Western Michigan quarterback Broc Lowry may have been named the Offensive Player of the Year in the Mid-American Conference due to his rushing abilities, but it was WMU running back Jalen Buckley with the biggest runs in the MAC title game.
Thanks to two long rushing touchdowns from Buckley, the Western Michigan Broncos (9-4, 7-1 MAC) beat the Miami RedHawks (7-6, 6-2 MAC) 23-13 to win the 2025 MAC championship Saturday, Dec. 6, at Ford Field in Detroit. Buckley got the party started with a 67-yard touchdown run on the third play from scrimmage and then added a 64-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to put the game away for the Broncos.
A fourth-quarter touchdown from the RedHawks brought the game to within 10 points, but the Western Michigan defense held strong late in the fourth quarter, keeping Miami from ever taking a lead in the game.
This is Western Michigan’s first MAC title since 2016, a year in which they finished ranked No. 15 in the country with a 13-1 overall record and a Cotton Bowl appearance. Broncos coach Lance Taylor now has a conference championship on his resume in just his third year leading WMU.
Western Michigan has now won four conference titles in program history (1966, 1988, 2016 and 2025), and at 9-4 has the most wins in a season since that historic 2016 team coached by P.J. Fleck.
Here’s how WMU beat Miami in the 2025 MAC championship game in Detroit:
Western Michigan wins MAC title
FINAL: WMU 23, Miami 13.
The Broncos beat the RedHawks 23-13 in a game that wasn’t quite as close as the score indicates.
Western Michigan wins its first conference title in football since 2016 and its fourth overall.
Western Michigan turnover on downs
Instead of trying the 29-yard field goal, Western Michigan attempted a fake with the holder taking the direct snap. He fell short of the goal line, however, and Miami has the ball back at their own 1-yard line with a (slim) chance at a comeback.
Nadame Tucker with the game-sealing sack
MAC Defensive Player of the Year Nadame Tucker likely just sealed the game for Western Michigan.
On 4th-and-10 from their own 34-yard line, the RedHawks turned the ball over on downs following Tucker’s second sack of the game (and 14th of the season). WMU takes over at the Miami 31-yard line.
Western Michigan turnover on downs
Western Michigan recovered a Miami onside kick and started its drive at the Miami 43-yard line. Three rushing plays later, one by quarterback Broc Lowry and two by running back Jalen Buckley, and the Broncos faced a 4th-and-1 on the Miami 34-yard line.
Instead of trying for a long field goal, the Broncos turned the ball over on a failed play-action rollout pass, with Lowry’s pass falling incomplete.
Miami needed a turnover, and they got it.
Miami scores on 6-yd TD pass
4Q, 6:43: WMU 23, Miami 13.
Miami got to its own 42-yard line following a third-down completion from quarterback Henry Hesson to receiver Kam Perry, who eclipsed 100 yards receiving on the day with his seventh catch, leading all receivers in the game in both categories.
Hesson followed that with a 36-yard completion to receiver Cole Weaver to once again get into Western Michigan territory. Running back D’Shawntae Jones then carried the ball for 16 yards down the left side to get Miami to the Broncos’ 6-yard line. Two plays later, Hesson found Weaver for a 6-yard touchdown, cutting the Western Michigan lead to 10 following the point-after.
With 6:43 left, the RedHawks need a touchdown and a field goal to tie the game. But with Western Michigan’s running attack as strong as it is, already with 260 yards averaging nearly six yards per carry, that might not be enough time to mount a comeback.
Miami offense stalls, punts
Following a Western Michigan punt, the Broncos defense held Miami deep in their own territory, forcing a punt. Western Michigan will start on their own 22-yard line.
Western Michigan one quarter away from MAC title
End 3Q: WMU 23, Miami 6.
With running back Jalen Buckley responsible for both WMU touchdowns today, it only makes sense that he keeps getting his carries.
Buckley had runs of 4, 5 and 5 yards to start the Broncos’ most recent drive, bringing the WMU offense to midfield.
And with that last run, he set a WMU MAC title-game record.
