Western Michigan lost several keys pieces heading into the 2017 season. Zach Terrell and Corey Davis graduated, P.J. Fleck exited to Minnesota, and Buster Bronco took on the form of a completely different species.
On July 19, Western Michigan's athletic department announced on Twitter that the beloved Kalamazoo mascot would change his appearance, starting at the Broncos' home opener on September 16. The account posted several mock videos of Buster altering his lifestyle by jogging around campus and hitting up the bench press at Western Michigan's training facilities.
Although gaining an increased muscular physique, the most glaring change in Buster's appearance was the reconstruction of his facial expression.