Broncos announce 2001 football scheduleMarch 15, 2001 KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan begins defense of its Mid-American Conference West Division crown on Sept. 22 when Ball State visits Waldo Stadium. The contest is one of five home games on WMU's 2001 schedule. The two-time MAC West Champion Broncos travel to Eastern Michigan (Sept. 29), Northern Illinois (Oct. 20) and Toledo (Nov. 6) in divisional showdowns prior to hosting arch-rival Central Michigan on Nov. 17. WMU plays divisional crossover games against Akron (Oct. 6) and Bowling Green (Oct. 13) at Waldo Stadium before meeting Miami in a Peace Pipe Trophy game on Oct. 27 in Oxford, Ohio. The Broncos and RedHawks last met on the gridiron in 1994. Western Michigan opens its 2001 campaign on Thursday, Aug. 30, against Illinois State with the popular CommUniverCity night contest. Road trips to Virginia Tech (Sept. 8) and Michigan (Sept. 15) continue a trend that has seen the Broncos take on nationally-recognized teams. In four prior seasons under Darnell, WMU has traveled to No. 4 Wisconsin (2000), No. 4 Florida (1999), Missouri (1999), Indiana (1998), Iowa (2000) and Michigan State (1997). "This is one of the most challenging schedules in school history," said coach Gary Darnell. "If we want to continue to be a high profile program, we have to play teams of a national caliber."
Asterisks are MAC contests. Schedules subject to change. Times are local starting time. Schedule Notes
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