KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Holding off Ball State University, 37-30 to open Mid-American Conference play last week, two Western Michigan University football players earned honors for their play. Defensive lineman Braden Fiske and punter Nick Mihalic were named West Players of the Week.

A key defensive player for WMU, Fiske forced and recovered the fumble that led to the Broncos first scoring drive of the game. He finished with six tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, one pass break up, and a quarterback hurry. In the second half, the defense held Ball State to just 187 yards of total offense.

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Mihalic used his kicking abilities to help win the filed position battle. He had five punts for an average of 42-yards per punt with one punt over 50 yards. He also put one inside the 20-yard line and had six kickoffs with one touchback and a 63.6 yards per kickoff.

WMU will host ACC contender No. 23 Pittsburgh on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. It will be the first time that WMU hosts a ranked opponent since 2015.