KALAMAZOO, MI - From the moment Tim Lester's coaching staff took over the Western Michigan football program in January 2017, quarterback Jon Wassink had 35 practices to turn his knowledge of the new playbook into on-field results.
The passing game struggled early, and understandably so, given that the former Grand Rapids South Christian star had yet to take a collegiate snap and the team was set to open the season with No. 4 USC and Michigan State in Weeks 1 and 2.
The progress was slow, but steady, and Wassink turned his 45.8 completion percentage, 73 yards-per-game average and 0:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio into an improved stat line of 64.