Quarterback Broc Lowry was stopped short of the line-to-gain on 3rd-and-5 from the Miami 46, however, giving the Broncos a fourth-and-short when the fourth quarter begins.
Western Michigan forces turnover-on-downs after Nadame Tucker sack
The RedHawks were able to move the ball a little easier with Henry Hesson in at quarterback for Thomas Gotkowski, with Hesson making completions of 14 and 8 yards to move the ball into Broncos’ territory.
However, the WMU defense forced Miami into a 4th-and-2 on the WMU 24-yard line. Hesson initially fumbled the snap, picked up the ball but couldn’t recover, with WMU defensive end Nadame Tucker getting the sack and forcing the turnover-on-downs.
Western Michigan will start on its own 35-yard line.
Henry Hesson now in for Thomas Gotkowski
Miami has benched its starting quarterback Thomas Gotkowski for redshirt senior Henry Hesson, who appeared in seven games for the RedHawks this season.
Western Michigan turnover on downs
The Broncos couldn’t do much with the ball, gaining eight total yards on three plays following the fumble recovery. Instead of trying the 47-yard field goal, however, the Broncos attempted to convert with quarterback Broc Lowry rolling out, but the Miami defense stopped Lowry before he reached the line-to-gain.
WMU turns the ball over, giving the RedHawks the ball back at their own 28-yard line.
Western Michigan recovers Miami fumble
Miami running back Jordan Brunson got his named called on the first four plays of the drive for the RedHawks, and he responded with carries of 3, 2, 7 and 6 yards to move the bowl slowly down the field. However, a handoff to running back D’Shawnte Jones was fumbled, with Western Michigan linebacker James Camden recovering the ball on the Miami 37-yard line.
Western Michigan has the ball and a chance to extend its lead.
Western Michigan scores on Jalen Buckley 64-yd TD run
3Q, 13:16: WMU 23, Miami 6.
It’s Jalen Buckley once again.
On the second play from scrimmage for the Broncos in the second half, the WMU running back carried the ball for a 64-yard touchdown down the left side of the field. Buckley now has 160 yards on nine carries, most of that yardage coming from both his long touchdown runs.
Miami goes three-and-out to start 2nd half
Miami’s offensive struggles continued into the second half, with the RedHawks netting 1 yard on three plays before punting. Western Michigan will start on its own 35-yard line following the punt.
Western Michigan halftime stats
Miami’s defense did a much better job limiting the Broncos offense to six points in the 2nd quarter, but Western Michigan has a big lead over Miami in total yardage (247 to 123) and time of possession (20 minutes to nine minutes).
Western Michigan leads at halftime
HALFTIME: WMU 16, Miami 6.
With less than a minute left in the half, Miami’s offense was able to get to midfield with five seconds left, but had to take a shot at the end zone with seemingly not enough time to run more than one play.
But a 10-yard pass from quarterback Thomas Gotkowski to reciever Kam Perry gave the RedHawks one second to work with, which they used to attempt a 58-yard field goal. Kicker Dom Dzioban’s kick flew wide and short, however, leaving Miami scoreless in the second quarter.
Western Michigan nails 50-yard FG
2Q, 0:50: WMU 16, Miami 6.
With less than two minutes left in the half, Western Michigan’s offense got going, with quarterback Broc Lowry completing consecutive passes of 10 and 14 yards to bring the Broncos to the Miami 29-yard line. Miami linebacker Brock Uihlein sacked Lowry two plays later, however, bringing the Broncos back to the Miami 33-yard line for a 4th-and-13.
Broncos kicker Palmer Domschke then nailed the 50-yard field goal with room to spare, extending WMU’s lead.
Western Michigan fumble recovery TD reversed, Miami punts
A sack from Western Michigan defensive back Joshua Franklin immediately brought the RedHawks offense back seven yards on their first play of the drive, right as the two-minute warning hit.
