The Western Michigan Broncos, ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in school history, did everything and more to solidify that standing Saturday afternoon at InfoCision Stadium.
The Broncos established a dominating tone on both sides of the ball from the opening kickoff en route to a 41-0 beatdown of the University of Akron.
Running back Jarvion Franklin led the way, rushing for a school-record 281 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries.
It wasn’t difficult to tell when the game essentially ended. That moment came on a fourth-and-1 for the Zips at their own 45-yard line and already trailing 21-0 with 13:33 left in the second quarter.
Quarterback Tra’Von Chapman, starting his third consecutive game in place of injured starter Thomas Woodson, tried to run up the gut of the Broncos defense — only to find linebacker Robert Spillane waiting in the hole to throw him for a 1-yard loss.
The No. 24 Broncos took advantage of the stop, marching 44 yards for a 27-0 lead on Davon Tucker’s 13-yard run.
The extra point failed, but it was of no matter because the Broncos had plenty of answers for UA’s offense. The Zips struggled all afternoon, rarely coming close to finding a rhythm. And when they did, they became their own worst enemy.
With the Zips driving and at the Broncos’ 15-yard line, Chapman dropped back to throw, scrambled to his left and eventually arrived back to his right and tried to hit wide receiver JoJo Natson at the 3-yard line. Instead, he threw the pass short and linebacker Kasey Carson stepped in front of it for an interception with 3:10 left in the first half.
In the third quarter, UA was driving again as a 44-yard pass from Chapman to Austin Wolf put the Zips at the Western 34-yard line. After surviving an interception by the Broncos — which was overturned on instant replay — the Zips were forced to punt after a loss on a run, an incomplete pass and an intentional grounding penalty.
Chapman finished 13-of-31 passing for 153 yards and two interceptions. He fared better playing to his strength — running the ball — with 49 yards on the ground.
The offense struggled right along with Chapman, as the Broncos rolled to a huge 585-283 advantage in total yards.
Notes
• The shutout was the first for the Zips in the InfoCision era and the first during Terry Bowden’s tenure as UA coach.
• Franklin became the second player to run for 250-plus yards against the Zips this season.