Week 4: Tennessee Tech at Western Michigan

Tennessee Tech (2-1, 1-0 OVC) vs. Western Michigan (2-1, 1-0 MAC)
Saturday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m. ET
Waldo Stadium, Kalamazoo, Mich.
 
Western Michigan has some kind of roll going after dropping its opener on the road at Nebraska. Two straight wins, including a 51-point performance at Idaho, seem to indicate this team will be in the thick of things when the MAC’s West Division title is contested.

When this team has been good in recent years, it has been with a combination of tenacious defense and methodic offensive drives.

The Broncos’ defense took an interception back for a touchdown, swarmed the Vandals for five sacks, and also posted a safety in the road win.

On the offensive side, Tim Hiller threw four touchdowns for the third time in his career, and his 241 passing yards on 23-for-31 passing demonstrated the efficiency that has been a trademark at Western Michigan.

Tennessee Tech comes into Kalamazoo on the heels of a critical conference win over Southeast Missouri. In that game the Golden Eagles demonstrated an effective rushing attack, and the reliable foot of place-kicker Justin Kraemer, who made sure the drives produced some points with three field goals.

Notes:
 
Western Michigan took an interception back for a touchdown against Idaho — the fifth time it has done that over the past four seasons. The Broncos have at least one interception in 39 of their last 40 games.

Tennessee Tech starting quarterback Lee Sweeney suffered a rib injury and had to leave the win over Southeast Missouri after going 22-for-31 for 229 yards with two interceptions. His status for this week’s game is still uncertain.

Western Michigan wide receiver Jamarko Simmons had a pair of touchdown receptions in the rout over Idaho, his third two-touchdown game.

Tennessee Tech’s Henry Sailes took the handoff on a called reverse, changed directions and made it a double reverse, and scampered 63 yards for a touchdown in a recent win.
 
Key Player (Golden Eagles) — Henry Sailes, RB

For Tech to have offensive success in future outings, Sailes will have to repeat the 113-yard rushing performance he had recently in a game where he also made six catches for 51 yards.
 
Key Player (Broncos) — Louis Delmas, S

The talented senior and North Miami Beach product was honored by the MAC after his second straight 10-tackle performance. Delmas added his 10th-career interception and the third fumble recovery of his career.
 
Western Michigan by 14

Del.icio.us | Digg it | Athlon Sports RSS Feeds