BREAKING: Western Michigan leading receiver ruled out for Week 1 vs. Wisconsin

Western Michigan leading receiver ruled out for Week 1 vs. Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s Week 1 opponent Western Michigan will be without its top offensive weapon tonight.

That is star wide receiver Kenneth Womack, who has reportedly been ruled out of the contest with a broken hand (per SB Nation’s Steve Helwick).

Related: Wisconsin releases pregame injury report for Week 1 vs. Western Michigan

Womack led the Broncos in receptions (76) and receiving yards (691) in 2023, an output that led to a first-team All-MAC selection.

His absence is major news for a Western Michigan offense that enters 2024 with familiar faces at quarterback and running back, but will be operating under new leadership. OC Walt Bell is in his first season with the program after spending 2022 and 2023 on Tom Allen’s coaching staff at Indiana.

Western Michigan will now lean heavily on senior Anthony Sambucci, redshirt junior Malique Dieudonne and transfer Jordin Parker to lead the wide receiver room. The team should also heavily feature RB Jalen Buckley, a redshirt sophomore who excelled with 1,164 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023.

Wisconsin’s defensive strength is in the secondary. Womack’s absence should only heighten that advantage.

The matchup will play out when the game kicks off at 8 p.m. CT, 9 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.

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