Eastern Michigan Athletics
Football Has a Date With Northern Illinois for Homecoming
9/22/2008 12:49:42 PM | Football
Kick off against Northern Illinois University set for at noon in Rynearson Stadium
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Click Here to Listen to the Game via WEMU.
Click Here to Watch Coach Genyk's Media Press Conference.
Click Here for More Homecoming Week Details.
Grab your ten-gallon hat and saddle up for Eastern Michigan University Homecoming 2008! The Alumni Relations Office has rustled up a weeklong celebration of down-home fun which began Sunday, Sept. 21, and culminates with the big football game Saturday, Sept. 27, when the Eagles kick off against the Northern Illinois University Huskies, at noon in Rynearson Stadium.
EMU VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS: Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan are meeting for the 39th time in the series which started in 1927. NIU holds a 21-14-2 lead in the matchup, however EMU posted a thrilling 21-19 win, Sept. 15, 2007, at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Ill. NIU holds an 11-6-1 advantage in games played in Ypsilanti. The last time the two teams met in Rynearson Stadium, NIU hung a 27-0 victory, Nov. 24, 2006.
HOMECOMING HAS SIGNIFICANT DATE: Saturday’s game has special meaning, it was 40 years ago today in 1969 that EMU hosted the University of Akron in the first-ever game at Rynearson Stadium.
EMU ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB: The EMU athletic website, featuring information on all 21 varsity athletic teams, is: www.emueagles.com. There is an additional website for information on the Eagles’ football team only and that site is: www.emueaglesfootball.com.
ALL-TIME ON HOMECOMING: Today’s game marks the 81st edition of homecoming at Eastern Michigan University. The tradition started in 1926 when then-Michigan Normal downed Kalamazoo College, 19-0, Nov. 29, 1926. The Green and White are 43-35-2 in homecoming games, including winning the last three contests, over Western Michigan 19-2 (Oct. 27, 2007), Kent State, 27-20 (Oct. 1, 2005), and Toledo, 17-13 (Oct. 21, 2006).
WELCOME BACK: The EMU football team members from 1958 are special guests at Saturday’s game. We welcome back that fine group of lettermen on their 50th anniversary.
HOLTZCLAW CONTINUES STOPS: Senior linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw continues his climb up the EMU career tackles list. Holtzclaw opened the year with five tackles in limited action against Indiana State, Aug. 28, and responded to the big stage in East Lansing, Sept. 6, with 12 stops, including a sack for nine yards. He had five stops against Toledo, Sept. 13 and nine last weekend (Sept. 20) at Maryland. He is now fourth on the EMU career list with 361 total tackles.
ROCK-SOLID RECEIVER: EMU junior Jacory Stone has been a steady force in the receiving corps for the past two seasons and he is continuing as the leading pass catcher this year. Stone hauled in nine passes for 76 yards, including a two-yard touchdown toss last weekend at Maryland, Sept. 20. He has now grabbed 82 receptions for an even 800 yards and five scores during his 28-game career, 21 as a starter.
GROUND GAME BY COMMITTEE: EMU head coach Jeff Genyk has called on two tailbacks for the bulk of the rushing attempts this year and both players have turned in solid efforts through the first four games. Four-game starter Terrence Blevins is leading the way with 312 yards on 55 rushes to go along with a team-leading five touchdowns. Sophomore tailback Dewayne Priest has backed up Blevins with 194 yards on 36 rushes while scoring two touchdowns. In addition to the two tailbacks, quarterbacks Andy Schmitt (89 yards) and Kyle McMahon (106 yards) have helped the run game.
GAGE-ING KICK RETURNS: Junior Dontayo Gage has moved up to fourth all-time in EMU kickoff return yardage with 1,262 during his 29-game career. He will have a long way to go to catch the career leader, Trumaine Riley, who had 2,541 yards in returns from 2003-06.
CARITHERS ON THE MARK: Junior-college transfer Joe Carithers has been a model of consistency in the place-kicking area this year. Carithers has made all 12 PATs and has booted four-of-five field goals with successful boots of 23,24,30 and 33 yards while he has one miss of 41 yards.
