USC Football: 3 things we learned from the Trojans’ win over Western Michigan

3. Western Michigan could make another New Years Six Bowl

Let’s be honest, when we saw former head coach P.J. Fleck depart for the Minnesota Gophers position, we all wrote the Western Michigan Broncos off. Well write them back on folks, this Broncos team is for real.

First-year head coach Tim Lester and the Broncos traveled to Los Angeles and showed no fear in game one of the 2017 season. Quarterback John Wassink spread the ball out to his trio of running backs (Jamuri Bogan, Jarvion Franklin and LeVante Bellamy) and the offensive line did the rest.

Quarterback John Wassink had a rushing touchdown and receiving touchdown and no passing touchdowns. The Broncos had just 94 passing yards in the game. Bogan, Franklin and Bellamy combined for 263 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in the game.

Western Michigan even was able to showcase the speed of Darius Phillips on special teams. The Broncos trailed 28-21 in the fourth when Phillips struck right back with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to tie things up at 28.

The Broncos fell apart in the fourth quarter, but they should be a different group by November. Look for them to be a Non-Power Five school worth talking about when bowl season rolls around.