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Western Michigan football: Can experienced Broncos return to New Year’s Six?

By Dante Pryor

KALAMAZOO, MI - AUGUST 31: Jon Wassink #16 of the Western Michigan Broncos looks to pass against the Syracuse Orange in the first quarter of a game at Waldo Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KALAMAZOO, MI - AUGUST 31: Jon Wassink #16 of the Western Michigan Broncos looks to pass against the Syracuse Orange in the first quarter of a game at Waldo Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 08: Jon Wassink #16 of the Western Michigan Broncos throws the ball during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 08: Jon Wassink #16 of the Western Michigan Broncos throws the ball during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Can Jon Wassink come back to lead the offense?

The loss of Jon Wassink was one the Broncos did not recover from last season. They were 4-0 in conference play before he was injured and lost for the season and 1-3 in conference play without him.

The offense scored 36 points with him and 25 points without him. He’ll be back this season along with top rusher and fifth-year senior JeVante Bellamy, their three top receivers from last season, five offensive linemen with starting experience, their top four defensive linemen, all of their linebackers, and defensive backs return from last year’s squad. That’s 85% of their team back from last year.

No other team in the country returns more starters than the Broncos.

Of course keeping Wassink healthy is priority No. 1 in Kalamazoo, though.

They are going to miss the 16 rushing touchdowns by outgoing senior Jamauri Bogan, but Bellamy and rising sophomore Chase Brown should make up for that lost production.

If Wassink stays healthy and the Broncos and Bellamy have anywhere near the production they had last season, Western Michigan should put up a lot of points in 2019.

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