Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, November 5
Rynearson Stadium
Noon
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Ball State
Photo by: EMU Athletics/Randy Mascharka
Football Returns to Action Against Ball State
10/31/2011 11:13:00 AM | Football, E-Gridiron Group
Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 » 12:05 p.m. » Rynearson Stadium (30,200) » Ypsilanti, Mich.
Complete Release.
Live Stats.
Listen to the Game.
Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Voting.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Following a thrilling 14-10 victory over Western Michigan University on homecoming that secured the Michigan Mid-American Conference Championship, Oct. 22, the Eastern Michigan University football team returns to action against Ball State University, Nov. 5. Game time is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium. The Eagles enter the contest with a 5-3 (3-1 MAC) record, meanwhile, the Cardinals are 5-4 (3-2 MAC) after coming up short at Western Michigan University, 45-35, in Kalamazoo, Mich., Oct. 29. The contest will be shown on ESPN+ in 22 markets across the nation, with Michael Reghi providing the play-by-play and former EMU Assistant Coach Doug Graber serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Andrew Wellock calling the action on the field.
MICHIGAN MAC CHAMPIONS!: For the first time since the 2008 campaign and the third time in the award's brief history, the Michigan Mid-American Conference trophy resides in Ypsilanti. Eastern Michigan first defeated in-state rival Central Michigan, 35-28, on the road, Oct. 15. The Green and White then followed it up with a hard-fought 14-10 home victory over Western Michigan, Oct. 22, to take possession of the hardware that goes to the Michigan MAC university that defeats the other two rival schools in the same regular season.
WIN MORE MINUTES ... PAY THE PRICE: Every season under Head Coach Ron English the Eagles have made dramatic progress. The 2011 season is the perfect example of that as the Green and White have posted a 5-3 record through its first eight games, surpassing the team's entire win-total during the first two season's of English's tenure as head coach.
EMBRACE THE PROCESS: The five wins by the Green and White in 2011 are the most victories in a season by an EMU squad since 1995, when the then-Rick Rasnick led Eagles finished with a 6-5 record.
RUN, RUN, RUN: In eight games this season, Eastern Michigan has rushed for 1,809 yards and 15 touchdowns on 367 carries for the 15th-best ground attack in the nation. In fact, the Eagles have been picking up yardage at a prolific rate and are currently on pace to set the school record for most net rushing yards in a season. The 1987 Hurons, who captured the 1987 Mid-American Conference title, ran the ball a program-best 610 times for a total of 2,701 yards. Through its first eight games, that 1987 squad ran the football 401 times for 1,710 yards and 22 touchdowns.
EASTERN EXPRESS: It is not exactly a reincarnation of the famed SMU “Pony Express” from the mid-1980's, but Eastern Michigan can boast an extremely potent running attack that is starting to turn heads. The Eagles have four players that are averaging more than 50 yards per game on the ground. Dominique Sherrer leads the way at 105.7 yards per game, followed by Javonti Greene (67.1), Dominique White (58.0) and Alex Gillett (54.9).
EMU is the only school in the MAC to boast this feat, with Temple being the next closest with three players averaging more than 50-yards per game via the run.
DEFENSE COMES UP BIG VERSUS WESTERN: Eastern Michigan held the potent Western Michigan offense, Oct. 22, below its season average in points (-21), passing yardage (-83), and total yardage (-78). It was also the first time the Broncos had been shut out in the first half of play since Michigan did it to them in 2009.
In addition, the Eagles' fourth quarter goal-line stand that stopped the Broncos from scoring in the red zone for just the second time in 31 opportunities this season. WMU entered the game tied for the national lead in red zone opportunities.
GREEENE DAY LEADS TO PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Sophomore Javonti Greene caught a 50-yard pass from Alex Gillett in the first quarter and scored on a 50-yard run midway through the fourth quarter for the two EMU touchdowns in the 14-10 victory over Western Michigan, Oct. 22, to secure the Michigan MAC title.
Greene was held to 61 yards on 13 carries for the game, but broke loose for the 50-yard run with 7:46 to play, putting the Eagles ahead 14-10. The West Palm Beach Fla. native's 50-yard TD reception was the first of his young career, and shattered his previous career-long catch that went for 16-yards at Toledo, Oct. 30, 2010.
For his efforts, Greene was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 23. This marked Greene's first career MAC weekly award.
PERFECT AT HOME: Eastern Michigan is 4-0 inside the confines of Rynearson Stadium during the 2011 campaign. The last time the Green and White boasted four consecutive home victories during the same regular season was 1987, when the Eagles knocked off Youngstown State (35-20), Northern Illinois (32-31), Ball State (35-28), Ohio (34-16). That EMU squad would also add its fifth straight home win that season on senior day against Bowling Green (38-18).
