KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Interstat) — Broc Lowry accounted for four touchdowns and Western Michigan rolled to a 38-7 victory over Kent State on Saturday at Waldo Stadium. The Broncos improved to 4-2, while the Golden Flashes fell to 2-4. Lowry completed 18 of 26 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns and rushed nine times for 52 yards and another score. The NCAA Football Bowl Division game was played before an announced attendance of 20,868. Western Michigan controlled the contest from the opening quarter and never trailed. Kent State’s only touchdown came on a second-quarter pass from Dru DeShields. The Broncos’ defense limited the Golden Flashes throughout and generated pressure in key situations. Western Michigan finished with 38 points, and Kent State managed seven. The Broncos scored in every quarter and put the game out of reach with two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Western Michigan opened the scoring with 13:01 remaining in the first quarter when Lowry connected with Adam Parks on a 42-yard touchdown pass. Dieter Kelly added the extra point. Kent State later had a chance to answer, but Sean Leonard missed a 42-yard field goal attempt with 4:36 left in the opening quarter. The Broncos extended their lead with 14:56 remaining in the second quarter on Lowry’s 2-yard touchdown run. Kelly’s kick made it a two-score game. Kent State responded with 1:55 left before halftime when DeShields found Brendyn Smith for a 20-yard touchdown, and Sean Leonard kicked the extra point. Western Michigan answered with 33 seconds remaining in the second quarter when Lowry hit Baylin Brooks for a 28-yard touchdown. Kelly’s extra point restored a two-touchdown cushion.

In the third quarter, Kelly kicked a 31-yard field goal with 2:17 remaining to push Western Michigan’s advantage. The Broncos added another touchdown with 10:58 left in the fourth quarter when Lowry found Parks again, this time for a 4-yard score. Kelly added the extra point. Trey Petty later capped a scoring drive with a 4-yard touchdown run with 3:11 remaining, and Kelly’s extra point finished the scoring. Western Michigan finished with 38 points, while Kent State managed seven. The Broncos’ offense balanced Lowry’s passing with a steady rushing attack, and the defense consistently kept the Golden Flashes out of the end zone after their lone touchdown. Kent State’s best scoring chance after halftime ended without points, and Western Michigan’s front seven controlled the line of scrimmage.

Lowry was the top star for Western Michigan. He had thrown for 212 yards and rushed for 54 yards with a touchdown in his previous recent performance against Buffalo. Against Kent State, he spread the ball to multiple receivers. Baylin Brooks caught two passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. Cole Cabana had two receptions for 35 yards. Egypt Nelson added a 33-yard catch. Nate Levicki made three catches for 23 yards. Aveion Chenault had two receptions for 20 yards. Keivin Boone-Nelson II caught one pass for 6 yards. Adam Parks was on the receiving end of two touchdown passes, including the 42-yarder and the 4-yarder. Lowry also added a rushing touchdown, and his ability to extend plays with his legs kept Kent State’s defense off balance.

DeShields completed 19 of 35 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown and recorded one tackle. Kent State’s offense moved the ball at times but could not convert enough scoring opportunities. Joel Cordoba led the Golden Flashes with six tackles. Hayden Dawahare added six tackles. Derrick Jackson III had six tackles. Trey Rubinstein made six tackles with one quarterback hurry. Garrett Long also recorded six tackles. Rocco Nicholl finished with four tackles. Antonio Bottiggi, Josue Cordoba, Norey Johnson and Rafael Terrero Jr. each had three tackles. Aiden Burgess added three tackles. The Golden Flashes’ defense faced frequent pressure from Western Michigan’s offense, especially on third down.

Western Michigan’s defense produced several impactful plays. Dillon Moore led the Broncos with eight tackles and one sack. Joshua Franklin recorded eight tackles and returned one kickoff for 24 yards. Domanick Moon had six tackles. Joey Pope made six tackles. Brenden Anes added six tackles. Justyce Betts finished with five tackles and one quarterback hurry. Daeh McCullough and Jarvarius Sims each had four tackles. Cam’ron Barber, Austin Alexander and Gabe Welch each recorded three tackles. Welch also intercepted a pass, while Alexander added half a sack. Ahmed Tounkara made three tackles. KJ Burley contributed two tackles, half a sack and one quarterback hurry. Scoop Gardner Jr. had two tackles, one sack and two quarterback hurries. DeJuan Echoles Jr. recorded two tackles, one sack and one quarterback hurry. Gian Carter added two tackles and one sack. Andrew Baker, Zavian Tibbs and Jori Benson each finished with two tackles. Amarian Louis, Dalton Gustwiller, Kouri Crump, Will Gerig, Blair Alexander, Dakari Frazier, Willard Ferrell and Palmer Domschke each recorded one tackle. Ryan Millmore punted twice for 80 yards. Dieter Kelly handled kicking duties, while Jordon Thomas and additional defensive linemen contributed in reserve roles.

Kent State’s previous results this season include a win over Ball State and a win over Wofford, along with losses to Ohio, Ohio State and South Carolina. Western Michigan previously beat Buffalo, Rice and Monmouth, while losing to Boise State and Michigan. The Broncos’ win over Kent State moved them to 4-2 overall. The Golden Flashes fell to 2-4. Western Michigan’s next scheduled game is at Central Michigan. Kent State’s next scheduled game is at South Florida. After that, Western Michigan is scheduled to visit Toledo, host Bowling Green, visit Akron, host Eastern Michigan and host Miami of Ohio. Kent State is scheduled to host Akron, visit Sacramento State, visit Bowling Green, host Miami of Ohio and visit Eastern Michigan.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Western Michigan 45, Kent State 16. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Western Michigan with a 95.1 percent probability to win. Kent State had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +14. The total score of 45 went under the over/under line of 43.5.