Miami Redhawks set to meet Western Michigan Broncos in 2025 MAC Championship Game
- Chas Post
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The Miami Redhawks take on the Western Michigan Broncos in the 2025 MAC Championship Game at Ford Field on Saturday at noon! Miami is hoping to win a record-tying fifth MAC title and second in the last three years, while Western Michigan is looking to win its second championship and first since 2016.
Both teams enter the MAC Championship Game on recent winning streaks as Western Michigan has won four in a row and Miami has won two straight games. The Broncos went 8-4 and led the MAC with a 7-1 record in conference play, while the Redhawks were 7-5 and 6-2 in the MAC during the regular season.
Western Michigan is 2.5-point favorites over Miami with the over/under projected at 43.5 total points per FanDuel Sportsbook. Miami beat Western Michigan 26-17 in the regular season but the Broncos have been playing better in recent weeks and are projected to win the rematch with a championship at stake.
"I'm really proud of our team for their belief, buy in and effort this year," Western Michigan head coach Lance Taylor told the media. "We've taken the next step to reach Detroit. Our players are very excited. We have a great opponent that we have faced this year so it will take our best effort on Saturday."
Miami is fueled by quarterback Thomas Gotkowski, Indiana transfer wide receiver Kam Perry (865 yards and six touchdowns), running back Jordan Brunson, linebacker Adam Trick and defensive back Eli Blakey. Gotkowski stepped in as the starter after quarterback Dequan Finn opted to leave the team last month.
"The way we have gotten here has been amazing," Miami head coach Chuck Martin said to the media. "We have been through a lot of ups and downs. We've always bounced back and gotten better. Everybody keeps hanging in there and making plays. It's been an amazing journey for us this year."
Western Michigan is powered by Indiana transfer quarterback Broc Lowry, running back Jalen Buckley, Houston transfer edge rusher Nadame Tucker (49 total tackles and MAC-best 12 sacks) and Cincinnati transfer linebacker James Camden. Lowry and Tucker took home 2025 MAC Player of the Year honors.
2025 MAC Championship Game players to watch
1. Nadame Tucker (Western Michigan defensive end)
2. Broc Lowry (Western Michigan quarterback)
3. Kam Perry (Miami wide receiver)
4. Jordan Brunson (Miami running back)
5. Jalen Buckley (Western Michigan running back)
6. Adam Trick (Miami linebacker)
7. Eli Blakey (Miami defensive back)
8. Talique Williams (Western Michigan wide receiver)
9. Thomas Gotkowski (Miami quarterback)
10. James Camden (Western Michigan linebacker)
MAC Championship Game recent history
2012: Northern Illinois over Kent State (44-37 2OT)
2013: Bowling Green over Northern Illinois (47-27)
2014: Northern Illinois over Bowling Green (51-17)
2015: Bowling Green over Northern Illinois (34-14)
2016: Western Michigan over Ohio (29-23)
2017: Toledo over Akron (45-28)
2018: Northern Illinois over Buffalo (30-29)
2019: Miami over Central Michigan (26-21)
2020: Ball State over Buffalo (38-28)
2021: Northern Illinois over Kent State (41-23)
2022: Toledo over Ohio (17-7)
2023: Miami over Toledo (23-14)
2024: Ohio over Miami (38-3)
MAC Championship Game past winners
1. Northern Illinois Huskies (5)
2. Marshall Thundering Herd (5)
3. Miami Redhawks (4)
4. Toledo Rockets (4)
5. Central Michigan Chippewas (3)
6. Bowling Green Falcons (2)
7. Akron Zips (1)
8. Ball State Cardinals (1)
9. Buffalo Bulls (1)
10. Ohio Bobcats (1)
11. Western Michigan Broncos (1)
12. Eastern Michigan Eagles (0)
13. Massachusetts Minutemen (0)
Comments