B-Dawg's Western Michigan Broncos: Unfinished bidnezz

[djp73]

Good to see Cox contributing in the run game, you need that balance.

[BDawg35]

Quote: Originally Posted by djp73

Good to see Cox contributing in the run game, you need that balance.

Indeed. We may change up the offense next year to use more two-back sets that feature him since I won't have my favorite crutch (David Landrum) any more.

[BDawg35]

Jared Gray (left) grabs a 60-yard TD pass. David Landrum (right) ran 15 times for 124 yards.

RUNNING WILD
Western torches Gophers on ground,
runs for 233 yards in 38-14 victory

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Sometimes simmed results by CPU teams don’t create an accurate picture of what the user will encounter when he faces those squads.

But the simmed rushing defense of the Minnesota Golden Gophers was pretty much spot-on — it blows.

No. 10 Western Michigan torched the 117th-ranked rush defense in the country in a 38-14 victory over Minnesota on Oct. 27, 2018.

The Broncos (6-2) ran 31 times for 233 yards, with quarterback David Landrum and redshirt freshman halfback doing almost all of the damage. Landrum ran 15 times for 124 yards, while Cox ran 15 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns. A 2-yard run by fullback Bryan Randall was Western’s only other carry.

“I have played many CPU teams who don’t have the strengths or weaknesses that their simmed stats would suggest,” Western coach B-Dawg said. “I wouldn’t even bother to come up with a game plan based on the opponent’s simmed numbers. It became evident right away that Minnesota really couldn’t stop the run.”

Minnesota (3-6) came into the game allowing 238.6 yards per game on the ground — so its average actually improved a smidge. Cox already had 74 yards on four carries in the first quarter. By halftime, Western had 167 yards on 17 carries.

In a game that featured the run, Landrum had a solid passing game and eclipsed a career milestone. By going 15-for-25 for 214 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, Landrum surpassed 10,000 career passing yards. Landrum has thrown for 10,088 yards and 67 touchdowns, while rushing 848 times for 4,790 yards and 55 touchdowns.

He will forever be remembered as a running quarterback, not just because of his rushing numbers, but because he has thrown 47 interceptions.

“That’s not a great ratio — 67 touchdowns to 47 interceptions,” B-Dawg said. “That’s OK. He’s won us a lot of games with his legs and a few with his arm.”

With the game tied 7-7, Cox broke off a 64-yard touchdown run with 2:27 left in the first quarter to give Western the lead for good. The lead reached 24-7 after three quarters.

[BDawg35]

5-star QB may pick up where
Landrum leaves off at Western

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Don’t expect Western Michigan’s football program to fall off the map when David Landrum departs after this season.

Help is on the way.

The next great quarterback at Western may have been secured when John Nelson of Rose Hill, Va. committed to the Broncos.

Nelson has been Western’s No. 1 priority when recruiting players in the Class of 2019. The five-star prospect is the second-ranked quarterback in the country. He has 89 SPD, 86 THP, 79 THA and 78 BTK.

That gives the Broncos two of the top six quarterbacks in the nation. Sixth-ranked Chris Simon of Campbell, Ohio was a previous commitment.

“When we got Chris, we still pushed hard for John,” Western coach B-Dawg said. “We need a quarterback with some wheels to bail out the fact that the coach is an interception waiting to happen whenever he pushes a button.”

Nelson was also considering Texas, which made B-Dawg worried, even as the Broncos held a large lead over the Longhorns on the recruiting trail.

“I kept expecting some cash to exchange hands and suddenly find out that John Nelson is a Longhorn,” B-Dawg said.

Also committing to Western is 73 OVR Brian Williams, the 14th-ranked halfback. He has 83 SPD, 78 BTK, 72 CAR and 59 CTH.

Western has seven commitments, with room for only six more. He is currently pursuing eight players. B-Dawg’s dynasty rules do not allow him to over-recruit once he’s filled 70 spots on the next year’s roster. He also does not allow himself to cut players from the current roster.

[BDawg35]

BEDNARIK AWARD (Best defensive player — Maxwell Club)
9. Bo Wright, FS, 56 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 interception
10. Nicholas Schmidt, SS, 43 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 interceptions

RIMINGTON AWARD (Best center)
11. Dustin Overstreet, 5 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed

LOMBARDI AWARD (Best defensive lineman)
5. Nick Holmes, DE, 25 tackles, 13 TFL, 6 sacks

BUTKUS AWARD (Best linebacker)
10. Xavier Denman, MLB, 52 tackles, 12 TFL, 2 sacks

THORPE AWARD (Best defensive back)
8. Bo Wright, FS, 56 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 interception
11. Nicholas Schmidt, SS, 43 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 interceptions

BEST RETURNER
2. Jeremy Covington, 32 KR, 28.4 avg.; 18 PR, 11.2 avg.

[BDawg35]

2018 WESTERN MICHIGAN SCHEDULE

AUG. 25 — at CENTRAL MICHIGAN (Won 28-7)
SEPT. 2 — at #4 GEORGIA (Lost 45-27)
SEPT. 21 — EASTERN MICHIGAN (Won 24-6)
SEPT. 29 — at WISCONSIN (Won 37-34)
OCT. 6 — at PENN STATE (Lost 34-31)
OCT. 13 — MICHIGAN STATE (Won 24-20)
OCT. 20 — at PURDUE (Won 28-16)
OCT. 27 — MINNESOTA (Won 38-14)
NOV. 3 — #1 MICHIGAN
NOV. 10 — OHIO STATE
NOV. 17 — at INDIANA
NOV. 24 — at MARYLAND

[djp73]

nelson looks like a heisman waiting to happen

[BDawg35]

Quote: Originally Posted by djp73

nelson looks like a heisman waiting to happen

He'll have to do it primarily with his wheels, because I'm a pick machine!