAR7pmLQxk0NYb6Jmj-CcAyJ-BCkcDi6itcq9x9VgvuPPpU07guV1UOGuYGu0-8AA2gs0ocYA524mUfe0F7iXvGrfNbT/s400/simmons.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8IcUWrJGzKJ1WuVKuu6E_u9qzoyVsBYrVyVkwldcwQN3MkN6tMBv_U31bVOUSktI2n1_OnRR6baj4O9rcmvgNDi_8uW-8it2uVuaGWJbyULtceKaurbXj-SGJ2jEJ30_RqEG8jFXXMxL/s1600-h/simmons.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXYMuhGrUxYCUayigNLL0Ev5DotmN4hDXF4GLP1ftRY3UAvIw8shoYEbUmw7s9Z92tP2b5XATRbgtgbmkkNom343FZcFmyiRGfU6czeRflOxuSJNPl96R6Tfwawyro6k2aotKDsfdkKAr/s1600-h/WMU%20vs%20Illi.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>This weekend we saw several milestones and records set. WMU made this the first time ever that the MAC had 4 victories over Big Ten Schools in one season. This is the third consecutive season with a victory over a BCS team for the Broncos. And Simmons and West broke records for career receptions and all purpose yards respectively. By the waythe former owner on these records...none other than the Green Bay Packers' Greg Jennings! Also Mr. W, hit the big 3 - 0.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>My fellow Alums and I garthered in Motown in the midst of a frigid Detroit morning for, of all things, a few cold frothy beverages, and a heartful rendition of happy birthday dedicated to yours truly, before heading into the game to support the team dearest to our hearts... WMU. We new heading into the game, that as glorious as this season has been, we may be walking out of that stadium like most people do on Sunday's after a Lions'; game disappointed with a loss but not surprised. Well fortunately neither of those two things happened. We walked out chanting "LETS GO BRONCOS!!!" in unison with 10,000 other Bronco fans. Western came away with a win, but not just a win, this was a win that saw three last minute plays from inside the 15 yard line, broken up by the WMU defenders to preserve the victory.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Western came away with some injuries on both sides of the ball. With that in mind, Western is heading into their last home game next Saturday against the Rockets of Toledo. They need to get healthy, bring the intensity to this game as well, and focus to keep the victories coming and have a full head of steam heading into Ball State .</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>In conclusion what a great weekend Western wins, the Wolverines win too, and Mr. W started the next decade of his life with his wonderful wife and friends by his side (I'll give you a minute to wipe the tear). </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Thanks to everyone!!!!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!</div></div>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-42691990791335584602008-10-15T12:06:00.005-04:002008-10-15T12:18:39.469-04:00I Don't Have a Buzz...Yet<span style="font-size:180%;color:#666666;"><strong>Let's Go Broncos!</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#666666;">By </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#666666;">MR. W</span></strong><br /><br />We are half way through Western/Central week, both teams are undefeated in the conference, and they are in the better division of the conference, and by better I mean the division that includes last years Conference Champion, a 7-0 team ranked at No.24 in the AP, another team that came away from the “Big House” victorious and a 6-1 Bronco team that is atop the conference at 4-0 in conference play. So can you feel the excitement, the buzz, the rumbling of the Bronco stampede heading for an invasion of Kelly Shorts stadium? No? Me neither. I have only seen one campus paper article this week on the game, another article that referenced the rivalry while promoting a blood drive competition and that is about it. When you look at this game the lack of enthusiasm is baffling...so if you are oblivious to the implications of this weekend's contest take a look below at some of things I will be focusing on.<br /><br />First off this is the best Western (not a reference to the hotel chain) squad I have seen since 2000. More importantly this game is extremely monumental... it sets up the Ball State match up for both of these teams as being the precursor to the MAC championship. This weekend victor is 4 games from being crowned MAC champs. If you are reading this you are most likely one of the faithful Broncos, like me, that take heed in this game because it brings validity to the program and it has historical and future implications. Three of the last four meetings have been great games with the winning margin being 7 points or less. Coach Cubit needs to best his biggest in state foe and begin the process of gaining the upper hand in this annual matchup. This is also a great opportunity to pile on to some personal stats for some of the Broncos. Quarterback Tim Hiller, for example, is averaging almost 300 yards a game, and he is eyeing LeFevour’s 3000 yard mark of last year. And finally the Kelly Shorts Stadium curse must be squashed.<br /><br /><br /> I haven’t been this proud to be a Bronco in a while and I can't wait for this weekend’s game! GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-24568260939061157772008-09-08T10:14:00.003-04:002008-09-08T11:58:02.606-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGM-YIC_HNtdQf1ASMsc8ddXEPXK0vx4gtqAhnAZDIQiiR1677YCeBPa6cTJj2MBSWvuhufGs_-lsJwWp859p-lp_IgSQiD80hyphenhyphenZ5G-77KYIxChFFOG8QhQJyJyM8jYruixfGlvel8B3j/s1600-h/JSimmons.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243679994295575074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 182px" height="233" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGM-YIC_HNtdQf1ASMsc8ddXEPXK0vx4gtqAhnAZDIQiiR1677YCeBPa6cTJj2MBSWvuhufGs_-lsJwWp859p-lp_IgSQiD80hyphenhyphenZ5G-77KYIxChFFOG8QhQJyJyM8jYruixfGlvel8B3j/s400/JSimmons.jpg" width="276" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>In the stable: </strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Tackling woes nearly bite Western Michigan's football team<br /></strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>by Graham Couch Kalamazoo Gazette<br /></strong></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span>Monday September 08, 2008, 2:49 AM<br /></span><br />KALAMAZOOAfter suffering through so many Sundays during the 2007 season, Bill Cubit will take a victory no matter how it's packaged.