2014 Western Michigan Broncos football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox NCAA team season
| mode = football
| year = 2014
| team = Western Michigan Broncos
| image = Western Michigan Broncos text logo.svg
| image_size = 150
| conference = Mid-American Conference
| division = West Division
| short_conf = MAC
| record = 8–5
| conf_record = 6–2
| head_coach = P. J. Fleck
| hc_year = 2nd
| off_coach = Kirk Ciarrocca
| oc_year = 2nd
| off_scheme = Spread
| def_coach = Ed Pinkham
| dc_year = 2nd
| def_scheme = 4–3
| stadium = Waldo Stadium
| champion =
| bowl = Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
| bowl_result = L 24–38 vs. Air Force
}}
{{2014 Mid-American Conference football standings}}
The 2014 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by second-year head coach P. J. Fleck and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). They finished the season 8–5, 6–2 in MAC play to finish in third place in the West Division. They were invited to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl where they lost to Air Force.
WMU lost its season opener against Purdue, 43–34. Freshman running back Jarvion Franklin rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. The 163 yards were the third-highest by a freshman in the NCAA. He was named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week.{{cite web |url=http://www.mac-sports.com/news/2014/9/1/FB_0901141646.aspx |title=MAC announces week one football players of the week |publisher=Mid-American Conference |date=September 1, 2014 |access-date=September 2, 2014}}
At the end of the 2014 season, head coach P. J. Fleck was awarded with the Mid American Conference Head Coach of the Year award. Jarvion Franklin was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year, becoming the first freshman to ever receive the honor.{{cite web |first=David |last=Drew |url=http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/2014/12/wmu_football_coach_pj_fleck_na_2.html |title=WMU football coach P.J. Fleck named MAC Coach of the Year |publisher=MLive.com |date=December 3, 2014 |access-date=December 8, 2014}}
Recruiting class
{{College athlete recruit start
| 40 = no
| collapse = yes
| year = 2014
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Lucas Bezerra
| position = TE
| hometown = Troy, MI
| highschool = Troy HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 4
| weight = 230
| 40 =
| commitdate = April 13, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Jordan Billingslea
| position = WR
| hometown = Southfield, MI
| highschool = Southfield HS
| feet = 5
| inches = 8
| weight = 153
| 40 =
| commitdate = July 25, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Jamauri Bogan
| position = RB
| hometown = Union Township, NJ
| highschool = Union HS
| feet = 5
| inches = 8
| weight = 164
| 40 =
| commitdate = June 28, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 73
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Nathan Braster
| position = DE
| hometown = Fort Wayne, IN
| highschool = South Side HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 5
| weight = 240
| 40 =
| commitdate = July 23, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Asantay Brown
| position = ATH
| hometown = Muskegon, MI
| highschool = Mona Shores HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 1
| weight = 190
| 40 =
| commitdate = February 12, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 73
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Deontae Brown
| position = DB
| hometown = Chicago, IL
| highschool = Mount Carmel HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 2
| weight = 198
| 40 =
| commitdate = April 20, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 69
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Curtis Doyle
| position = OL
| hometown = Alma, MI
| highschool = Alma HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 5
| weight = 287
| 40 =
| commitdate = April 25, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 73
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Leo Ekwoge
| position = RB
| hometown = Olney, MD
| highschool = Good Counsel HS
| feet = 5
| inches = 11
| weight = 200
| 40 =
| commitdate = July 25, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 73
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Jacari Faulkner
| position = DE
| hometown = Detroit, MI
| highschool = U of D Jesuit HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 2
| weight = 230
| 40 =
| commitdate = May 6, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade =
| espn stars =
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Kenny Finley
| position = DT
| hometown = Muskegon, MI
| highschool = Muskegon HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 3
| weight = 279
| 40 =
| commitdate = January 5, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 76
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Jarvion Franklin
| position = RB
| hometown = Tinley Park, IL
| highschool = Andrew HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 1
| weight = 219
| 40 =
| commitdate = July 25, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Jay Harris
| position = WR
| hometown = Exton, PA
| highschool = Downingtown East HS
| feet = 5
| inches = 11
| weight = 170
| 40 =
| commitdate = November 14, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 77
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = JaKevin Jackson
| position = LB
| hometown = Milledgeville, GA
| highschool = Georgia Military College
| feet = 6
| inches = 3
| weight = 226
| 40 =
