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Indiana State Preview
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WMU Media Relations
BroncosIllustrated.com		Aug 26, 2002

The Western Michigan University football team opens its 97th varsity season this Thursday (Aug. 29), playing host to Indiana State University on CommUniverCity Night in Waldo Stadium. Kickoff is 7:35 p.m.

PROMOTIONS: Magnet schedules to first 5,000 fans (courtesy of Fifth Third Bank); post-game fireworks. RADIO: Bronco Radio Network (flagship WFAT-96.5 FM); WSDM-97.7 FM, Terre Haute WEBCAST: www.wmubroncos.com TELEVISION: None

STORYLINES COMMUNIVERCITY

Regarded as one of the premier promotions in the Mid-American Conference, CommUniverCity's track record speaks for itself: *Two MAC single game home attendance records *Six crowds over 30,000 *five of the 10 largest crowds in Waldo Stadium's 63-year history *A quarter million fans through the gates The Broncos have won their last five games on CommUniverCity Night and sport an overall record of 7-3. More than a football game, WMU's home opener has become one of the biggest social events in southwest Michigan. Over 40 local businesses organize tailgate parties in corporate village, a tent area located at Hyames Field.

DARNELL'S DOMINANCE

During Gary Darnell's tenure at Western Michigan, the Broncos have been virtually unbeatable at home. The Brown & Gold have won 21 of 25 games in five seasons, posting an .840 winning percentage. Darnell is 5-0 in home openers and 3-2 in season openers at WMU.

A NEW LANDSCAPE

Waldo Stadium has a different look this season with the addition of the Donald "J" Seelye Athletic Center. The $25 million dollar facility encloses the east end zone and is expected to trap crowd noise considerably. All 10 corporate suites at the Seelye Center are sold out.

BRONCO NOTEBOOK

Western Michigan recently announced a three-game series with Virginia, scheduled to begin Sept. 13, 2003 in Waldo Stadium. The Broncos play at Virginia in 2005 and 2006 * QB's Jon Drach and Chad Munson are still vying for the starting job as preparations begin for Indiana State. Both are expected to play on Thursday * DE Jason Babin is one of only three MAC players included on the Outland Trophy Watch List. The award recognizes the top interior lineman in college football * WMU has added athleticism to its offensive line with the additions of TE Walter Stith and DT Chad Wangerin ¯ both of whom made the switch during the first week of training camp. Wangerin is listed on the second unit at right tackle * one of the summer's success stories in the weight room was RT Fred McCants. Listed at 6-6, 330 lbs., McCants worked out three times a day and took over a starting spot in camp * six players from WMU's 2002 recruiting class have earned spots on the team's two-deep units. Aside from Chad Munson, WR Chris Chestnut is the No. 1 punt returner while the following are filling backup roles: LG Brandon James, LT Hausia Faleofa, WS Christian Hodges and RCB Willie Pope * DE Anthony Allsbury has been lost for the season after suffering a knee injury on Aug. 9. Allsbury underwent surgery on Aug. 23 to repair a torn Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and fractured bone in his right knee * OG Jon Garcia has been forced to end his playing career because of chronic back problems * former Bronco DB Wes Dodson (1998-01) has joined the coaching staff as the graduate assistant for offense. He replaces Ted Smith who accepted a job in business.

SCOUTING INDIANA STATE

Indiana State returns 10 starters on offense, seven on defense from a 3-8 squad of a year ago. Senior QB Julian Reese is mobile to say the least, leading the team in rushing last season (615) and topping the Gateway Conference in total offense (1,811). ISU's two-back offense features TB SoSo Dede, who did more than alright last season with 550 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Other ISU players to focus on include LG Eric Bowman, who didn't allow a sack last season, DT Richard Harris, one of the Gateway's premier pass rushers and FS Terrance Miles, A Street & Smith preseason All-America pick. Head Coach Tim McGuire begins his fifth season at Indiana State. Last year he led the Sycamores to a 21-14 win over Eastern Michigan.

SERIES HISTORY

Western Michigan captured the only previous meeting with Indiana State, recording a 56-0 win on Sept. 16, 2000 in Waldo Stadium. RB Robert Sanford rumbled for 159 yards and three touchdowns, while QB Jeff Welsh threw three TD strikes. WR Steve Neal compiled 110 yards on five receptions. The Broncos amassed 489 total offensive yards and converted on all six fourth-down situations.