<br /><br />However, Western Michigan University's football coach also made it clear Sunday that the positive feeling from Saturday night's 29-26 victory over Northern Illinois will be fleeting if his team doesn't tackle better.<br /><br />The Broncos' inability to wrap-up made the situation a bit dicey in the final minute against NIU, which attempted an onside kick that would have given it the ball back with about 30 seconds to play, trailing by three<br /><br />Cubit said Northern Illinois' 80-yard touchdown drive, which began with 2:28 remaining, wasn't a result of a prevent defense, but of poor defensive execution.<br />"We missed way too many tackles," Cubit said. "That was our biggest problem on defense. We didn't get off the field real well."<br /><br />The result: WMU's offense ran only 62 plays, far short of its goal of 75.<br />Some of the issue may have been NIU's personnel, including tough-to-bring down freshman running back Me'co Brown (13 carries, 54 yards), who was featured much more than starter Justin Anderson, and fleet-footed third-string quarterback DeMarcus Grady (seven carries, 43 yards), who wasn't expected to play.<br />"They did have good athletes," said WMU junior linebacker Austin Pritchard (four tackles Saturday), part of a veteran defense that isn't known for this problem. "But, to be real honest, there's no excuse for missing tackles. If you get your hands on them, you should be able to get them down."<br />Cure for Thompson's fumbling: More hittingThe knock on Glenis Thompson early in his career at WMU was that he couldn't hang on to the football -- a serious problem if your role is that of a bruising running back.<br />Saturday, on his only carry, Thompson coughed up the ball again just across midfield with WMU leading 14-10 early in the third quarter.<br />Cubit said part of the junior running back's problem is he simply doesn't get hit enough. In practice, in an effort to keep the running backs fresh, the defense runs up to them or past them, rather than tacklingthem.<br />And Thompson doesn't get enough carries in games (he has four in two games) to get used to the pounding.<br />Cubit said late in fall camp that Thompson would play a big role in the offense, though his propensity to turn the ball over may limit that.<br />"We're going to have to make people come up and hit him more, rather than just running past him," Cubit said of practice. "We've got to get him used to getting hit. In the spring, we hit a little more and he didn't have this problem."<br />Cubit praises students, school presidentCubit called the atmosphere and turnout in the student section at Waldo Stadium Saturday night "the best ever" in his time at WMU, including his three years as an assistant during the late 1990s, when the program was winning consistently.<br />"They stayed and enjoyed themselves and it was a big, big help to us," Cubit said of a section that used to be known for checking out at halftime in favor of other nightlife activities. " ... I'm really happy with how they were."<br />Cubit said he's spoken to the freshman class the last three years, and graduate assistant and former linebacker Matt Ludeman addressed them, as well, letting the freshmen know how much they were needed.<br />"You've got to give them a reason to get there," Cubit said, adding that how his team handles itself on campus and in the community is important. "Once they get there and have a good time, it's 'Hey, this is the thing to do.'<br />"The university as a whole has done a nice job promoting school spirit. ... (WMU President) Dr. (John) Dunn is out there having lunch with students. He's out there and they relate to him. I think he promotes a lot more pride in the university than we've had in the past."<br />To read what students have to say on this matter, visit the WMU weblog at blog.mlive.com/broncosinsider.<br />Preparing for the Kibbie DomeThe University of Idaho plays in the 16,000-seat Kibbie Dome, the smallest Division I college football venue.<br />"You don't see them too much," Cubit said of the smallish dome. "There's a difference in the air. The great thing is we have the indoor (Seelye Center). I think that'll help. You can't make that big a deal out of it. Just go out there and just play."<br />Cubit said he'll likely use the Seelye Center for at least one practice this week.<br />Eastern Time in IdahoCubit said he'll keep the Broncos on Eastern Time when they make the trip to Moscow, Idaho, which is in the Pacific Time Zone.<br />"It's the first time I've ever had to go over the (upcoming) itinerary with the staff on a Sunday," Cubit said.</div>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-69580497916102913472008-09-08T10:10:00.002-04:002008-09-08T10:12:45.363-04:00Broncos Win in Front of Home Crowd<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Hiller/ West combine for Big Offense</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><strong>by MR. W.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />The Broncos Get their first win at the home opener and everyone stayed to watch. The reports from Kalamazoo Saturday state that the student section stayed filled, and active, until the end of the 29-26 win over NIU.<br /><br />Western utilized key turnovers and cool and level headed Tim Hiller to fend off the Huskies. With Brandon West racking up 175 yards rushing and Hiller avoiding a INT the offense put together a great night. The defense had a few issues but they will continue to gel and need to lean on their experience to live up to their expectations. <br /><br />Heading into Moscow, not that Moscow, next week the Broncos will be facing a team with the same 1-1 record in the smallest Division I stadium with a capacity of 16,000 in the dome. To the students and fans keep up the good work way to push your team over the hump.Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-29367329206052519002008-08-31T11:06:00.004-04:002008-09-02T13:35:35.461-04:00Graham Couch, Lincoln Nebraska<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_rHVVV5pwSCBbKqQKzWR3Rsal7H-ggTWT4AQ2-42OAfsvZUY54pzWw3WRWTD0NGWh4zxh_9aMVCM7KeWYUNfEBKURPUGxu1pQQDfiN5ZZwMTuzVAlIjv8ed3DJ09rgcG0zot9Ty0ncp0/s1600-h/hiller.