Jon Wassink: Hustle Belt Player of the Week, 2019 Week 1

With six MAC teams dominating FCS opponents in Week 1 and Eastern Michigan defeating Coastal Carolina, there was no shortage of dominant performances in the MAC on opening weekend.

But no player made his way into highlight reels like Western Michigan quarterback Jon Wassink. The senior, returning from a second-consecutive season-ending injury, picked up right where he left off in a 48-13 win over Monmouth of the FCS.

Wassink completed 20-of-25 passes and threw for 368 yards, ranking first in the MAC and 12th in the entire FBS. The senior’s 80% completion percentage is currently situated at seventh in the category among qualified quarterbacks. But most impressively, Wassink led his team to a prolific day on the scoreboard. He added five touchdown passes, tied with LSU’s Joe Burrow and Washington State’s Anthony Gordon for most in the country.

Wassink connected with tight end Giovanni Ricci on two touchdown passes in a 31-point first half. He also completed his longest touchdown pass in the opening half to sophomore wide receiver Jaylen Hall from 33 yards out. In the second half, Wassink threw touchdown passes of 25 and 8 yards to lead the Broncos to a dominate 35-point win at Waldo Stadium.

As one of the nation’s top passers in several major statistical categories, Wassink takes the field in East Lansing next Saturday for a battle with Michigan State.