Western Michigan Returns to the Summit, Wins First MAC Title Since 2016

Western Michigan players celebrate on the field at Ford Field after securing the MAC Championship on Saturday. Photo by Matthew Ehler | MLive.com. All rights reserved

DETROIT, MI - On December 6, 2025, Western Michigan climbed back to the top of the Mid-American Conference, sealing a 23–13 win over Miami (OH) at Ford Field and ending a nine-year wait for another MAC championship. The Broncos wasted no time announcing their presence. On just the third snap of the game, junior running back Jalen Buckley sliced through the RedHawks’ defense for a 67-yard touchdown, electrifying the stadium and setting the tone for the afternoon. Western kept their foot on the gas. Kicker Palmer Domschke chipped in from every angle, knocking down field goals from 27, 31, and 50 yards to give the Broncos a steady 16–6 lead at halftime. Early in the third quarter, Buckley struck again — this time bursting loose for a 64-yard score that stretched the advantage to 23–6 and put the game firmly in Western’s control. By the final whistle, Buckley had piled up 175 yards on just 13 carries, earning Offensive Player of the Game honors and cementing one of the best performances of his career.

Devin Miles takes in the moment, lying on the field at Ford Field after Western Michigan’s MAC Championship victory on Saturday. Photo by Matthew Ehler | MLive.com.

it wasn’t just the offense carrying the load. Western’s defense delivered one of its toughest, most disciplined outings of the season. The Broncos held Miami to just 173 total yards and racked up 15 quarterback pressures, constantly collapsing the pocket and refusing to let the RedHawks find any rhythm. Edge rusher Nadame Tucker led the charge up front, collecting 2.5 sacks and four quarterback hits on his way to being named Defensive Player of the Game. Domschke’s reliability on special teams rounded out a complete performance that left Miami searching for answers.

Western Michigan head coach Lance Taylor holds the MAC Championship trophy after Saturday’s victory. Photo by Matthew Ehler | MLive.com.

For Lance Taylor and his Western Michigan Broncos, this championship felt like more than just a trophy. it was a long-awaited return to where the program believes it belongs. Saturday’s win snapped a nine-year gap since WMU last claimed the MAC crown in 2016, and it capped off one of the most impressive turnarounds in college football this season. After starting 0–3, the Broncos regrouped, refocused, and stormed through the rest of their schedule, winning nine of their final ten games to arrive in Detroit with purpose.

This title run wasn’t built on luck. It was built on toughness, discipline, and the explosive, big-play identity Western leaned on all year. Jalen Buckley’s home-run runs, Palmer Domschke’s steady kicking, and Nadame Tucker’s relentless pressure all helped shape a performance that felt every bit like a team delivering on its potential. As confetti drifted down inside Ford Field, the Broncos stood as a team that had earned every inch of its moment. Now, with the championship heading back to Kalamazoo for the first time in nearly a decade, Western turns its attention to bowl season armed with momentum, belief, and the confidence of a program that rediscovered its edge. Disclaimer: All photos used in this article were captured by Matthew Ehler | MLive.com. All images are the property of MLive and are used with permission.