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241478651608581842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" height="309" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_rHVVV5pwSCBbKqQKzWR3Rsal7H-ggTWT4AQ2-42OAfsvZUY54pzWw3WRWTD0NGWh4zxh_9aMVCM7KeWYUNfEBKURPUGxu1pQQDfiN5ZZwMTuzVAlIjv8ed3DJ09rgcG0zot9Ty0ncp0/s400/hiller.jpg" width="345" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Disadvantages pile up for Western Michigan University in football </span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">'mecca'<br /></span>by Graham Couch</strong> <strong>Kalamazoo Gazette column</strong><br />Sunday August 31, 2008, 12:26 AM<br /><br /><br />LINCOLN, Neb.Less than 24 hours before Saturday night's game, Western Michigan University's football equipment sat in a modest rental truck on a dark side street just outside Memorial Stadium.<br />A day earlier, Broncos coach Bill Cubit couldn't help but poke fun at the situation as student managers loaded their "Two Men and a Truck" from Waldo Stadium.<br />"Wonder what they'll think (at Nebraska) when we pull up with that?" Cubit joked.<a name="more"></a><br />At the Nebraskas of the college football world, of course, the equipment trucks are owned, not rented, and have fancy team logos on their sides.<br />The lack of financial equality between WMU and Nebraska, it shouldn't be forgotten, is why the Broncos found themselves on hostile turf at Memorial Stadium Saturday night -- forced to open up against a program that hasn't lost its opener since 1985.<br />Technically, Nebraska won, 47-24. Really, the final score should read: Nebraska 1-0, WMU $800,000.<br />Because for all the hopes of fans and hype provided by members of the media, Saturday was about a payday for the university -- a football program doing its duty for the sake of the athletic department.<br />47-24 -- that's what happens when mid-level programs, no matter their experience and perceived talent, walk into one of the "meccas" of college football, as Cubit called it.<br />Played on a random 100-yard patch of grass anywhere outside of the Big Red state, maybe, on the right day, WMU vs. Nebraska is a game worth watching in the fourth quarter.<br />But that's not how this works. The Cornhuskers won't be returning this one to Waldo Stadium next year (They don't even take to the road this year until Oct. 11).<br />The Broncos didn't play their best game Saturday. They needed an uneventful first quarter as much as they needed a quick start.<br />Instead, behind bad field position, shaky early play from quarterback Tim Hiller, an unlikely turnover by running back Brandon West and a defense that -- aside from a few whacks by Louis Delmas -- looked out of its league, they found themselves behind 17-0 10 seconds into the second quarter.<br />WMU made a bevy of first-half mistakes -- from off-target passes, to shallow punts and kickoffs, to failing to wrap up Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz when, at rare times, he was with in its grasp.<br />Those things can't happen, no matter how unfair the circumstance and venue, if you hope to be Boise State of 2006 or Hawaii of 2007.<br />Nebraska was simply better than its billing -- its quarterback and defense more formidable than realized.<br />Still, there's good news for Western Michigan of 2008.<br />Unlike a year ago, when Saturday would have only been the beginning of a death-march nonleague stretch, a league game at home against Northern Illinois is next.<br />The Broncos' only other BCS foe, Illinois, is two months away and the game's at Ford Field -- in what the college football higher-ups tout as a home game for the little guy, even if it's 140 miles from the little guy's home.<br />Most importantly, Saturday's result doesn't count in the Mid-American Conference standings.<br />"The tough part about this is for the fourth straight year you go into an environment that is a little bit hard," Cubit said after the loss. "The kids get all geeked up and ready to go, and we didn't handle it well (as we could have)."<br />WMU did show a bit of gumption Saturday, fighting back close enough to challenge the two-touchdown spread in the fourth quarter.<br />And, after playing in front of more than 84,000 rabid Cornhuskers, the Broncos can afford to gas up their equipment truck for the ride home.</div>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-28523501192933923282008-08-27T17:07:00.001-04:002008-08-27T17:10:26.175-04:00Get to the Game<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN3IUWMp30Ug5cgpS20msQ4ZZGcHlDDYbszOXXTQH1MvPMnLn9Zb6NwYZH4qNByvhhl63VE_VAkJTD4MJgw3W1Rmil1xWOgwyf0r68eJl1SzLmzDIGsZtgHDyYN_pSyXMzhMcQo-LeVgq/s1600-h/WMUfordfiled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239307680395348850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 470px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px" height="262" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN3IUWMp30Ug5cgpS20msQ4ZZGcHlDDYbszOXXTQH1MvPMnLn9Zb6NwYZH4qNByvhhl63VE_VAkJTD4MJgw3W1Rmil1xWOgwyf0r68eJl1SzLmzDIGsZtgHDyYN_pSyXMzhMcQo-LeVgq/s400/WMUfordfiled.bmp" width="423" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFboRBtKzmKfT-ZcpPaM9slQo1xynVT84JssXWf19QoNYKBOZcREdA8p0cBdk4gxQsYwJjjWwNfwiAoNSrajRb46KrmSu8wGuHjBKj6AISW-LFl8Fb-lbAteyScigM81pJ9poEUAF8qz0m/s1600-h/WMUfordfiled.bmp"></a> </div></div>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-23842493907369100292008-08-26T12:06:00.002-04:002008-08-26T12:08:06.694-04:00TOP TEN THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT COLLGE FOOTBALL OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL<a href="http://www.legendofcecilioguante.com/2008/08/preseason-top-10-things-we-love-about.html">http://www.legendofcecilioguante.com/2008/08/preseason-top-10-things-we-love-about.html</a>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-86175691982012325072008-08-25T21:19:00.002-04:002008-08-25T21:54:26.364-04:00One Week Prior Prediction<span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>What Could and Should be for WMU</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">by</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Mr. W</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">8/25/08 9:54 PM</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br />There are 6 days left until kickoff of the first Saturday of College Football and the wires are filled with predictions, must sees, and sure bets. It is nice to see the MAC get some well deserved coverage, even if everyone says CMU already has the MAC championship wrapped up. All signs point to Ball State being the only challenger for the CMU. We will see. WMU leads up to Central with a pretty light schedule bar the Nebraska game. Other