A fumble from Miami quarterback Thomas Gotkowski immediately after the break was picked up by MAC Defensive Player of the Year Nadame Tucker, who ran it back for an 8-yard touchdown as the play was initially called. But the call was reversed, giving Miami the ball back with a 3rd-and-17 on their own 13-yard line.
The RedHawks punted one play later, and the Broncos will have the ball on their own 43-yard line following the punt.
Western Michigan offense stalls around midfield
Miami’s defense forced WMU into a 3rd-and-7 from the WMU 13-yard line, but a third defensive pass interference call of the game gave the Broncos 1st-and-10 at the 28.
On 3rd-and-6 from the 32, WMU quarterback Broc Lowry found receiver Baylin Brooks for a 24-yard reception on the left side, bringing the Broncos into RedHawks territory. But the Miami defense held the Broncos again, with WMU punting after netting just two yards on the following three plays.
Miami will take over at their own 25-yard line following the punt.
Miami offense stalls around midfield
On 3rd-and-1 from his own 31-yard line, Miami quarterback Thomas Gotkowski completed a 9-yard pass to receiver Tailique Williams to bring the RedHawks to a first down at midfield, which marked the first first-down conversion for either team so far in the second quarter.
That’s about as far as the Miami offense got, however, with the WMU defense forcing another Miami punt. The Broncos will take over at their own 10-yard line following the punt.
Western Michigan goes three-and-out
In their first non-scoring drive of the game, WMU went three-and-out after an incompletion on a deep pass attempt from quarterback Broc Lowry.
Miami gets the ball at their own 32-yard line following the punt return with a chance to tie the game.
Miami goes three-and-out again
Two incomplete passes from Miami quarterback Thomas Gotkowski bookended another short drive for the RedHawks. WMU will take over at their own 23-yard line following the punt.
Western Michigan settles for field goal after long drive
1Q, 13:43: WMU 13, Miami 6.
Western Michigan quarterback Broc Lowry gained two yards on a scramble on 2nd-and-15 from the Miami 17 and then scrambled for another two yards on the next play. The Broncos settle for a 31-yard field goal after the 11-play, 78-yard drive that lasted for six-and-a-half minutes.
Western Michigan leading and driving after one quarter
End 1Q: WMU 10, Miami 6.
This Western Michigan offense is really humming.
WMU running back Lolo Mataele began the drive with a 12-yard gain up the middle to the Broncos 21, which quarterback Broc Lowry followed with a 4-yard run up the middle. An option pitch from Lowry to running back Jalen Buckley then brought the Broncos to a 3rd-and-3 from their own 28, with WMU gaining the needed yardage on a defensive pass interference call on the next play, setting the Broncos up at their own 43.
Lowry picked up 12 yards on a scramble to left side on the next play and then picked up another 8 yards on a completion to receiver Baylin Brooks. Another defensive pass interference call on the next play then gave the Broncos a first down on Miami’s 22-yard line.
Lowry picked up just enough yardage on a 3rd-and-1 run from the Miami 14, but a reverse to receiver Tailique Williams brought the Broncos back five yards on the next play right before the end of the quarter.
Miami goes three-and-out
An 8-yard scramble on third down from Miami quarterback Thomas Gotkowski brought the RedHawks to the 33-yard line, but it wasn’t enough for a first down.
Western Michigan will take over at their own 9-yard line following the punt.
Western Michigan settles for field goal on wild drive
1Q, 6:51: WMU 10, Miami 6.
Fresh off his 67-yard touchdown run, Western Michigan running back Jalen Buckley rattled off a 14-yard rush to begin the next drive, bringing the Broncos to their own 39-yard line.
The Broncos faced a 3rd-and-4 three plays later after two short gains from running back Lolo Mataele. Buckley got the handoff on the next play but was stopped on the Miami 42-yard line, setting up a 4th-and-2.
The Broncos converted on a 39-yard play-action pass from quarterback Broc Lowry to tight end Michael Brescia, setting up a 1st-and-goal. Two plays later, however, a fumble from Lowry on a sack by Miami defensive lineman Joshua Franklin was recovered by defensive lineman Adam Trick, who stumbled down the field for an 82-yard run back before being tackled at the WMU 6-yard line.
