MONTGOMERY, AL –– In search of its third bowl win in program history, the situation was ideal for Western Michigan football on Saturday.

But unfortunately, the Broncos were caught in a movement.

And became a victim of a rally.

After jumping out to an early 10-point lead, Western Michigan was set back by South Alabama’s comeback and was never able to fully recover in a 30-23 loss in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl game Saturday night at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.

WMU (6-7, 5-3 Mid-American Conference) was looking for its first bowl game win since 2021, but instead suffered its third straight losing season.

South Alabama (7-6) stormed back to take a 16-13 halftime lead thanks to an electrifying 45-yard touchdown reception from Jeremiah Webb, who high-pointed the ball away from a Bronco defender in less than five minutes half.

But the decisive moment came in the fourth quarter.

WMU quarterback Hayden Wolff orchestrated a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped by a superb 7-yard back-shoulder touchdown reception from Anthony Sambucci to give the Broncos a 23-20 win, just over six minutes before the end of regular time – what left WMU The defense desperately needs a stop.

WMU forced South Alabama into a 4th-and-1 on the ensuing drive, but running back Kentrel Bullock rushed for the first down and on the next play missed an arm tackle en route to a 22-yard touchdown for a 30-20 lead .

An advantage too great for WMU to overcome.

Webb had six receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns, and in his second start of the season, South Alabama quarterback Bishop Davenport threw for 274 yards and two scores, including a 50-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Bullock finished with 130 yards rushing on 17 carries.

WMU built a 10-0 lead early in the contest when Jalen Buckley broke through for a 1-yard touchdown and Luka Zurak added a 37-yard field goal 10 seconds into the second quarter.

And after South Alabama’s 16 unanswered points, Josh Franklin intercepted Davenport in plus territory, leading to a Zurak field goal in the final moments of the half that halted the Jaguars’ momentum and pulled the Broncos within 16-13.

WMU got the ball out of the break, but an illegal block prevented the opening drive, and Davenport danced his way to his 50-yard score that extended the Jaguars’ lead to 23-13.

Sambucci finished his career with over 1,000 receiving yards thanks to his three receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown.

Wolff completed 17 of 27 passes for 196 yards with a score and an interception, Jaden Nixon carried 11 passes for 45 yards and Buckley added 26 yards with a touchdown.

Senior running back Zahir Abdus-Salaam added 33 yards.

Kenneth Womack was the Broncos’ leading receiver with five receptions for 89 yards, and Donald Willis led the defense with ten tackles.

After winning four games in his first year as head coach, Lance Taylor led the Broncos to their 12th bowl game appearance in program history this season. Taylor developed several top talents, including all-MAC center and Rimington Trophy finalist Jacob Gideon and first-team All-American guard Addison West.