WMU starts fast, scrambles late in Salute to Veterans Bowl loss to South Alabama

MONTGOMERY, AL –– In search of its third bowl victory in program history, the starting point was ideal for Western Michigan football on Saturday.

But unfortunately, the Broncos were swept up in one move.

And fell victim to a convention.

After roaring out to an early 10-point lead, Western Michigan was knocked back by South Alabama’s comeback and could never fully recover in a 30-23 IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl game loss at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery on Saturday night.

WMU (6-7, 5-3 Mid-American Conference) was looking for its first bowl win since 2021, but instead finished with its third straight losing season.

South Alabama (7-6) stormed back to take a 16-13 halftime lead thanks to an electrifying 45-yard touchdown reception from Jeremiah Webb, who high-pointed the football to snap it away from a Bronco defender with less than five minutes into the game. half.

But the decisive moment came in the fourth quarter.

WMU quarterback Hayden Wolff orchestrated a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped by a stunning 7-yard touchdown reception from Anthony Sambucci to pull the Broncos within 23-20 with just over six minutes left in regulation — which left the WMU defense in dire need of a stop.

WMU forced South Alabama into a 4th-and-1 on its ensuing drive, but running back Kentrel Bullock hustled his way to a first down and on the next play threw himself through an arm tackle en route to a 22-yard touchdown for a 30. -20 lead.

An advantage too great for WMU to overcome.

Webb had six receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns, and in his second start of the season, South Alabama quarterback Bishop Davenport threw for 274 yards and two scores, including a 50-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Bullock finished with 130 yards rushing on 17 carries.

WMU built a 10-0 lead to kickstart the contest when Jalen Buckley scampered in for a 1-yard touchdown and Luka Zurak added a 37-yard field goal 10 seconds into the second quarter.

And after South Alabama’s 16 unanswered points, Josh Franklin intercepted Davenport in plus territory, leading to a Zurak field goal in the final moments of the half to halt the Jaguars’ momentum and pull the Broncos within 16-13.

WMU got the ball out of halftime, but an illegal block stopped its opening drive and Davenport danced his way for his 50-yard score that extended the Jaguars lead to 23-13.

Sambucci finished with over 1,000 receiving yards in his career thanks to his three receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown.

Wolff completed 17-of-27 passes for 196 yards with one score and one interception, Jaden Nixon carried 11 times for 45 yards and Buckley added 26 yards with a touchdown.

Senior running back Zahir Abdus-Salaam added 33 yards.

Kenneth Womack was the Broncos’ leading receiver with five receptions for 89 yards, and Donald Willis led the defense with 10 tackles.

After winning four games in his first year as head coach, Lance Taylor led the Broncos to their 12th bowl appearance in program history this season. Taylor developed several top talents, including all-MAC center and Rimington Trophy finalist Jacob Gideon and first-team All-American guard Addison West.