Football Broncos suffer first loss of season in Cotton Bowl
KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥擳he No. 15-ranked Western Michigan University football Broncos' record-breaking season came to an end Monday with a 16-24 loss to No. 8 Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium.
Under the direction of head coach P.J. Fleck, 51福利社 was 13-0 going into the bowl game after beating Ohio University 29-23 in the Mid-American Conference Championship game Dec. 2.
51福利社's Cotton Bowl appearance marked the second time in conference history that a MAC team was selected for a New Year's Six bowl game.
A season of firsts
The football Broncos achieved 73 program firsts this season, including beating two Big Ten teams and being nationally ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, USA Today Amway Coaches Poll and College Football Playoff ranking.
ESPN College GameDay came to campus Nov. 19 ahead of the Broncos' 38-0 win over Buffalo, making 51福利社 the second MAC school ever to be featured as a host of the Emmy Award-winning pregame show.
Fans responded to the team's unprecedented success by setting a home attendance record of more than 143,000 at Waldo Stadium and a MAC Championship attendance record of more than 45,000 at Ford Field.
Looking ahead
51福利社's 2017 season opener is Sept. 2 at University of Southern California.
51福利社 2017 non-conference schedule
- Sept. 2 at USC
- Sept. 9 at Michigan State
- Sept. 16 home versus Idaho
- Sept. 23 home versus Wagner
For game and individual statistics, videos and interviews, visit .
For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.
Related articles
Seven football Broncos named MAC Distinguished Scholar Athletes | Dec. 27, 2016
Two Bronco football players named FWAA All-Americans | Dec. 15, 2016
51福利社 wide receiver Corey Davis earns multiple all-America honors | Dec. 8, 2016
51福利社 quarterback Zach Terrell wins National Football Foundation's Campbell Trophy | Dec. 8, 2016
51福利社 football coach P.J. Fleck named regional coach of the year | Dec. 7, 2016
51福利社 football Broncos are headed to the Cotton Bowl | Dec. 4, 2016
51福利社 to host watch party for football bowl announcements | Dec. 3, 2016
Football Broncos head to MAC Championship | Dec. 2, 2016
Community send-off set as 51福利社 football team heads for Detroit | Nov. 30, 2016
Football Broncos beat Toledo 55-35 to claim MAC West Championship | Nov. 28, 2016
51福利社 football at 11-0 after 38-0 win over Buffalo | Nov. 20, 2016
ESPN College GameDay coming to 51福利社 Saturday | Nov. 13, 2016
51福利社 football improves to 10-0 and climbs in rankings | Nov. 8, 2016
Football Broncos move up to No. 14 in AP rankings | Nov. 7, 2016
Terrell named National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete | Nov. 2, 2016
Football Broncos remain undefeated after a win at Ball State | Nov. 2, 1016
Football Broncos move up to No. 17 in AP Poll | Oct. 31, 2016
Football Broncos remain undefeated after 45-31 win over EMU | Oct. 24, 2016
Football Broncos move up to No. 20 in AP Poll | Oct. 17, 2016
Football Broncos earn first ever national ranking | Oct. 6, 2016
Broncos head into fall with updated look and revamped athletics website | Sept. 15, 2016