than the Huskers, the biggest challenge will be Ohio on home coming weekend. Prior to this game the Broncos face a the bottom of last years WAC conference in Idaho and also a lowly Tennessee Tech team before heading into their conference play against perennial MAC bottom feeders Buffalo and Temple. However, both of these teams have made strides in the past two seasons under the helm of new head coaches and may be poised to bring more than expected to the grid iron this year. <br /><br />Western Michigan starts the season against a team with a storied past and grand football tradition in Nebraska. Yet this is also a Nebraska team that escaped embarrassment last year in their first contest against another MAC foe narrowly beating Ball State 41- 40. There is a chance for quite a momentum builder For the Broncos by taking this first game of the season. Another great opportunity will be when facing the Big Ten’s Illinois who will be coming off a bye week on which they may have spent more time preparing for the next weeks opponent, Ohio State. This forward looking may cause the Illini to underestimate the Broncos, especially if the run defense returns to its former self. If at this point in the season the Broncos are doing as well as they should be, they will face a Ball State team coming off a hard fought game against the Chippewas and WMU could be poised for yet another victory helped by circumstance and their own momentum.Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-5903481462626261712008-08-21T12:51:00.000-04:002008-08-21T12:52:43.323-04:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Thoughts from Thursday's WMU football scrimmage: A few new playmakers in the mix</strong><br /></span><strong>Posted by </strong><a href="http://blog.mlive.com/broncosinsiderabout.html"><a href="http://blog.mlive.com/broncosinsiderabout.html"><strong>Graham Couch Kalamazoo Gazette blog</strong></a></a><strong> August 14, 2008 23:27PM<br />Categories: </strong><a href="http://blog.mlive.com/broncosinsider/broncos_football/"><strong>Broncos Football</strong></a><br /><br /><br />KALAMAZOO -- Preseason scrimmages aren't very useful for getting a feel for a team as a whole. That's not the point of them, at least under Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit.<br />I mean, we all know what Jamarko Simmons is capable of doing. Same goes for Brandon West and Louis Delmas, etc.<br />What was learned at Thursday's scrimmage is that WMU has a few playmakers it didn't a year ago.<a name="more"></a><br />First, freshman running backs Jamie Simpson and Aaron Winchester are ready to contribute. Simpson, down from 237 in high school to about 220, is strong, fast enough and a fluid runner. He finished with eight carries for 31 yards and a 7-yard touchdown and seems to have a knack for finding the crease and adding to it.<br />Winchester is very quick and has good instincts in the open field. He's also a more powerful runner than his 5-foot-6, 190-pound frame would suggest (he's not even close to 5-9, as he's listed). He rushed five times for 41 yards and, like Simpson, looks ready for this level. Both players have been solid in pass protection, Cubit said, which is usually an issue for freshman running backs. In practice, I've seen Winchester stick pass rushers with quite a bit of oomph.<br />Winchester was wrapped up by reserve safety Vernon Stewart while trying to juke Stewart on the outside. He'll learn that he can't dance as much in Division I as he could in high school.<br />Dervon Wallace also looked good -- and fast. His wheel-around and sprint to the end zone on a 36-yard TD catch showed a knack for the big play. And with Deshon Lawrence yet to take control of the fifth receiver position, the former defensive back (he made the move this week) may be the guy, if he can master enough of the offense in the next two weeks.<br />Former linebacker Anthony Williams appears to be a find at tight end -- look for a feature on Williams in the Gazette and at mlive.com/broncos in the next few days.<br />Williams had two catches for 16 yards Thursday, including a 12-yard gain on third-and-12 where he didn't give up on the play even as quarterback Robert Arnheim had to step up from the pocket. Williams is going to play a ton and WMU is fortunate that this has worked out so well. After Branden Ledbetter and Matt Stevens, the Broncos were in search of another productive tight end.<br />As for the quarterbacks, and <a href="http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/2008/08/battle_to_be_wmus_backup_qb_fa.html">the battle for the backup job, that's addressed in this story</a>.<br />To me, both did what they do well: Drew Burdi has the better arm and the best deep ball of any of the QBs; Robert Arnheim makes things happen when things break down.<br />We might know more after next Tuesday's scrimmage.<br />Lastly, redshirt freshman punter Ben Armer is a weapon. This kid booted kicks of 50, 58, 24, 52, 42 and 46 yards Tuesday.<br />As for kicker John Potter (I finally saw him kick Wednesday -- and Thursday), the leg is there and so's the accuracy from short range. And, I think once he settles in, he'll be consistent from 40 and beyond, too. He's already an upgrade from last season in all facets.<br />Tags: <a href="http://comment-blog.advance.net/cgi-bin/mte/mt-search.cgi?tag=Aaron%20Winchester&blog_id=2171">Aaron Winchester</a>, <a href="http://comment-blog.advance.net/cgi-bin/mte/mt-search.cgi?tag=Anthony%20Williams&blog_id=2171">Anthony Williams</a>, <a href="http://comment-blog.advance.net/cgi-bin/mte/mt-search.cgi?tag=Dervon%20Wallace&blog_id=2171">Dervon Wallace</a>, <a href="http://comment-blog.advance.net/cgi-bin/mte/mt-search.cgi?tag=Drew%20Burdi&blog_id=2171">Drew Burdi</a>, <a href="http://comment-blog.advance.net/cgi-bin/mte/mt-search.cgi?tag=Jamie%20Simpson&blog_id=2171">Jamie Simpson</a>, <a href="http://comment-blog.advance.net/cgi-bin/mte/mt-search.cgi?tag=Robert%20Arnheim&blog_id=2171">Robert Arnheim</a>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-3277507871531881142008-08-21T09:40:00.001-04:002008-08-21T09:42:06.972-04:00<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A More Reserved Second Scrimmage for WMU Football</span></strong><br /><br /><strong>Courtesy: Mat Kanan, director of athletic media relations</strong><br /> <br />Release: 08/19/2008<br /><br />Michigan football held its second and final scrimmage of the preseason on Tuesday afternoon with most of the reserves handling most of the snaps. The defense pinned backs its ears for most of the afternoon, accounting for 8.0 sacks and a interception return for a touchdown off a tipped pass.