2008 Western Michigan Broncos football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2012 2008 Western Michigan Broncos Western Michigan Broncos text logo.svg Mid-American Conference MAC West 9–4 6–2 Bill Cubit 4th Steve Morrison 1st Multiple 4–3 Waldo Stadium(Capacity: 30,200) Texas Bowl L 14–38 vs. Rice The 2008 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the 2008 NCAA football season. The team was coached by Bill Cubit and played their homes game in Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Western Michigan was 9–4 overall and 6–2 in the Mid-American Conference after defeating conference opponents Northern Illinois, Temple, Ohio, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan and Toledo, Big Ten Conference member Illinois, Western Athletic Conference member Idaho and Football Championship Subdivision team 2008 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Tennessee Technological University Tennessee Tech. Western Michigan lost to Nebraska, rival Central Michigan and Ball State. Western Michigan played in the 2008 Texas Bowl, where they fell to Rice on December 30, 2008. Over the course of the 2008 season, the Broncos received votes in the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll, culminating with a top 30 ranking and 9–2 record in week 13. The Broncos no longer received votes after dropping their final two games. Preseason left|thumb|Football team during a preseason practice at Waldo Stadium. WMU was picked to finish third in the West Division, according to the MAC News Media Association. The Broncos also earned two first place votes and one vote to win the MAC Championship Game. Rival Central Michigan was picked to win the West Division. Bowling Green was selected to win the East Division. Watch lists Louis Delmas, FS – East–West Shrine Game Londen Fryar, CB – East–West Shrine Game, Jim Thorpe Award2008-07-09 Western Michigan university cornerback named to 2008 Jim Thorpe Watch List http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/x379984530/Western-Michigan-university-cornerback-named-to-2008-Jim-Thorpe-Watch-List dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110614155141/http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/x379984530/Western-Michigan-university-cornerback-named-to-2008-Jim-Thorpe-Watch-List June 14, 2011 July 29, 2008 mdy-all Branden Ledbetter, TE – John Mackey Award2008-07-31 Ledbetter Named to Mackey Watch List for Second-Straight Year https://wmubroncos.com/news/2008/7/31/1545820.aspx live 2021-05-24 wmubroncos.com Western Michigan University Athletics https://web.archive.org/web/20210517023913/https://wmubroncos.com/news/2008/7/31/1545820.aspx May 17, 2021 Jamarko Simmons, WR – East–West Shrine Game Recruiting class The 2008 recruiting class was ranked #1 in the MAC and #65 overall by Rivals.Kanan Mat 2008-02-07 Votes are In - WMU is Rated Best by Rivals.com http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1384409 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110718011343/http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1384409 July 18, 2011 February 8, 2008 wmubroncos.com mdy-all Schedule 2008 USA Today Coaches' Poll Eastern August 30 7:00 pm l y y Nebraska Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska Fox Sports Net 24–47 84,485 September 6 7:00 pm w Northern Illinois Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, Michigan 29–26 26,262 September 13 5:00 pm w y y Idaho Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho ALT 51–28 15,003 September 20 7:00 pm w y 2008 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Tennessee Technological University Tennessee Tech Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, Michigan 41–7 19,768 September 27 2:00 pm w y Temple Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia 7–3 17,624 October 4 2:00 pm w y Ohio Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, Michigan 41–20 20,133 October 11 3:30 pm w y Buffalo University at Buffalo Stadium Amherst, New York TWCSN 34–28 OT 15,025 October 18 12:00 pm l y Central Michigan CMU–WMU Rivalry Trophy, Michigan MAC Trophy Kelly/Shorts Stadium Mount Pleasant, Michigan ESPN GamePlan 28–38 30,302 November 1 2:00 pm w Eastern Michigan Michigan MAC Trophy Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, Michigan 31–10 19,917 November 8 12:00 pm w y y Illinois Ford Field Detroit ESPN GamePlan 23–17 12,865 November 15 2:00 pm w Toledo Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, Michigan FSN Detroit/FSN Ohio 27–17 12,336 November 25 7:00 pm l y Ball State 15 Scheumann Stadium Muncie, Indiana ESPN2 22–45 23,861 December 30 8:00 pm l y y Rice Texas Bowl Reliant Stadium Houston NFL Network 14–38 58,880 Game summaries Nebraska Western Michigan (0–1) 0 10 7 7 Nebraska (1–0) 14 20 10 3 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team Nebraska jumped out to a 17–0 lead in the second quarter that Western Michigan could not recover from. WMU quarterback Tim Hiller was 30 of 49 for 342 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Branden Ledbetter caught nine balls for 123 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos were held to eight rushing yards for the game. Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Northern Illinois Northern Illinois (0–2) 7 3 3 13 Western Michigan (1–1) 7 7 0 15 2008 Northern Illinois Huskies football team In the Mid-American Conference opening game for both teams, WMU overcame a 19–14 fourth quarter NIU lead with two Tim Hiller touchdown passes in the span of three minutes and six seconds. Hiller completed 21 of 30 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns for the game and running back Brandon West carried the ball 25 times for 175 yards. NIU was playing without its freshman starting quarterback Chandler Harnish who left the game in the first quarter due to an injury. NIU outgained WMU 439 to 384 in total yards and had possession of the ball for 34:20 opposed to WMU's 25:40 time of possession. Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Idaho Western Michigan (2–1) 7 7 23 14 Idaho (1–2) 7 0 7 14 After Idaho scored early in the third quarter to tie the game at 14–14, WMU outscored the Vandals 37–14 to cruise to a 51–28 win over the Western Athletic Conference member. WMU quarterback Tim Hiller completed 23 of 31 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Jamarko Simmons caught six passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Despite outgaining WMU 455 yards to 416 yards, Idaho could not stop WMU from scoring 23 points in 4:32 during the third quarter to put the game away. Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Tennessee Tech Tennessee Tech (2–2) 7 0 0 0 Western Michigan (3–1) 13 14 14 0 Led by quarterback Tim Hiller's five touchdown passes, Western Michigan defeated Football Championship Subdivision opponent Tennessee Tech 41–7. The Broncos outgained Tennessee Tech 633 yards to 251 and gained 30 first downs compared to 13. Hiller completed 27 of 31 passes for 333 yards and running back Brandon West carried the ball for 133 yards and a touchdown on 14 rushes. Wide receiver Jamarko Simmons led all receivers with 10 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Temple Western Michigan (4–1) 0 0 7 0 Temple (1–4) 3 0 0 0 Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Ohio Ohio (1–5) 0 7 0 13 Western Michigan (5–1) 5 6 10 20 Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Buffalo Western Michigan (6–1) 0 3 3 22 6 Buffalo (2–4) 7 7 7 7 0 Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Central Michigan Western Michigan (6–2) 7 7 7 7 Central Michigan (5–2) 14 7 7 10 Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Eastern Michigan Eastern Michigan (2–8) 0 7 3 0 Western Michigan (7–2) 10 7 0 14 Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Illinois Illinois (5–5) 7 0 3 7 Western Michigan (8–2) 3 17 0 3 https://archive.today/20130103055636/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283132711 Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Toledo Toledo (2–8) 7 0 0 10 Western Michigan (9–2) 0 10 10 7 Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Ball State 2008 Ball State Cardinals football team Western Michigan (9–3) 7 7 0 8 Ball State (12–0) 14 10 14 7 Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Rice 2008 Texas Bowl 2008 Rice Owls football team Western Michigan (9–4) 0 0 0 14 Rice (10–3) 10 14 7 7 Recap | Boxscore | WMU pregame notes Awards Mid-American Conference Player of the Week Offense Tim Hiller, QB (2) – week 3 (23–31, 74.2%, 241 yards, four touchdowns),2008-09-15 MAC Recognizes Football Players of the Week http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1582698 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090241/http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1582698 July 20, 2011 September 15, 2008 mac-sports.com mdy-all week 7 (42–63, 345 yards, four touchdowns, school record for pass completions and attempts)2008-10-13 MAC Recognizes Football Players of the Week http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1602595 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090658/http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1602595 July 20, 2011 October 13, 2008 