Ben Kenney
August 26, 2024 10:00 am CT
The Wisconsin Badgers finally kick off their 2024 football season this week.
Opponent No. 1 is Western Michigan, one of two lighter nonconference matchups for the Badgers before the gauntlet schedule begins in earnest on Sept. 14. Friday night’s opener presents a valuable opportunity for Luke Fickell and his staff to start the season strong after 2023’s up-and-down performance.
Related: Final Wisconsin football game-by-game predictions entering 2024 season
Friday’s season opener will be about seeing signs of growth from the Badgers on both sides of the football. The game will see the first official snaps for Miami transfer QB Tyler Van Dyke, the first look at the team’s revamped linebacker room and a look at what’s changed since the team’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to LSU.
For more on the team on the opposing sideline, which shouldn’t pose too much of a threat, here is everything to know about the 2024 Western Michigan Broncos:
Overview
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Western Michigan Broncos cornerback Keni-H Lovely (2) and cornerback DaShon Bussell (0) react after an interception against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 4-8 (T-4 in the MAC West)
SP+ Ranking: No. 110 (-12.9)
Western Michigan was one of the worst teams in the MAC in 2023. ESPN SP+ sees a similar caliber in 2024, as the Broncos are ranked as a bottom-20 team entering the season.
Coaching Staff
Sep 9, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Western Michigan Broncos head coach Lance Taylor reacts to a play against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach: Lance Taylor
Offensive Coordinator:Walt Bell (QBs coach)
Defensive coordinator:Scott Power (Safeties coach)
Key Players
Sep 9, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Western Michigan Broncos quarterback Hayden Wolff (11) passes the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Offense:
- QB Hayden Wolff
- RB Jalen Buckley
- WR Kenneth Womack
Defense:
- S Tate Hallock
- CB Aaron Wofford
- LB Donald Willis
Offensive Breakdown
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Western Michigan Broncos quarterback Treyson Bourguet (2) and running back Jalen Buckley (29) in action during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Season Stats:
- 23.7 points per game, 365.0 total yards per game
- 211.2 passing yards per game, 13 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, 30 sacks allowed
- 153.8 rushing yards-per-game, 3.9 yards-per-carry, 21 touchdowns
Western Michigan was mostly a poor offense in 2023, ranking No. 91 in points per game and No. 80 in total offense. Those marks both came against a light MAC schedule.
The unit does return most of its production, however. Starting QB Hayden Wolff, leading rusher RB Jalen Buckley and leading receiver WR Kenneth Womack are all back. That is good news for the Broncos in that returning production usually leads to future success. It isn’t good news, however, in that the returning players mostly struggled in 2023.
On the surface, Buckley is the engine of the Broncos’ offense. He rushed for 1,003 yards and 10 touchdowns on only 189 carries last season, also adding 161 yards through the air.
Overall, this unit shouldn’t pose much of a challenge to Fickell and Mike Tressel’s defense.
Defensive Breakdown
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton Aidan Hall (28) fumbles the ball near the goal line as Western Michigan Broncos cornerback Aaron Wofford (25) and linebacker Damari Roberson (4) make the tackle during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Season Stats:
- 31.8 points allowed-per-game
- 393.3 yards allowed-per-game
- 234.6 passing
- 158.8 rushing
- Nine interceptions, eight forced fumbles
The 2023 Western Michigan Broncos allowed 41 points to the Iowa Hawkeyes. That should show enough about the caliber of the team’s defense entering 2024.
Leading tacklers safety Tate Hallock and cornerback Aaron Wofford are both back, as is top linebacker Donald Willis. The Broncos also added DL Popeye Williams (Louisville) and S Ryan Raybuck (St. Anselm College) via the transfer portal this offseason.
Overall, it is a clear winnable matchup for Phil Longo’s offense. The Broncos project to be susceptible via both the air and the ground. That should create a different dynamic than 2023’s less-than-dominant opener against Buffalo.
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