<br /><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129730"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129730">Tim Hiller</a> worked very lightly during Tuesday afternoon's scrimmage. He led an opening drive for a score when he found tight end <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=541658"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=541658">Chad Baliko</a> in the back of the end zone. Later in scoring zone drills, Hiller connected with <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876095"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876095">Deshon Lawrence</a> for an 18-yard score on fourth down.<br /><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=885538"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=885538">Robert Arnheim</a> and <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392164"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392164">Alex Carder</a> worked most of the afternoon with ARnheim completing 5-of-11 passes for 17 yards and Carder making good on half of his attempts for 65 yards and a touchdown. His scoring toss lofted over the defender and into the arms of <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1552133"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1552133">Patrick Lefere</a> in the corner of the end zone 37 yards later.<br />WMU's defense acted, well like WMU's defense. Six different defenders account for at least half of a sack with <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129878"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129878">Greg Marshall</a> registering 2.5 sacks and <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129516"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129516">Zach Davidson</a> accounting to 2.0 sacks of his own. Also joining in were <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247226"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247226">Matt Pickens</a>, <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129704"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129704">Justin Braska</a> and <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1415248"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1415248">Shaun Vernon</a> with a sack apiece and <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129461"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129461">Fernand Kashama</a> with a half a sack.<br /><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129424"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129424">Londen Fryar</a> scored on a pick screen when fellow senior <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129510"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129510">Nick Varcadipane</a> tipped an attempted screen pass right to the waiting cornerback. <br />During field goal drills, <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392236"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392236">John Potter</a> made good on his first two attempts but the line broke through on the third for a block. <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876119"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876119">Harrison Porter</a> recovered the fumble and looked to be heading down the sideline for a score. Potter cleaned up by finishing the play with a text book tackle, much to the delight of the fans in attendance.<br />Western Michigan will have one more two-a-day session on Wednesday followed by a night practice under the lights on Thursday and a morning practice on Friday before breaking camp. Preparation for Nebraska officially begins on Sunday, Aug. 24 as game week is upon us. <br />Coach Cubit's first press luncheon of the season will be available to all Bronco Insider subscribers on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 26). A transcript of the press conference will be available on www.wmubroncos.com on Tuesday afternoon as well.Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-1164937629395467772008-08-21T09:40:00.000-04:002008-08-21T09:42:06.506-04:00<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A More Reserved Second Scrimmage for WMU Football</span></strong><br /><br /><strong>Courtesy: Mat Kanan, director of athletic media relations</strong><br /> <br />Release: 08/19/2008<br /><br />Michigan football held its second and final scrimmage of the preseason on Tuesday afternoon with most of the reserves handling most of the snaps. The defense pinned backs its ears for most of the afternoon, accounting for 8.0 sacks and a interception return for a touchdown off a tipped pass.<br /><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129730"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129730">Tim Hiller</a> worked very lightly during Tuesday afternoon's scrimmage. He led an opening drive for a score when he found tight end <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=541658"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=541658">Chad Baliko</a> in the back of the end zone. Later in scoring zone drills, Hiller connected with <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876095"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876095">Deshon Lawrence</a> for an 18-yard score on fourth down.<br /><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=885538"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=885538">Robert Arnheim</a> and <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392164"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392164">Alex Carder</a> worked most of the afternoon with ARnheim completing 5-of-11 passes for 17 yards and Carder making good on half of his attempts for 65 yards and a touchdown. His scoring toss lofted over the defender and into the arms of <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1552133"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1552133">Patrick Lefere</a> in the corner of the end zone 37 yards later.