Decided by a yard: Western Michigan stuffs Buffalo for 20-17 escape

Western Michigan wears the crown of the MAC. And the target on its back.

The Broncos entered their 2026 MAC opener having won five straight and eight of the last nine over their conference peers, including the 2025 MAC Championship Game. Western Michigan looked to pick up where it left off last December on the road in Buffalo.

But with two seconds left, the Bulls were in position for a signature upset. They faced 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line. A field goal would have tied it, but head coach Pete Lembo was ready to win it. He sent quarterback Jason Wright and the offense onto the field with the mission of unseating the reigning MAC champions.

Wright took the snap out of shotgun, faked a handoff, and waited for his receivers to get open. With no quick availabilities, Wright scrambled toward the left boundary, attempting to get a favorable angle toward the pylon. That's where he encountered Western Michigan cornerback Josh Franklin, so he dove. Almost immediately, Broncos defensive end Scoop Gardner Jr. flew in and altered the trajectory of the projectile that was Wright. With the combined effort from the two, Wright was stonewalled one yard short of glory.

Western Michigan staved off the upset, 20-17, by less than the length of three rulers.

The favored team won, but Buffalo was in control for the majority of the contest. The Bulls manufactured their first lead in the second quarter on a Messiah Burch touchdown run and then extended their advantage to 17-10 in the early fourth quarter on a 35-yard field goal.

Then, Western Michigan chipped away, the Western Michigan way. The Broncos produced one of their signature methodical drives, traveling 75 yards in 11 plays and consuming over six minutes of clock. The series ended with a physical 5-yard touchdown run by quarterback Broc Lowry, who plowed through several defenders through an extra effort. That only tied the game at 17 apiece.

To win the game, Western Michigan executed another methodical clock-consuming possession. The Broncos collected 52 yards in 11 plays, assisted by a heavy dose of Lowry runs and screen passes. They faced 4th-and-1 from the Buffalo 21-yard line with under 90 seconds remaining, but head coach Lance Taylor opted for points rather than an offensive gamble. Dieter Kelly delivered with a 38-yard field goal, handing Western Michigan its first lead of the second half at 20-17.

Wright guided the Bulls down the field but not far enough, as Western Michigan produced a Super Bowl XXXIV-esque stop at the 1-yard line to conclude the ballgame.

Despite the favorable result, it wasn't Western Michigan's strongest showing on the ground. Jalen Buckley registered 62 rushing yards, Lowry added 54, and the team only gained 115 as a unit on a 3.1 average. However, the Broncos' passing attack remained efficient. Lowry completed 19-of-24 passes, regularly targeting the sidelines in short to intermediate throws. Western Michigan collected 212 yards through the air — Lowry's most against FBS competition in 11 starts.

The Broncos' defense was the story, and not just on the goal line stand. Western Michigan generated five sacks in the victory, and it was a concerted effort across Greer Martini's defense. Buffalo only had one explosive play spanning more than 20 yards all game — its 59-yard first quarterback touchdown from Wright to Patrick Clacks III immediately following a Western Michigan onside kick attempt.

Buffalo (2-3, 0-1 MAC) has yet to defeat FBS competition this year. The Bulls have dropped six consecutive matchups to their FBS peers and start conference play 0-1 for the first time since 2021. The schedule doesn't ease up in the near future as Buffalo travels to the Glass Bowl to battle 4-1 Toledo next Saturday.

Western Michigan (3-2*, 1-0 MAC) continued its theme of 2026 — mature responses. The Broncos previously overcame the Michigan officiating blunder with consecutive victories. After facing a setback against Boise State last Saturday, they quickly flushed it to start MAC play 1-0. Coach Taylor and Western Michigan return to Kalamazoo in Week 6 to host Kent State, aiming to keep the MAC's longest conference winning streak alive.