Things went better than expected for Kirk Elsworth and the Western Michigan University football team this season.
The Broncos, coming off a 1-10 season in 2004, bounced back this season under first-year head coach Bill Cubit to post a 7-4 record, including a 5-3 mark in Mid-American Conference play.
Elsworth, a Goodrich native and a freshman at Western, came off the bench this season as a running back with the Broncos, and played in 10 games this season, including one start (Oct. 8 against Ball State).
He said he was pleased with the team’s performance this season, and was glad to do his part.
‘We bonded well as a team,? he said. ‘We had great senior leadership, and we didn’t hold anything back. I didn’t expect much playing time going into this year. I was happy with what I got.?
For the season, Elsworth finished with 61 yards rushing, on 18 attempts, returned six kickoffs for 110 yards and one punt for 14 yards, and had two tackles and one blocked kick.
That blocked punt came in the Broncos? Sept. 10 game against Toledo, and directly led to a touchdown by the Broncos? Jamarko Simmons. The Rockets defeated the Broncos 56-23 in that contest.
Elsworth said that play, along with a 45-yard kickoff return Nov. 12 against archrival Central Michigan, were the two plays that stood out for him the most this season.
The latter of the two plays took place in an annual rivalry game between the Broncos and Chippewas. The Broncos won this year’s clash 31-24 at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo.
Elsworth said it was a fun experience to be a part of the Western-Central rivalry.
‘I’m sure it will be even more heated next year,? he said. ‘The stadium was packed and the crowd was really into the game.?
Off the field, Elsworth, an education major, said his transition to college life has been a positive one as well.
‘Things are going real well,? he said. ‘The teachers are nice and it’s a good atmosphere to be in. The community really supports the team.?
Next year, Elsworth said he hopes to earn more playing time and perhaps compete for a starting spot, and he also hopes Western can contend for a MAC title and a trip to a bowl game.
In the meantime, he said the Western coaching staff is having him work on getting faster and stronger during the offseason, as well as reading the team’s playbook.
‘That’s the only thing you can do,? he said.