THE COACHES

INDIANA STATE Tim McGuire (Nebraska, '75) ISU Record: 12-32, fifth season Career Record: 19-47, seventh season McGuire has spent nine seasons at ISU, the last four as head coach. He also coached at Division II Morningside College for two seasons and was an assistant at Navy, Northern Illinois, Kansas State and Nebraska-Omaha.

WESTERN MICHIGAN Gary Darnell (Oklahoma State, '70) WMU Record: 36-21, sixth season Career Record: 39-25, seventh season Darnell has guided WMU to a pair of MAC West Division titles (1999, 2000) and won more games than any WMU coach over a five year period. He was named MAC Coach of the Year in 2000 and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of Distinction Award last season.

QUOTING DARNELL

WMU'S QUARTERBACK SITUATION: "Regardless of who starts, both will play, that's just an absolute must. And that will be the case all the way through our non-conference schedule."

ON INDIANA STATE: "You don't have to dig very hard to see that they handle their players much in the same way we do. They do a great job recruiting and have a great setup there. They know what they are doing." "There's no difference between their first 22 players and ours. Reese is a 6-3 quarterback who can run like a deer, we don't have anyone like that. The difference comes down to depth. If you let them stay in the game long enough, it can be trouble for your team."

MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Two major changes were made in the Mid-American Conference during the off-season. Division titles will now be determined by best overall MAC record. In previous seasons, standings were based on divisional games only, with cross-divisional games serving as tie-breakers.

Bowling Green moved from the East Division to the West, while UCF begins its inaugural MAC season in the East. With 14 teams, the MAC is the largest football conference in the country.

MAC THIS WEEK

Thursday, Aug. 29

New Hampshire @ Kent State, 7:00 p.m.
Cal Poly SLO @ Toledo, 7:00 p.m.
Tennessee Tech @ Bowling Green, 7:00 p.m.
Sam Houston State @ Central Michigan, 7:30 p.m.
Lehigh @ Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
Wake Forest @ Northern Illinois, 7:35 p.m.
Indiana State @ Western Michigan, 7:35 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 31

Central Florida @ Penn State, noon
Akron @ Iowa, 12:30 p.m.
Appalachian State @ Marshall, 7:00 p.m.
Ohio @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.
Eastern Michigan @ Michigan State, TBA
Miami @ North Carolina, TBA
(all times are Eastern zone)

PRESEASON HONORS

Several Broncos have been named to preseason All-MAC teams by national publications.

Mobolaji Afariogun - Lindy's, The Sporting News
Anthony Allsbury - Athlon, Football News, Lindy's The Sporting News, Phil Steele (2nd team) Street & Smith All-America Honorable Mention Lombardi Award, Nagurski Award Watch Lists
Adam Anderson - Phil Steele (2nd)
Jason Babin - Lindy's, Outland Trophy Watch List
Eugene Childs - Phil Steele
Jake Gasaway - Lindy's (2nd)
Kevin Kramer - Phil Steele (2nd)
Bryan Lape - Football News, Lindy's (2nd)
Jermaine Lewis - Phil Steele (3rd)

CLASSROOM HONORS

This summer the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) recognized Western Michigan for its success in graduating student-athletes.

In a survey conducted by the AFCA, Western Michigan was one of nine schools that posted a graduation rate of 90 percent or better over a five-year period. The survey focused on scholarship athletes who enrolled as freshmen or transfers during the 1996-97 academic year and included data collected from 80 Division I programs.

Northwestern earned the AFCA's 2002 Academic Achievement Award with a 100 percent graduation rate. The eight other schools in the 90 percent group were Boston College, Duke, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Penn State, Rice, Vanderbilt and WMU.

During the 2001-02 academic year, 51 Bronco players recorded semester GPA's of 3.00 or better. In addition, 15 players were named to the MAC Football Honor Roll and five players made the MAC All-Academic Team.

SEELYE ATHLETIC CENTER PROFILE

Scheduled for completion in autumn of 2002, the Donald "J" Seelye Athletic Center will offer a year-round home for Bronco Football and five olympic sports.

The facility will cover 120,000 square feet and feature an 80-yard field consisting of AstroPlay synthetic turf. The Seelye will also feature numerous locker rooms, conference rooms, a "W" club area and a weight room. Coaches offices from several olympic sports will serve as suites on game days.

The Seelye Center was designed by Eckert-Wordell and constructed by the Kalleward Group.

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