From 1986-88 the then-Hurons rolled off 10 consecutive wins in front of the home faithful.
BEST EIGHT-GAME DEFENSIVE EFFORT SINCE 1993: Through eight games this season, the Eagles' defense allowed just 196 points for a total of 24.5 points per game. The last EMU squad to accomplish the feat was the 1993 team, which allowed just 175 points through its first eight contests. EMU currently ranks 47th nationally in scoring defense and fourth in the MAC.
ALL-TIME VERSUS BSU: Ball State and Eastern Michigan will be meeting for the 53rd time in school history. The Cardinals hold a 29-21-2 edge in the series that began in 1936 when EMU recorded a 6-0 victory in Ypsilanti, Sept. 26.
The Green and White's last victory over the Cardinal and White came Oct. 16, 2010, when the Eagles mounted the biggest comeback in a victory in school history. Eastern rallied to out-score the Cardinals, 41-17, after the midway point of the second quarter to capture the trilling 41-38 overtime victory.
POWER OF SEVEN: A total of 10 of EMU's 32 games under Head Coach Ron English have been decided by seven points-or-less. The Eagles are 5-5 in those contests.
ON THE HORIZON: Following the BSU game, Eastern Michigan remains in the friendly confines of Rynearson Stadium to battle the University at Buffalo, Nov. 12. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. as the Eagles close out the home portion of the 2011 schedule. Prior to the game, EMU will honor 16 seniors who have made significant contributions during their tenure in Ypsilanti.
A LOOK BACK AT THE BIGGEST COMEBACK: EMU trailed by 21 points Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, as Ball State raced out to a 21-point lead midway through the second quarter before the Eagles mounted the biggest comeback in a victory in school history. Eastern rallied to out-score the Cardinals, 41-17 the rest of the way for the 41-38 overtime win. The only other EMU team to rally for 20 points or more in a win was the 2000 squad that came back from a 32-12 deficit to score 27 unanswered points to defeat Northern Illinois, 39-32, Nov. 11, in Rynearson Stadium.
Alex Gillett led the Eagles offensively, going 10-for-18 for 225 yards via the air with three scores. The Green Springs, Ohio native also ran the ball 35 times for 189 yards and two touchdowns, the most single-game carries and rushing yards for a quarterback in school history. Kinsman Thomas caught six balls for 87 yards, while Ben Thayer grabbed three passes for 65 yards and two scores In total, the Eagles racked up 490 yard in 73 plays.
Live Stats.
Listen to the Game.
Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Voting.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Following a thrilling 14-10 victory over Western Michigan University on homecoming that secured the Michigan Mid-American Conference Championship, Oct. 22, the Eastern Michigan University football team returns to action against Ball State University, Nov. 5. Game time is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium. The Eagles enter the contest with a 5-3 (3-1 MAC) record, meanwhile, the Cardinals are 5-4 (3-2 MAC) after coming up short at Western Michigan University, 45-35, in Kalamazoo, Mich., Oct. 29. The contest will be shown on ESPN+ in 22 markets across the nation, with Michael Reghi providing the play-by-play and former EMU Assistant Coach Doug Graber serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Andrew Wellock calling the action on the field.
MICHIGAN MAC CHAMPIONS!: For the first time since the 2008 campaign and the third time in the award's brief history, the Michigan Mid-American Conference trophy resides in Ypsilanti. Eastern Michigan first defeated in-state rival Central Michigan, 35-28, on the road, Oct. 15. The Green and White then followed it up with a hard-fought 14-10 home victory over Western Michigan, Oct. 22, to take possession of the hardware that goes to the Michigan MAC university that defeats the other two rival schools in the same regular season.
WIN MORE MINUTES ... PAY THE PRICE: Every season under Head Coach Ron English the Eagles have made dramatic progress. The 2011 season is the perfect example of that as the Green and White have posted a 5-3 record through its first eight games, surpassing the team's entire win-total during the first two season's of English's tenure as head coach.
EMBRACE THE PROCESS: The five wins by the Green and White in 2011 are the most victories in a season by an EMU squad since 1995, when the then-Rick Rasnick led Eagles finished with a 6-5 record.
RUN, RUN, RUN: In eight games this season, Eastern Michigan has rushed for 1,809 yards and 15 touchdowns on 367 carries for the 15th-best ground attack in the nation. In fact, the Eagles have been picking up yardage at a prolific rate and are currently on pace to set the school record for most net rushing yards in a season. The 1987 Hurons, who captured the 1987 Mid-American Conference title, ran the ball a program-best 610 times for a total of 2,701 yards. Through its first eight games, that 1987 squad ran the football 401 times for 1,710 yards and 22 touchdowns.
