A year ago Western Michigan University won one football game. This year the Broncos will play Air Force in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
The Broncos finished the season with an 8-4 record and earned an invitation to the bowl game in Boise. Kalamazoo Gazette reporter David Drew told WMUK's Gordon Evans that the turnaround from last year is remarkable. He says the Broncos were "awful" in many areas last year. But Drew says the improvement of returning players and contributions of new comers such as freshman running back Jarvion Franklin helped Western make a big jump.
Air Force enters the game with a 9-3 record. Drew says the Falcons' offense is unique and tough to prepare for. On defense, he says Air Force will try to confuse Western's offense.
Many projections had Western playing a bowl game in the Bahamas or Boca Raton, Florida. Drew says while a warm weather destination may sound more appealing, the bowl game in Boise is in its 18th year, and is considered well-run. Drew says it gets support from the Boise community. He says a Saturday kickoff at 5:45 as one of the first bowl games this season may also draw a bigger television audience than some other bowl games tied in to the Mid-American Conference.
Western Michigan University has never won a football bowl game. Drew says it would be "absolutely huge" to win on Saturday. But he says regardless of the outcome, the future looks bright for Western football. Drew says most of the major contributors will be back next season, and the Broncos have another highly regarded recruiting class. Head coach P.J. Fleck's name has been mentioned for openings at other schools. Drew expects Fleck to be back at least for next season. The university is working on a contract extension for its coach. Drew says that would likely include a raise for Fleck, but may also increase any buyout for him taking another job.
