Lowry’s four touchdowns lead Western Michigan past Kent State 38-7

Broc Lowry threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score Saturday as Western Michigan defeated Kent State 38-7 in its homecoming game in Kalamazoo. Adam Parks caught two of the touchdown passes, and the Broncos scored the final 24 points after Kent State briefly cut the first-half deficit to seven.

The most immediate answer came near halftime. Dru DeShields found Brendyn Smith for a 20-yard touchdown with 1:55 left in the second quarter, pulling Kent State within 14-7. Western Michigan responded before the break, with Lowry throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Baylin Brooks with 33 seconds remaining. The Broncos went into halftime ahead 21-7 instead of allowing the visitors to carry a one-score margin into the third quarter.

Lowry finished 18-of-26 for 257 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed nine times for 52 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. Western Michigan gained 466 total yards, combining 262 passing yards with 204 rushing yards, and finished without a turnover.

The MAC Digital Network published highlights from Saturday’s game.

Parks gave the Broncos an early lead with a 42-yard touchdown reception less than two minutes into the game. His second touchdown came on a 4-yard pass with 10:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, extending the advantage to 31-7. He finished with three catches for 55 yards, while Brooks caught two passes for 43 yards and a score.

Jalen Buckley supplied the largest rushing contribution for Western Michigan, carrying 16 times for 105 yards. He also caught two passes for 40 yards, giving the Broncos production from the backfield in both phases. Lowry’s rushing helped spread the work, and backup quarterback Trey Petty added 24 yards and a late 4-yard touchdown run.

Dieter Kelly’s 31-yard field goal in the third quarter was the only scoring between Brooks’ touchdown before halftime and Parks’ fourth-quarter score. The Broncos kept Kent State off the scoreboard throughout the second half, steadily widening the margin rather than allowing another exchange of touchdowns.

Wayne Harris had a substantial receiving performance for the Golden Flashes, catching 11 passes for 164 yards. DeShields completed 19 of 35 passes for 223 yards, with one touchdown and an interception. Smith added three receptions for 39 yards, including Kent State’s only score. Their passing production did not yield enough points to keep the visitors close after halftime.

Western Michigan improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the Mid-American Conference. Kent State fell to 2-4 and 1-2 in the league. The Broncos next visit Central Michigan, which lost at Ohio on Saturday, while Kent State visits South Florida.