Broncos Showcase Grit as True Freshman and Transfer QBs Find End Zone
*KALAMAZOO, MI* — Western Michigan University football players dont just talk about grit. They live it.
That philosophy was on full display Saturday at Waldo Stadium, where true freshman quarterback Jaxson Dosh and Michigan transfer running back Cole Cabana both found the end zone in a physical 8-6 spring game victory for the Gold team.
The game featured alternate rules with no special teams and scoring opportunities from various yard lines. The Brown team scored a touchdown late from Cabana, but Broc Lowrys three-point conversion attempt fell short in the end zone after being broken up by the defense.
Dosh led the Gold team to victory with an 8-yard scramble touchdown, breaking free outside the pocket for the decisive score. The Davison High School product, a three-star prospect ranked No. 70 in Michigan for the Class of 2026, showcased his dual-threat abilities throughout the scrimmage.
I got after Jaxson a little bit because he slid on third down short of the sticks, Western Michigan football coach Lance Taylor said. We dont wear grit on our hats so our quarterbacks can slide. How many teams across the country had their quarterbacks go live in their spring game? When we talk about grit, we just cant just talk about it, we got to live it.
Dosh, an early enrollee, said the experience validated his work during spring practice.
Michigan made, Dosh said. Michigan is super underrated for high school football and we got ballers here. I worked hard throughout the whole spring and today was a good testament to the work I put in.
Cabana brought the Brown team within two points in the final minute with his 4-yard rushing touchdown. The five-foot-11, 197-pound running back transferred to WMU in 2025 after standing out at Dexter High School before his season ended due to injury.
Its a blessing to be healthy again, Cabana said. Getting into the end zone like that, it is just what I do. Credit to the guys up front, they gave me the opportunity.
Cabana joins a deep running back room that includes all-MAC standout Jalen Buckley, senior Lolo Mataele, Arkansas transfer AJ Green and freshman Donovan Triplett.
Quarterback Room Deepens With Multiple Options
The spring game gave fans a glimpse into WMUs quarterback depth. Lowry returns after earning MAC offensive player of the year honors in 2025. Behind him is Illinois transfer Trey Petty, who scrambled for several first downs on Saturday.
I can do it all, Petty said. I feel like I can run, I can throw and I can extend plays with my legs and even when Im outside the pocket, Im still looking to throw the ball. Im a versatile weapon and I could pretty much do anything. Im not a system guy or a robot.
Dosh and Petty flashed the most playmaking on Saturday, according to head coach Lance Taylor.
I am really excited about Trey, being a transfer from Illinois, really came in and from day one has become a Bronco, Taylor said. What it takes to be a Bronco, to live the standard, be a great teammate.
Petty has made it a point to understudy Lowry during the offseason, shadowing him in weight room sessions and film room study.
Just shadowing him every day in the weight room, in the film room, asking him questions and he is answering them, helping me every day, Petty said. I feel like that also helped.
Defense Shows Committee Approach
Perhaps the biggest takeaway came on the defensive side. The Broncos ranked ninth in FBS in scoring defense last season with 17.3 points per game allowed.
Nadame Tucker was the headliner last year but we got this year it is going to be by committee, Taylor said. We got strength in numbers in all three levels of our defense and coach Martini has done a great job of making this defense his own.
The secondary returns five players who started games in 2025, including cornerbacks John Peters and Jarvarius Sims, nickel Josh Franklin and safeties Micah Davis and Joey Pope. Interior defensive lineman Dalton Gustwiller looked dominant, recording a quick pressure and sack in the later portion of the scrimmage.
Im glad I can finally start to show it and Im developing it more, Gustwiller said. That was a big thing this offseason, really trying to develop my pass rush and continue to get better at that.
Competitive Spirit Defines Broncos Identity
The game reinforced what has become of the Broncos program. Every drill features a winner and loser, showing the heart and character of the team.
In everything we have done, its been competitive and they show up, Taylor said. We made every single drill where there is a winner and a loser and I think that really just shows the heart and character of this team. They are competitors and they want to win.
As the Broncos prepare for the upcoming season, the focus remains on embodying the grit that fueled their MAC title run last season while building new identity for the future.