| commitdate = November 17, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Lonnie Johnson
| position = ATH
| hometown = Gary, IN
| highschool = West Side HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 3
| weight = 180
| 40 =
| commitdate = November 19, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 81
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Elliot Jordan
| position = OL
| hometown = Kentwood, MI
| highschool = East Kentwood HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 7
| weight = 255
| 40 =
| commitdate = November 6, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 73
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Nick Matich
| position = DT
| hometown = Clarkston, MI
| highschool = Clarkston HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 2
| weight = 283
| 40 =
| commitdate = June 29, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Chris McDaniel
| position = ATH
| hometown = Detroit, MI
| highschool = Cass Tech HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 4
| weight = 233
| 40 =
| commitdate = April 11, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Zach Novoselsky
| position = OL
| hometown = Lincolnshire, IL
| highschool = Stevenson HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 6
| weight = 273
| 40 =
| commitdate = July 19, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 72
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Chukwuma Okorafor
| position = OL
| hometown = Southfield, MI
| highschool = Southfield HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 6
| weight = 280
| 40 =
| commitdate = May 4, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 74
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Wyatt Pfeifer
| position = OL
| hometown = Delaware, OH
| highschool = Buckeye Valley HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 3
| weight = 245
| 40 =
| commitdate = July 25, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Delshawn Phillips
| position = LB
| hometown = Detroit, MI
| highschool = Cass Tech HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 2
| weight = 225
| 40 =
| commitdate = April 11, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Javonte Seabury
| position = ATH
| hometown = Orlando, FL
| highschool = Timber Creek HS
| feet = 5
| inches = 9
| weight = 153
| 40 =
| commitdate = January 2, 2014
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 74
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Alon Sims
| position = ATH
| hometown = Royal Palm Beach, FL
| highschool = Royal Palm Beach HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 2
| weight = 177
| 40 =
| commitdate = May 2, 2014
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Robert Spillane
| position = ATH
| hometown = Oak Park, IL
| highschool = Fenwick HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 2
| weight = 217
| 40 =
| commitdate = March 23, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 75
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Chance Stewart
| position = QB
| hometown = Sturgis, MI
| highschool = Sturgis HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 6
| weight = 207
| 40 =
| commitdate = April 18, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 80
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Antione Stone
| position = ATH
| hometown = Bedford, OH
| highschool = Bedford HS
| feet = 5
| inches = 10
| weight = 180
| 40 =
| commitdate = June 19, 2013
| scout stars = 2
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Jason Sylva
| position = LB
| hometown = Franklin, MA
| highschool = Dean JC
| feet = 6
| inches = 3
| weight = 250
| 40 =
| commitdate = December 16, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = N/A
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Jordan Van Dort
| position = OL
| hometown = Zeeland, MI
| highschool = Zeeland West HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 5
| weight = 283
| 40 =
| commitdate = October 4, 2013
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 2
| 247 stars =
| espn grade = 77
| grayshirt =
}}
{{College athlete recruit end
| 40 = yes
| year = 2014
| rivals ref title = Western Michigan Football Commitment List
| scout ref title = Western Michigan Football Commitment List
| espn ref title = Western Michigan Football Commitment List
| rivals school = westernmichigan
| scout s = 226
| espn schoolid = 2711
| scout overall = 56
| rivals overall = 58
| 247 overall =
| accessdate = February 5, 2014
| archivedate =
| rivals archiveurl=
| scout archiveurl =
| espn archiveurl =
}}
Schedule
{{CFB schedule
| rankyear = 2014
| poll = AP Poll released prior to game
| timezone = Eastern
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = August 30
| time = Noon
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = Purdue
| site_stadium = Ross–Ade Stadium
| site_cityst = West Lafayette, IN
| tv = ESPNU
| score = 34–43
| attend = 37,031{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547988 |title=Etling, Purdue hold off Western Michigan 43–34 |agency=Associated Press |website=ESPN |date=August 30, 2014 |access-date=September 2, 2014}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 13
| time = 5:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = Idaho
| site_stadium = Kibbie Dome
| site_cityst = Moscow, ID
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 45–33
| attend = 14,721
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 20
| time = 7:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| opponent = Murray State
| site_stadium = Waldo Stadium
| site_cityst = Kalamazoo, MI