EASTERN EXPRESS: It is not exactly a reincarnation of the famed SMU “Pony Express” from the mid-1980's, but Eastern Michigan can boast an extremely potent running attack that is starting to turn heads. The Eagles have four players that are averaging more than 50 yards per game on the ground. Dominique Sherrer leads the way at 105.7 yards per game, followed by Javonti Greene (67.1), Dominique White (58.0) and Alex Gillett (54.9).
EMU is the only school in the MAC to boast this feat, with Temple being the next closest with three players averaging more than 50-yards per game via the run.
DEFENSE COMES UP BIG VERSUS WESTERN: Eastern Michigan held the potent Western Michigan offense, Oct. 22, below its season average in points (-21), passing yardage (-83), and total yardage (-78). It was also the first time the Broncos had been shut out in the first half of play since Michigan did it to them in 2009.
In addition, the Eagles' fourth quarter goal-line stand that stopped the Broncos from scoring in the red zone for just the second time in 31 opportunities this season. WMU entered the game tied for the national lead in red zone opportunities.
GREEENE DAY LEADS TO PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Sophomore Javonti Greene caught a 50-yard pass from Alex Gillett in the first quarter and scored on a 50-yard run midway through the fourth quarter for the two EMU touchdowns in the 14-10 victory over Western Michigan, Oct. 22, to secure the Michigan MAC title.
Greene was held to 61 yards on 13 carries for the game, but broke loose for the 50-yard run with 7:46 to play, putting the Eagles ahead 14-10. The West Palm Beach Fla. native's 50-yard TD reception was the first of his young career, and shattered his previous career-long catch that went for 16-yards at Toledo, Oct. 30, 2010.
For his efforts, Greene was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 23. This marked Greene's first career MAC weekly award.
PERFECT AT HOME: Eastern Michigan is 4-0 inside the confines of Rynearson Stadium during the 2011 campaign. The last time the Green and White boasted four consecutive home victories during the same regular season was 1987, when the Eagles knocked off Youngstown State (35-20), Northern Illinois (32-31), Ball State (35-28), Ohio (34-16). That EMU squad would also add its fifth straight home win that season on senior day against Bowling Green (38-18).
From 1986-88 the then-Hurons rolled off 10 consecutive wins in front of the home faithful.
BEST EIGHT-GAME DEFENSIVE EFFORT SINCE 1993: Through eight games this season, the Eagles' defense allowed just 196 points for a total of 24.5 points per game. The last EMU squad to accomplish the feat was the 1993 team, which allowed just 175 points through its first eight contests. EMU currently ranks 47th nationally in scoring defense and fourth in the MAC.
ALL-TIME VERSUS BSU: Ball State and Eastern Michigan will be meeting for the 53rd time in school history. The Cardinals hold a 29-21-2 edge in the series that began in 1936 when EMU recorded a 6-0 victory in Ypsilanti, Sept. 26.
The Green and White's last victory over the Cardinal and White came Oct. 16, 2010, when the Eagles mounted the biggest comeback in a victory in school history. Eastern rallied to out-score the Cardinals, 41-17, after the midway point of the second quarter to capture the trilling 41-38 overtime victory.
POWER OF SEVEN: A total of 10 of EMU's 32 games under Head Coach Ron English have been decided by seven points-or-less. The Eagles are 5-5 in those contests.
ON THE HORIZON: Following the BSU game, Eastern Michigan remains in the friendly confines of Rynearson Stadium to battle the University at Buffalo, Nov. 12. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. as the Eagles close out the home portion of the 2011 schedule. Prior to the game, EMU will honor 16 seniors who have made significant contributions during their tenure in Ypsilanti.
A LOOK BACK AT THE BIGGEST COMEBACK: EMU trailed by 21 points Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, as Ball State raced out to a 21-point lead midway through the second quarter before the Eagles mounted the biggest comeback in a victory in school history. Eastern rallied to out-score the Cardinals, 41-17 the rest of the way for the 41-38 overtime win. The only other EMU team to rally for 20 points or more in a win was the 2000 squad that came back from a 32-12 deficit to score 27 unanswered points to defeat Northern Illinois, 39-32, Nov. 11, in Rynearson Stadium.
Alex Gillett led the Eagles offensively, going 10-for-18 for 225 yards via the air with three scores. The Green Springs, Ohio native also ran the ball 35 times for 189 yards and two touchdowns, the most single-game carries and rushing yards for a quarterback in school history. Kinsman Thomas caught six balls for 87 yards, while Ben Thayer grabbed three passes for 65 yards and two scores In total, the Eagles racked up 490 yard in 73 plays.
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