Saturday presented an unfamiliar matchup at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo.
Western Michigan and North Texas never collided on a football field before. But the programs’ first-ever meeting was certainly one to remember. North Texas running back Makenzie McGill II punched in a 3-yard rushing touchdown in overtime to walk it off, providing the Mean Green a 33-30 road victory over the Broncos.
North Texas led for a grand total of zero seconds in the elongated ballgame yet led at the most important time, moving
to 2-0 for the second consecutive season under Eric Morris. The Mean Green overcame a 14-point second half deficit in order to force overtime, relying heavily on McGill and their quarterback Drew Mestemaker in order to do so. McGill produced 102 rushing yards while Mestemaker fired for 224 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his third collegiate start.
After failing to score a single offensive point in the opener at Michigan State, Western Michigan’s offense showcased much more life at home. The Broncos played two quarterbacks for the second consecutive week, giving Brady Jones the start but inserting Broc Lowry in the late first quarter. Lowry guided his team to touchdowns on his first two possessions — a 25-yard QB draw where he shook off several defenders and a well-drawn-up play action to running back Jalen Buckley — which gave him the quarterback reins for the remainder of the contest (except for Western Michigan’s last gasp Hail Mary try before overtime).
Western Michigan was always one step in front, opening a lead as large as 24-10 with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter on Lowry’s second touchdown run of the afternoon. Lowry tallied 66 rushing yards while Buckley added 112 as North Texas struggled to stop the run game. But the Mean Green defense stepped up at an opportune time to force two three-and-outs in the fourth quarter, allowing the offense to roar back into the contest.
Mestemaker guided a 9-play, 68-yard field goal drive, giving kicker Kali Nguma a 25-yard chip shot for the tie with 94 seconds remaining. However, there was a critical false start on North Texas on 3rd and goal at the 2-yard line, pushing the Mean Green back to the 7 — which certainly influenced the decision to kick the field goal. Western Michigan crossed the 50-yard line in those 94 seconds of opportunity, but a personal foul penalty ultimately inhibited the Broncos from a manageable Hail Mary pass or field goal for the win.
In overtime, the Broncos went backward with -5 yards on three plays. That set up veteran Palmer Domschke for a difficult 48-yard attempt, but Domschke drained it to land Western Michigan three points. Meanwhile, North Texas’ overtime possession was driven by Bronco penalties. A pass interference situated the Mean Green at the seven. However, when they were about to face 3rd and goal at the 5-yard line, Western Michigan cornerback Jarvarius Sims was charged with a taunting penalty after an incompletion. That penalty breathed new life into North Texas. Instead of facing a critical third down, McGill seamlessly ran it in from the 3-yard line for the overtime victory.
Western Michigan (0-2, 0-0 MAC) is 0-2 for the second-straight year after dropping a heartbreaker in front of its home fans. The Broncos nearly pulled off the upset as double-digit underdogs thanks to a potent run game that amassed 216 yards, but penalties and late defensive struggles flipped the result. The road doesn’t get much easier for the Broncos with a trip to a ranked Illinois squad looming before its conference opener vs. Toledo.
North Texas (2-0, 0-0 American) remains undefeated after completing a multi-score comeback against its first FBS opponent of the 2025 season. The Mean Green haven’t started 3-0 since 2018, and they’ll return to Denton to host Washington State with that feat on the line.
