The 2016 season was a historic year for the Western Michigan football program. The Broncos finished the regular season with an undefeated 13-0 record and won their fifth Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship. As a result, they received an invitation to play in the Cotton Bowl Classic, marking their first appearance in a New Year’s Six bowl game and their first appearance in a major bowl game in school history.

The game was played on January 2, 2017, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and featured the Broncos facing off against the Wisconsin Badgers of the Big Ten Conference. Despite a valiant effort, the Broncos were ultimately unable to overcome the Badgers, losing by a score of 24-16.

The team was led by head coach P.J. Fleck, who had built the program into a consistent winner during his four years at the helm. The team featured several talented players, including quarterback Zach Terrell, wide receiver Corey Davis, and linebacker Robert Spillane, among others. The success of the 2016 season helped elevate the Western Michigan football program to new heights and put them on the national stage.

In addition to football, Western Michigan has also had success in other sports, including basketball, baseball, and soccer. The university has produced several Hall of Fame athletes, including football players Greg Jennings and Jason Babin, basketball players David Kool and Joe Reitz, and soccer player Cindy Parlow Cone, among others.