1998 Western Michigan Broncos football team

The 1998 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second season under head coach Gary Darnell, the Broncos compiled a 7–4 record (5–3 against MAC opponents), finished in third place in the MAC's West Division, and outscored their opponents, 360 to 312.[1][2][3] The team played its home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[4]

1998 Western Michigan Broncos football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record7–4 (5–4 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBill Cubit (2nd season)
MVPTim Lester
Home stadiumWaldo Stadium
Seasons
← 1997
1999 →
1998 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Marshall xy$   7 1     12 1  
Miami (OH) x   7 1     10 1  
Bowling Green   5 3     5 6  
Ohio   5 3     5 6  
Akron   3 6     4 7  
Kent State   0 8     0 11  
West Division
Toledo x   6 2     7 5  
Western Michigan   5 3     7 4  
Central Michigan   5 3     6 5  
Eastern Michigan   3 6     3 8  
Northern Illinois   2 6     2 9  
Ball State   1 7     1 10  
Championship: Marshall 23, Toledo 17
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant

The team's statistical leaders included Tim Lester with 3,311 passing yards, Darnell Fields with 1,016 rushing yards, and Steve Neal with 1,121 receiving yards.[5] Kicker Brad Selent was named the MAC special teams player of the year.[6]

Schedule edit

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 3Northern IllinoisW 37–23
September 12at Indiana*L 30–45[7]
September 19at ToledoL 7–35
September 26Ohio
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 35–37
October 3Louisiana Monroe*
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 27–14
October 10at Vanderbilt*W 27–24
October 17Eastern Michigan
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 45–35
October 24at Central Michigan L 24–26
October 31at Kent StateW 48–23
November 7at Ball StateW 24–23
November 14Bowling Green
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 56–27
  • *Non-conference game

References edit

  1. ^ "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1990 - 99". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "1998 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "Waldo Stadium". Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "1998 Western Michigan Broncos Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  6. ^ "Football History: Conference Awards". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  7. ^ Herman, Steve (September 13, 1998). "Randle El's record night carries IU to easy victory". Journal and Courier. Associated Press. p. B4. Retrieved October 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.