Things have gone from bad to worse for the Western Michigan football team – just ask its punter, Adam Anderson.

“It feels like what’s gone on with our team, we’ve been stripped of our pride,” said a stone-faced Anderson after Saturday’s 59-38 loss to NIU.

On second thought, take that back, don’t listen to him, he’s just an observer. He has no reason to be speaking about his team, according to WMU coach Gary Darnell.

“Adam is a wonderful person, but it’s not always a real good thing to have the punter as your spokesman,” said Darnell when informed of Anderson’s comments. “I think you as professionals would understand that. He’s a sideline observer and a high-passion guy.”

Why was Anderson even in Saturday’s post-game press conference? Not too sure, but that’s beside the point.

While the Broncos are in the midst of a six-game losing streak, it seems the team has begun to eat away at itself from the inside.

During the press conference after the loss to NIU, Anderson had some harsh words about his “family,” as he called it.

“You have to question the desire of some of our guys out there,” he said. “I take a lot of pride in being a Bronco, but I never thought it would come to this.”

The venting session, as it seemed, was a result of a frustrated senior in the middle of a miserable end to his career at WMU.

The Broncos’ losing has not gotten as bad as the 23-game suffrage streak that NIU endured during the 1996, ‘97 and ‘98 seasons. But it does shed some light on just how bad things can get when the going gets brutal.

Seven games into the season, WMU (1-6 overall, 0-4 MAC) has already secured itself a fourth consecutive losing season. This is all after winning the MAC West and playing in the conference championship game in 1999 and 2000.

“They’ve won two West Division titles,” NIU coach Joe Novak said. “That’s something we’ve never done here. [Darnell] knows how to win and he’s lost a lot of coaches. I hope they give him a chance to fight through this.”

The Huskies and Broncos have completely switched positions in the MAC. While NIU has begun a winning tradition, it is WMU that has gone in the completely opposite direction.

All this losing has left Anderson to turn to alternative places for motivation.

“I appreciate the band because it doesn’t matter what happens on the field, they’re never down for a game or change their attitude,” Anderson said. “They, to me – the band, the ‘team of the band’ – is ideal for what the Broncos as a team need to be. The band has a consistent attitude. Rain or shine, they’re on the field all day long and they give it their best.

“They don’t make mistakes – to me, that’s inspiring. I’m the first person to let you know if you’re inspiring me. I want every one of those band members to know what they mean to me. They mean a lot to this team as a whole.”

The band?

No disrespect to the band or to Anderson, who was pouring his heart out to, of all people, the media; but that was a true sign of desperation.

Isn’t that what coaches are for – inspiring speeches that get their teams riled up?

The Broncos, who reside in the ESPN Bottom 10 list, will take on rival Central Michigan this Saturday.

Rivalry wins are huge. For many, they can make or break a season. But for WMU star wide receiver Greg Jennings, this season is beyond that.

“Me, personally – no,” said Jennings, when asked if a win this week would help the Broncos’ situation. “I don’t think that’s going to salvage anything.”