Broc Lowry found Aveion Chenault for 44 yards to start one third-quarter touchdown drive against Monmouth, then hit him for 39 to begin another. Western Michigan finished those possessions with touchdowns after traveling 68 and 74 yards. The Broncos won 49-14, with Lowry throwing for 212 yards and three touchdowns after managing just 89 passing yards in the opener at Michigan.
Now Western Michigan visits Rice on Saturday, September 19, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with an 84.3% chance to win. Fans should expect a road victory and look for Lowry to create scoring opportunities downfield. Rice allowed 360 passing yards and four touchdown passes to Notre Dame, without recording a sack or takeaway. That gives Western Michigan a specific weakness to attack, though Notre Dameâs production is no guarantee of the Broncosâ own.
This is the schoolsâ first regular-season meeting. Their only previous game was Riceâs 38-14 victory in the 2008 Texas Bowl. Saturday offers a chance to even that sparse series.
Western Michigan turned all five red-zone possessions against Monmouth into touchdowns, after getting none from three chances at Michigan. Finishing matters whether the offense travels most of the field or gets help. Kordell Gouldsbyâs 76-yard punt return to the Monmouth 5 set up a Jalen Buckley touchdown. Enjoy another return like that if it comes, but donât make a scoring plan depend on it.
Buckleyâs three rushing touchdowns came with just 28 yards on 10 carries against Monmouth. Western Michigan averaged 204.2 rushing yards per game in 2025; getting useful gains between the goal-line opportunities remains a meaningful part of recovering that rushing strength. Watch for carries that leave Lowry a manageable next down and let the offense keep both the run and pass available.
The defense also has work beyond protecting the end zone. Western Michigan allowed Monmouth 431 yards and 27 first downs, but stopped four of five fourth-down attempts and conceded scores on only two of four red-zone trips. Those stops earned their value. Fans can still want possessions ended earlier, before another fourth-down stand becomes necessary. A defense that produced 43 sacks in 2025 recorded one against Monmouth; more pressure would be welcome alongside the situational stops.
The defending MAC champion was picked first in the coachesâ 2026 preseason poll. With no conference win at stake, Saturday is a chance to build on the Monmouth performance before Boise State visits next week. The interactive guide and methodology have the broader forecasts.
For Saturday, look for Lowry to find Chenault downfield, then give the offense another chance to finish in the end zone. Another long scoring possession away from home would give fans a concrete reason to believe the passing improvement can last.