KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Jalen Buckley ran for 194 yards and a touchdown, and Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor got his first win at the helm with a 35-17 victory over St. Francis (Pa.) on Thursday night in a season opener.

Buckley scored from 3 yards out with 5:40 left in the second quarter to give the Broncos a 21-3 lead. Norwin grad Jack Salopek’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Austin Hence ended a 15-play, 80-yard drive that stretched the lead to 28-17 late in the third quarter. Buckley’s 68-yard run helped set up Marshawn Kneeland’s 1-yard TD plunge early in the fourth.

Salopek was 18-of-26 passing for 170 yards. Zahir Abdus-Salaam added 73 yards rushing and a short-yardage touchdown.

Cole Doyle completed 14 of 24 passes for 230 yards with a touchdown pass to lead St. Francis. His 77-yard scoring strike to Dawson Snyder just before halftime pulled St. Francis to 21-10. QuaSean Holmes had 40 yards rushing and a touchdown run for the Red Flash.

Taylor was named the Broncos’ head coach on Dec. 8, 2022. Taylor, 42, spent last season as the offensive coordinator at Louisville.

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