<br />WMU's defense acted, well like WMU's defense. Six different defenders account for at least half of a sack with <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129878"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129878">Greg Marshall</a> registering 2.5 sacks and <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129516"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129516">Zach Davidson</a> accounting to 2.0 sacks of his own. Also joining in were <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247226"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247226">Matt Pickens</a>, <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129704"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129704">Justin Braska</a> and <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1415248"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1415248">Shaun Vernon</a> with a sack apiece and <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129461"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129461">Fernand Kashama</a> with a half a sack.<br /><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129424"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129424">Londen Fryar</a> scored on a pick screen when fellow senior <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129510"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129510">Nick Varcadipane</a> tipped an attempted screen pass right to the waiting cornerback. <br />During field goal drills, <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392236"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392236">John Potter</a> made good on his first two attempts but the line broke through on the third for a block. <a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876119"></a><a class="ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876119">Harrison Porter</a> recovered the fumble and looked to be heading down the sideline for a score. Potter cleaned up by finishing the play with a text book tackle, much to the delight of the fans in attendance.<br />Western Michigan will have one more two-a-day session on Wednesday followed by a night practice under the lights on Thursday and a morning practice on Friday before breaking camp. Preparation for Nebraska officially begins on Sunday, Aug. 24 as game week is upon us. <br />Coach Cubit's first press luncheon of the season will be available to all Bronco Insider subscribers on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 26). A transcript of the press conference will be available on www.wmubroncos.com on Tuesday afternoon as well.Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-73854173466110309292008-08-19T16:18:00.005-04:002008-08-19T16:35:17.113-04:00<span style="font-size:180%;color:#330000;"><strong>W. M. U. Football - 2008 Schedule </strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#330000;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#663300;">Date/ Opponent /Location /Time (EST)/ TV</span> </strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#330000;">Sat, Aug 30 /Nebraska at Lincoln, Neb./ 7 p.m. /FSN Pay-Per-View<br /><br /><br />Sat, Sep 06 /Northern Illinois, /at Kalamazoo/ 7 p.m.<br /><br /><br />Sat, Sep 13/ Idaho,/ at Moscow, Idaho /5 p.m.<br /><br /><br />Sat, Sep 20 /Tennessee Tech, /at Kalamazoo /7 p.m.<br /><br /><br />Sat, Sep 27 /Temple,/ at Philadelphia /2 p.m.<br /><br /><br />Sat, Oct 04 /Ohio, /at Kalamazoo /2 p.m.<br /><br /><br />Sat, Oct 11 /Buffalo,/ at Buffalo, N.Y./ 3:30 p.m./ Time Warner Cable SportsNet<br /><br /><br />Sat, Oct 18 /Central Michigan, /at Mt. Pleasant /12 p.m. /ESPN+<br /><br /><br />Sat, Nov 01 /Eastern Michigan, /at Kalamazoo /2 p.m.<br /><br />Sat, Nov 08 /Illinois /at Detroit,(Ford Field) /12 p.m. /ESPN+<br /><br /><br />Sat, Nov 15/ Toledo, /at Kalamazoo, /2 p.m.<br /><br /><br /><br />Tue, Nov 25 Ball State/ at Muncie, Ind. /6 p.m. /ESPN360<br /><br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-13940271596514022942008-08-18T09:44:00.003-04:002008-08-18T09:53:51.058-04:00Of InterestOther Places to check out.<br /><br /><a href="http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/the-quad-countdown-no-67-western-michigan/#comment-40361">http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/the-quad-countdown-no-67-western-michigan/#comment-40361</a><br /><br /><a href="http://westernmichigan.rivals.com/default.asp">http://westernmichigan.rivals.com/default.asp</a><br /><br /><a href="http://mgoblog.com/">http://mgoblog.com/</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.autumnthunder.blogspot.com/">http://www.autumnthunder.blogspot.com/</a>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-19665597404209159272008-08-18T08:35:00.004-04:002008-08-18T08:58:54.128-04:00<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9kr10vfLY-o0EVfOtmXrfqx3VUWGyiBInvCP2h4HaJkDcjtOyqYJm2w9_VAINvhvbngNbJVEOnp7h8yi5rAgPHn4A_uYZNhFiJmniKVy9-9NX9G2Ma_wcBvXFYA-RleEeH1i_lWYIbRC/s1600-h/AP8-17.bmp"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsQv4wOIVGbdGlhTk0tr4ImfdnQbKEh-aACBZaJYjtEqgRiCG8cLoneL6I9PlJA841CDa6c2Z8Oa_LvQo4qquAVEUJDWBBE1gafxh_A4eno-iFaxVnShQvheB2DGV3C2RpuEj0az6Xszu/s1600-h/AP8-17.bmp"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">AP Rankings Released</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">by Mr. W</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br />The college rankings have come out and the AP poll has 5 SEC teams in the top 10. The SEC is getting a big boost as a conference due to the fact that the have the winningest group of head coaches in the country. However, with regard to the rest of the rankings I have a hard time putting too much weight behind this initial poll. First of all pre season ranking has always been a little suspect in my eyes. With only several practices and inter squad scrimmages under their belts the evaluation process is based highly on hype and returning players. Second of all after last years rendition of musical chairs with the top 5 spots the idea that any prediction this far out will be totally accurate is far fetched. The perennial USC, Ohio State, Florida and LSU are of course lurking around the top. Not astonishing, these teams have proven track records and are legacy programs with several returning experienced players. The teams I am interested in seeing if they can actually hold up to the hype are Missouri ranked at its highest preseason ranking, at No. 6. Pittsburgh breaking the Top 25, who I predict, will most likely drop out of the ranks in the first few weeks of conference play. Finally, it will be interesting to see if No. 8 West Virginia and new head coach Bill Stewart can ride in the wake of Rich Rodriguez and keep the team playing at the recent year’s level.