2008 Western Michigan Broncos football team

Updated on Nov 01, 2023

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Division West Head coach Bill Cubit Offensive scheme Multiple		2008 record 9–4 (6–2 MAC) Offensive coordinator Bill Cubit

Conference Mid-American Conference

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 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.

2007 summary

The Broncos finished the 2007 season 5–7 overall and 3–4 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The highlight of the season was the 28–19 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes, a team that finished 5th in the Big Ten Conference.

Pre-season

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 Award

Branden Ledbetter, TE – John Mackey Award

Jamarko Simmons, WR – East-West Shrine Game

Recruiting class

The 2008 recruiting class was ranked #1 in the MAC and #65 overall by Rivals.

Mid-American Conference Player of the Week

Offense

Tim Hiller, QB (2) – week 3 (23–31, 74.2%, 241 yards, four touchdowns), week 7 (42–63, 345 yards, four touchdowns, school record for pass completions and attempts)

Jamarko Simmons, WR – week 11 (11 catches, 174 yards, touchdown)

Defense

E. J. Biggers, CB – week 10 (Nine tackles, one tackle for a loss, interception, pass break up)

Louis Delmas, FS (2) – week 2 (10 tackles, interception, fumble recovery), week 11 (12 tackles)

Boston McCornell, LB – week 5 (10 tackles (six solo tackles), forced fumble, fumble recovery)

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))

Aaron Winchester, RB/KR – week 12 (71 kick return yards, 111 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards, 204 all-purpose yards)

Mid-American Conference Scholar Athlete of the Week

Tim Hiller, QB – week 2, week 3

John Mackey National Tight End of the Week

Branden Ledbetter, TE – week 7 (six receptions, 40 yards, touchdown)

All-MAC Team

Western Michigan had 12 All-MAC selections.

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

2008 Western Michigan Broncos football team Wikipedia

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