But the call was reversed after a replay, giving the Broncos a 3rd-and-goal from the 9-yard line. And after an incomplete pass, Broncos kicker Palmer Domschke nailed the 27-yard field goal. Broncos are up by four.
And by the way, Western set a season-high in first-quarter scoring.
Miami scores TD, PAT blocked
1Q, 11:40: WMU 7, Miami 6.
We might have a barn-burner here at Ford Field.
On their first play from scrimmage, Miami completed a 21-yard pass from quarterback Thomas Gotkowski to Kam Perry, with 15 yards added on a roughing the passer penalty on the Broncos. Perry then executed an athletic one-handed catch down to the WMU 10-yard line, with the catch initially called incomplete but reversed upon review, crediting him with the 29-yard haul.
The Broncos defense appeared to have held Miami to a fourth down on the 3-yard line, but a second roughing-the-passer call gave Miami a new set of downs at the 1-yard line. Running back Jordan Brunson scored on a 1-yard rush on the next play, with Miami’s point-after blocked.
Western Michigan takes early lead on Jalen Buckley TD run
1Q, 13:33: WMU 7, Miami 0.
On 3rd-and-2 from their own 33-yard line, Western Michigan scored on a 67-yard touchdown run from running back Jalen Buckley, taking an early 7-0 lead following the point-after.
Miami wins toss, chooses to defer
Western Michigan will receive to start the game.
Marshawn Kneeland honored before kickoff
Former Western Michigan player Marshawn Kneeland was honored with a moment of silence prior to kickoff at Ford Field.
Kneeland, who was from Grand Rapids and played at Western from 2019-23, died by an apparent suicide on Nov. 6. Kneeland was in his second NFL season with the Dallas Cowboys at the time of his death.
Western Michigan fans arriving
With about 15 minutes until kickoff, Western Michigan fans look like they outnumber Miami fans at about a 60-40 ratio, with the lower bowl of Ford Field looking about half full currently.
Ford Field is about a 2½-hour drive from Kalamazoo and a 4½-hour drive from Oxford, Ohio, where Miami’s campus is located.
MAC team will play in Detroit bowl game
This won’t be the last college game at Ford Field this year.
The GameAbove Sports Bowl will take place at Ford Field on Dec. 26 and feature a matchup between a Big 10 team and MAC team.
But don’t expect either of these teams to play in that game regardless of the outcome. A Toledo team with a 4-4 conference record was the representative in the 2024 edition, a barnburner that ended in a Toledo win after six overtimes.
Perhaps Central Michigan at 7-5 would make a good candidate, though?
Western Michigan uniform combo
Both teams are going with their secondary colors today.
Western Michigan will be wearing white helmets, yellow jerseys and yellow pants, while Miami will be in all white. Don’t adjust your television sets (if that’s still possible on modern TVs), it will just be that bright.
Broc Lowry met with Kam Perry pregame
Western Michigan quarterback Broc Lowry shook hands with Miami receiver Kam Perry during pregame warmups on the Ford Field turf.
Both players are arguably the most dynamic offensive players on the field, with Lowry leading the MAC in rushing touchdowns (14) and Perry hauling in 865 receiving yards on just 35 catches, averaging an FBS-best 24.7 yards per reception.
Western Michigan home team, on visiting side
With the better conference and overall record, Western Michigan is technically the home team for the MAC title game.
However, the Broncos will be on the east sideline, which is traditionally reserved for the visiting team during NFL games, with Miami setting up where the Detroit Lions usually go.
MAC championship game TV channel for Western Michigan vs Miami (Ohio)
Additionally, this game can be streamed on Fubo, which carries ESPN networks.
Watch Western Michigan vs Miami (Ohio) on Fubo
Western Michigan vs Miami odds
The Broncos are a slight favorite entering the 2025 MAC championship game against the RedHawks.
Odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday morning.
Western Michigan schedule 2025
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Western Michigan wins MAC title, 23-13 over Miami (Ohio) at Ford Field
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