<br /><br />I won’t deny that I am a little bitter at the fact the Michigan received nearly 50 less points than No. 25 Pittsburgh, but I do agree that this team will need to prove itself. With a walk on QB accompanying a true freshman in the backfield, combined with a new offense for the entire team to learn, the road schedule, not to mention the conference schedule could eat these guys up.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV_o7f09hrP5UD6Rbu9istSengCqNbUE43PzP2gKjGE-WbAAjv4WkQx-x-0QIyC2ZKkkChL4Dk5ShJHy7fAPITiLWTvWpyBCkVjkX2xX7bcqQ76EKFiJmj9Wg2v4Pq-4xqUcSW6ahV2B7/s1600-h/AP8-17.bmp"></a></div></div></div>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-39468649250725032852008-08-15T13:05:00.012-04:002008-08-18T10:28:31.700-04:00Fall Favorites and a Slight Prediction<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVv1r4fZ1mjYO8UYHJE8sbaQWnGsg2yOubp3rE5R6ReQj-JsD9yN-Sq9lF8oCGzu62u76hOcxYoJ-kFKNeYgiUG5om89muNUexMz9llffA29DJshMppQlwVM_LeuTpg7mcpJ_M5o2dnnos/s1600-h/campus.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235864427454873682" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" height="276" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVv1r4fZ1mjYO8UYHJE8sbaQWnGsg2yOubp3rE5R6ReQj-JsD9yN-Sq9lF8oCGzu62u76hOcxYoJ-kFKNeYgiUG5om89muNUexMz9llffA29DJshMppQlwVM_LeuTpg7mcpJ_M5o2dnnos/s400/campus.jpg" width="340" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCx-JrEBul7U4hjHDfJBtb9GmUGPlJ9szJn2E6Up0lB0I6ncVMFdinmRORKuzKHgY0lHg_7D8byXhFqeYwIgSDIxOFUZ9ILTOZjXoQeg58K5a8UdSYHr68_gbr-smO-w-qRPbfyT7Hi2v/s1600-h/tailgate.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWasKss5oPFBf1ydOh3DwI5u5JNdjYT1ZmfF8Zr2PV5SefcTm8RqCZ_NOyBa_bP9hEtmuYe_GhbUwxDHMcDy0okj9O3vzHY75y3tA2hRkcId3saYLofiz_-44OGHVWXtKVIeEh4aXkYd5/s1600-h/campus.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM3S8m5cgaPVgn6W8rxwQZDf67LMX-HPa4cnerLD9DW2DafmGfw5GIgdIpfsTktNiLO_NstHvqB0PzxC_ppQqOSIRlcNgqP-nZyhCScL2opT0o0h5H8oCdV2set95YfI_vagy5loeYhFv/s1600-h/WMUStadium.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>by Mr. W</strong></span><br /><br />College football is a mere two weeks away. And I am feigning for all things <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NCAAF</span></span>. Game Day, Thursday Night Games, Coaches poll debates, Homecomings all stir up <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">excitement</span> within any fan. But for me the thing that takes the cake is just Saturdays in the fall; as those crisp, sunny, limitless blue sky days of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Autumn</span> quickly approach, it reinforces that soon the rituals of Saturday will begin. Whether you are going to be spending your day tailgating and in you team's stadium, at a buddies man cave, at the local watering hole, or at home on your couch with your 15 year old lucky sweatshirt from your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">alma</span></span> mater, you have to agree Fall Saturday’s are different. As soon as you wake up, there is that feeling that something is going to happen that day.<br />If you are like me, you have one or two teams you are emotionally connected to, be it your or your spouse's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">alma</span></span> mater, the school you applied to but never got accepted by, or just the home town team that you grew up watching. This adds to the anticipation as you prep for the main game of the day. You hang flags in the front yard, you don team colors and head to the stadium parking lot to relive your younger years, or meet up with fellow fans to cheer your team on for the afternoon. Is there anything better than this? I think not.<br /><br />This year will be memorable for me as Michigan fan. With the era of new coach, Rich Rodriguez beginning and a road trip to the Purdue game in midst of being planned I am definitely looking forward to the start of the season. I am also excited for my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">alma</span></span> mater <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">WMU</span></span>’s season. They were overrated last year and definitely did not live up to their projected success. However they ended the season on high note by trouncing the Iowa <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hawkeyes</span></span> in the last game of the season. With a vast amount of returning players on defense and a strong <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Reciving</span> core plus some great <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">TEs</span> I am predicting a surprisingly successful season this fall.<br /><br /><br />Go Broncos! Go BLUE!<br /><br />Mr. W.</div></div></div></div>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064516628397185645.post-41682792681345867262008-08-15T11:40:00.008-04:002008-08-18T08:45:31.791-04:00Western Gearing Up<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_7Ejp6_r1a1ZfUPnJm2ZMt6ciVwck4vXZOGStk3mdCZf5BQtGLNPh4HOhQQzW_TWTTzSyukAq323oJc_4CeUV-K9fCaS7KE5NCd_jzOtyB5yi5eXwFpAnkEuyK2AxnxcyKQSnChAMnte/s1600-h/campus.jpg"></a><br /><div>The inaugural post of this blog is the motivation behind the it. I couldn't find any good blogger conversations regarding Bronco Footbal. Comments welcome what are your predictions for the Broncos in Fall 2008?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>WMU Football Holds First Preseason Scrimmage<br />Courtesy: Mat Kanan, director of athletic media relations<br /><br /></strong></span>Release: 08/14/2008<br /><br />Courtesy: WMU<a class="EC_photolink" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com/?ATCLID=1554624&SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600" target="_blank">http://www.wmubroncos.com/?ATCLID=1554624&SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600</a><br />KALAMAZOO, Mich. - On a day when most of the first team saw limited repetitions, the Western Michigan football showcased the talents of guys working for position on the depth chart. Included in this group were newcomers <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392272" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392272" target="_blank">Aaron Winchester</a> and <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392257" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392257" target="_blank">Jamie Simpson</a> who each ran the ball well on Thursday afternoon.