Eastern Michigan Athletics
Downard and Johnson Named MAC Players of the Week
10/29/2007 3:22:11 PM | Football
Selected for outstanding efforts in win over Western Michigan
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Eastern Michigan University football players Ryan Downard (Lima, Ohio-Shawnee) and Zach Johnson (Springboro, Ohio-Springboro) have both been named Mid-American Conference West Division Players of the Week for games of Oct. 27.
Downard, a redshirt freshman safety, was selected as the West Division Defensive Player of the Week after helping Eastern record a 19-2 Homecoming win over Western Michigan Saturday, Oct. 27. Downard recorded two interceptions and added five tackles in the game. He is tied for third in the nation and is first in the MAC with six interceptions on the year.
Johnson, a redshirt sophomore punter and place-kicker, handled both duties in the win over Western to earn West Division Special Teams Player of the Week. Johnson had five punts for 198 yards and dropped four inside the Broncos' 20-yard line, including two inside the four. Johnson also booted a career-best 50-yard field goal.
The Eagles, now 3-6 overall, 2-1 in the MAC West and 2-2 overall in the MAC, will stay in West Division action Saturday, Nov. 3, when they travel to Toledo to square off against the Rockets in a 7 p.m. game in the Glass Bowl.