mac-sports.com mdy-all Jamarko Simmons, WR – week 11 (11 catches, 174 yards, touchdown)2008-11-10 MAC Awards Football Players of the Week http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1621897 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090803/http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1621897 July 20, 2011 November 10, 2008 mac-sports.com mdy-all Defense E. J. Biggers, CB – week 10 (Nine tackles, one tackle for a loss, interception, pass break up)2008-11-03 MAC Honors Football Players of the Week http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1617134 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090753/http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1617134 July 20, 2011 November 3, 2008 mac-sports.com mdy-all Louis Delmas, FS (2) – week 2 (10 tackles, interception, fumble recovery),2008-09-08 MAC Names Football Players of the Week http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1577505 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090227/http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1577505 July 20, 2011 September 8, 2008 mac-sports.com mdy-all week 11 (12 tackles) Boston McCornell, LB – week 5 (10 tackles (six solo tackles), forced fumble, fumble recovery)2008-09-29 MAC Announces Football Players of the Week http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1592475 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090323/http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1592475 July 20, 2011 September 30, 2008 mac-sports.com mdy-all Special teams John Potter, PK – week 11 (three field goals (31, 22, 45 yards), two point after touchdowns) Brandon West, RB/KR – week 6 (239 all-purpose yards, three touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving))2008-10-06 MAC Announces Football Players of the Week http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1597669 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090419/http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1597669 July 20, 2011 October 6, 2008 mac-sports.com mdy-all Aaron Winchester, RB/KR – week 12 (71 kick return yards, 111 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards, 204 all-purpose yards)2008-11-17 MAC Awards Football Player of the Week Honors http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1627186 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090814/http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1627186 July 20, 2011 November 17, 2008 mac-sports.com mdy-all Mid-American Conference Scholar Athlete of the Week Tim Hiller, QB – week 2, week 3September 20, 2008 Hiller Repeats as MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week https://wmubroncos.com/news/2008/9/20/1586255.aspx live 2021-05-24 wmubroncos.com Western Michigan University Athletics https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104534/http://wmubroncos.com/news/2008/9/20/1586255.aspx March 14, 2018 John Mackey National Tight End of the Week Branden Ledbetter, TE – week 7 (six receptions, 40 yards, touchdown)October 15, 2008 Branden Ledbetter Named John Mackey National Tight End of the Week https://wmubroncos.com/news/2008/10/15/1604349.aspx live 2021-05-24 wmubroncos.com Western Michigan University Athletics https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104432/http://wmubroncos.com/news/2008/10/15/1604349.aspx March 14, 2018 All-MAC Team Western Michigan had 12 All-MAC selections.2008-12-03 MAC Announces Football Post Season Awards http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=3626856 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090829/http://mac-sports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=3626856 July 20, 2011 December 13, 2008 mac-sports.com mdy-all First team Louis Delmas, FS Austin Pritchard, LB Jamarko Simmons, WR Second team E. J. Biggers, CB Zach Davidson, DL Londen Fryar, CB Branden Ledbetter, TE Third team Tim Hiller, QB Boston McCornell, LB Juan Nunez, WR Phillip Sawnson, OL Brandon West, RB Coaching staff Bill Cubit – Head Coach Steve Morrison – Defensive Coordinator Tim Daoust – Defensive Secondary Mike Grant – Wide Receivers Rick Kravitz – Safeties Peter McCarthy – Defensive Line Jake Moreland – Tight Ends A. J. Ricker – Offensive Assistant Mike Sabock – Running Backs, Special Teams Bob Stanley – Offensive Line Tim Knox – Director of Football Operations Ryan Cubit – Offensive Graduate Assistant Matt Ludeman – Defensive Graduate Assistant References External links Team and individual statistics Western Michigan Category:Western Michigan Broncos football seasons Western Michigan Broncos football