<br />The diminutive Winchester took on all would-be tacklers, rushing the ball 10 times for 45 yards and a pair of first downs. On the other end of the size spectrum, Simpson rumbled through the defense for 35 yards on eight carries, scoring the scrimmage lone rushing touchdown from seven yards out.<br /><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129730" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129730" target="_blank">Tim Hiller</a> began the scrimmage as the first team offense worked against the second defense. This was the theme of Thursday's scrimmage as the first team defense worked primarily against the second team offense. Hiller went 5-for-7 for 41 yards and four first downs. He connected with tight end <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129902" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129902" target="_blank">Matt Stevens</a> on the first play for a gain of 12 yards and followed with completetions to <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129475" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129475" target="_blank">Jamarko Simmons</a> for two and 13 yards, respectively, <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129548" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129548" target="_blank">Branden Ledbetter</a> for 13 yards and <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876094" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876094" target="_blank">Schneider Julien</a> for nine yards.<br />Back ups <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=246988" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=246988" target="_blank">Drew Burdi</a> and <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=885538" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=885538" target="_blank">Robert Arnheim</a> also worked with members of the first team offense throughout the afternoon. Burdi's highlight came on a 50-yard completion down the sideline to sophomore wideout <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247224" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247224" target="_blank">Juan Nunez</a>. Burdi completed four passes on eight attempts for 61 yards. Arnheim through the lone scoring strike of the day, connecting with <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876121" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=876121" target="_blank">Dervon Wallace</a>, who spun after the catch and turned upfield for a 36-yard score. Arnheim completed 4-of-10 passes for 48 yards. Freshman <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392164" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392164" target="_blank">Alex Carder</a> worked with the second and third team offense, completing 6-of-7 passes for 57 yards and two first downs.<br />Wallace was the leading receiver in yards with 43, while freshman walk-on <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1552146" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1552146" target="_blank">E.J. Riley</a> hauled in three catches late for 25 yards. Only Riley, Wallace, <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392241" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392241" target="_blank">Chris Prom</a> and <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247233" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247233" target="_blank">Anthony Williams</a> recorded multiple receptions.<br /><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247229" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247229" target="_blank">Glenis Thompson</a> worked most of the time with the first offense, carrying the ball eight times for 23 yards and a pair of first downs.<br />Defensively, <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129703" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129703" target="_blank">E.J. Biggers</a> made his presence known, either knocking away passes or separating the intended receiver from the ball for three pass break ups. The Bronco defense registered seven PBUs and five sacks (despite not being able to actually bring the quarterback down). Defensive end <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129878" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129878" target="_blank">Greg Marshall</a> was in one one sack, while <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=204278" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=204278" target="_blank">Dan Krasinski</a>, <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129511" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=129511" target="_blank">Cory Flom</a>, <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247227" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=247227" target="_blank">Chris Pyant</a> and freshman <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392231" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392231" target="_blank">Weston Peiffer</a> recorded the others.<br /><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392236" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1392236" target="_blank">John Potter</a> made good on a pair of field goals within 30 yards, came up short on a 46-yard attempt into the wind and pushed a 52-yard attempt just left near the end of the scrimmage. A second 52-yard attempt was blocked. <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1346547" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1346547" target="_blank">Chris Kelly</a> made good on 1-of-2 attempts, while <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=542861" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=542861" target="_blank">Brooks Bunbury</a> and <a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1243965" target="_blank"></a><a class="EC_ARTICLELINK" href="http://www.wmubroncos.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1243965" target="_blank">Caleb Morris</a> each failed on their lone attempts of the afternoon.<br />Western Michigan will resume practice on Friday with a two-a-day session with another two-a-day on Monday sandwiched around an afternoon session on Saturday. The Broncos next and final team scrimmage will take place Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 19.</div>Mr. W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03317812147649999480noreply@blogger.com0