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 45–14
| attend = 22,226{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/400548113 |title=Western Michigan runs past Murray State 45–14 |agency=Associated Press |website=ESPN |date=September 20, 2014 |access-date=September 21, 2014}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 27
| time = 12:30 pm
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = Virginia Tech
| site_stadium = Lane Stadium
| site_cityst = Blacksburg, VA
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 17–35
| attend = 59,625{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400547827 |title=Western Michigan Broncos vs. Virginia Tech Hokies - Box Score - September 27, 2014 - ESPN |publisher=ESPN |date=September 27, 2014 |access-date=December 8, 2014}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 4
| time = 7:00 pm
| w/l = l
| opponent = Toledo
| site_stadium = Waldo Stadium
| site_cityst = Kalamazoo, MI
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 19–20
| overtime = OT
| attend = 11,493
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 11
| time = 3:00 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Ball State
| site_stadium = Scheumann Stadium
| site_cityst = Muncie, IN
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 42–38
| attend = 11,237
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 18
| time = 2:00 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Bowling Green
| site_stadium = Doyt Perry Stadium
| site_cityst = Bowling Green, OH
| tv = BCSN{{cite web|url=http://mattsarzsports.com/Schedule/Weekly?week=8&sportYear=football2014#.VDq5JfhGjUY |title=Week 8 |publisher=Mattsarzsports.com |access-date=December 8, 2014}}
| score = 26–14
| attend = 15,201
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 25
| time = 2:00 pm
| w/l = w
| homecoming = y
| opponent = Ohio
| site_stadium = Waldo Stadium
| site_cityst = Kalamazoo, MI
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 42–21
| attend = 20,225
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 1
| time = 2:30 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Miami (OH)
| site_stadium = Yager Stadium
| site_cityst = Oxford, OH
| score = 41–10
| attend = 9,045
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 15
| time = 2:00 pm
| w/l = w
| opponent = Eastern Michigan
| gamename = Michigan MAC Trophy
| site_stadium = Waldo Stadium
| site_cityst = Kalamazoo, MI
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 51–7
| attend = 12,985
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 22
| time = 1:00 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Central Michigan
| gamename = Victory Cannon, Michigan MAC Trophy
| site_stadium = Kelly/Shorts Stadium
| site_cityst = Mount Pleasant, MI
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 32–20
| attend = 17,265{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400548162 |title=Western Michigan Broncos vs. Central Michigan Chippewas - Box Score - November 22, 2014 - ESPN |publisher=ESPN |date=November 22, 2014 |access-date=December 8, 2014}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 28
| time = 11:00 am
| w/l = l
| opponent = Northern Illinois
| site_stadium = Waldo Stadium
| site_cityst = Kalamazoo, MI
| tv = ESPNU
| score = 21–31
| attend = 11,195
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 20
| time = 5:45 pm
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| neutral = y
| opponent = Air Force
| gamename = Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
| site_stadium = Albertsons Stadium
| site_cityst = Boise, ID
| tv = ESPN
| score = 24–38
| attend = 18,223
}}
}}
:Schedule source:{{cite web |url=http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-14/mid-amer/2014-western-michigan-broncos-football-schedule.php |title=2014 Western Michigan Broncos Football Schedule |publisher=FBS Schedules |access-date=June 6, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/college-football-bowl-schedule.php |title=2014-15 College Football Bowl Schedule - 2015 Playoff |publisher=Fbschedules.com |date=November 5, 2014 |access-date=December 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318155441/http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/college-football-bowl-schedule.php |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |df=mdy }}
Coaching staff
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;" | |||
| Name | Position | Year at WMU | Alma mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| P. J. Fleck | Head coach | align=center| 2nd | Northern Illinois (2004) |
| Kirk Ciarrocca | Offensive coordinator | align=center| 2nd | Temple (1990) |
| Ed Pinkham | Defensive coordinator, Defensive backs | align=center| 2nd | Allegheny (1975) |
| Mike Hart | Running backs | align=center| 1st | Michigan (2008) |
| Bill Kenney | Tight ends | align=center| 2nd | Norwich (1982) |
| Tim McGarigle | Linebackers | align=center| 3rd | Northwestern (2006) |
| Vinson Reynolds | Defensive line | align=center| 2nd | Northern Illinois (2004) |
| Matt Simon | Wide receivers | align=center| 1st | Northern Illinois (2004) |
| Rob Wenger | Special teams | align=center| 2nd | Colgate (2008) |
| Brian Callahan | Offensive line | align=center| 2nd | Eastern Illinois (1992) |
| colspan="4" style="font-size:8pt; text-align:center;"|Reference:{{cite web |title=Football –Coaches|url=http://www.wmubroncos.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&SPID=1922&SPSID=24292|access-date=November 28, 2014}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Western Michigan Broncos football navbox}}