Toledo outlasts Western Michigan in high-octane 45-38 shootout
Toledo gains 595 yards and hands Western Michigan its first MAC loss in 364 days.
Since Dec. 6, 2025, Western Michigan had comfortably sat on the throne in the Mid-American Conference, undisturbed.
The Broncos carried an eight-game win streak against MAC opponents into the Glass Bowl for a high-stakes conference showdown against Toledo. In a league that hasn't seen a repeat champion in 15 years, Western Michigan finally fell victim to parity. Toledo's offense overpowered the Broncos 45-38 in a thrilling Saturday shootout, handing Western Michigan its first blemish in MAC play in 364 days.
Toledo collected 595 yards of offense in the highest-scoring conference matchup of the MAC season. It was a balanced effort by Mike Jacobs' squad, as quarterback John Alan Richter fired for 391 yards and three touchdowns, while running back CJ Miller added 183 rushing yards and the game-winning score. With 4:23 remaining, Miller navigated through a sea of white jerseys for an 11-yard touchdown, providing the Rockets a 45-38 advantage that would later be cemented as the final score.
Other offensive standouts for Toledo included wide receivers Adjatay Dabbs and Bryson Hammer. Both eclipsed 100 yards as Dabbs led the way with 124 and a pair of touchdowns, while Hammer added score on his 107-yard showing.
Saturday featured a different style game than Western Michigan had become accustomed to playing. The Broncos were used to low-scoring games where possessions were at a premium. Against Toledo, they tied their highest point total against FBS competition of the season but allowed their most points since Sept. 7, 2024 at Ohio State.
Broc Lowry threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns and star running back Jalen Buckley produced 92 yards and a touchdown on the ground. However, Western Michigan's offense fell short in the turnover battle, coughing up the ball three times compared to Toledo's two.
Western Michigan fell behind in the early going after committing a turnover on its first offensive snap. Lowry was strip sacked by Toledo defensive end Andrew Zock, and Julian Fox made a recovery at the Broncos' 32-yard line. Zock registered at least a share of a sack in his seventh consecutive game and forced his third fumble in the month of October.
Toledo led 17-0 before Western Michigan notched its first point and then carried a 31-14 advantage into the break. The game shifted in favor of the reigning MAC champions on the opening play of the third quarter, when Josh Franklin returned the kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. The offense and defense fed off the momentum created from that play, sparking a 24-7 run for the Broncos.
A crucial moment in the run came with 10 minutes remaining in the game. The Broncos faced 1st-and-goal at the UT one-yard line, but a false start set them back five yards. Over the next three plays, they couldn't punch the ball into the end zone, ultimately settling for a Dieter Kelly field goal to tie the game at 38 instead of potentially taking the lead.
That would be the break Toledo needed, with CJ Miller's rushing touchdown lifting the Rockets to a 45-38 lead.
Western Michigan had two opportunities to match. Neither series crossed midfield. Toledo's defense rose to the occasion in crunch time, forcing a three-and-out and then concluding the game on an Israel Petite interception.
Western Michigan (5-3, 3-1 MAC) suffered its first MAC loss of 2026, ending an eight-game win streak against conference opponents. The Broncos now find themselves in a heated race, featuring 4-0 Ohio and three other teams with 3-1 conference records — Toledo, Buffalo, and Miami (OH). Western Michigan remains in action for a ninth-straight Saturday as it prepares to bounce back against Bowling Green in Kalamazoo.
Toledo (6-2, 3-1 MAC) secured bowl eligibility for the 17th consecutive season. Jacobs is the fourth head coach in this sustained run of success, following Tim Beckman, Matt Campbell, and Jason Candle. Only Boise State, Georgia, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Clemson currently boast longer active bowl eligibility streaks. Toledo now enters its bye week with momentum before returning to action Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Sacramento State.
