No. 18 Northern Illinois Powers Past EMU

DEKALB, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) – In its first game against a ranked opponent this season, the Eastern Michigan University football team dropped a 59-20 decision to the No. 18-ranked Northern Illinois University Huskies Saturday afternoon, Oct. 26, at Huskie Stadium.

The Eagles (1-7, 0-4 MAC) knew they had their hands full against a NIU (8-0, 4-0 MAC) team that has not lost a Mid-American Conference game at home since 2008, a streak of 18 games. Additionally, the unbeaten Huskies owned the longest conference winning streak in the nation, posting wins in the last 21 games led by Heisman Trophy candidate Jordan Lynch.

"True" freshman Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit) made his first career start for Head Coach Ron English's club, completing 7-of-17 for 109 yards, including a career-long 38-yard pass to tight end Tyreese Russell (Walther Lutheran). Tyler Benz (Park Ridge, Ill.-Maine Township South) came on in relief with a 6-of-15 performance through the air for 64 yards along with leading EMU to its two touchdown drives on the afternoon. Russell was the primary target for the two EMU quarterbacks, hauling in four catches for a career-high 90 yards. On the ground, Javonti Greene (West Palm, Fla.-Royal Palm) carried the ball 17 times for 66 yards while Bronson Hill (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Catholic Central) added 65 yards rushing as well.

After taking the opening kick back for his first career kickoff return last week that would give him MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week honors, Tyler Allen (Lansing, Mich.-Eastern) continued his strong returning against the Huskies, taking back five kicks for 91 yards. On a game-long 29-yard kick return midway through the third quarter, Allen passed Corey Welch for third on the all-time career return yardage list. With 1,717 return yards, the speedy junior now sets his sights on Steve Clay who is ranked second in EMU laurels with 1,772 yards.

Lynch led NIU with six total touchdowns on the afternoon. The versatile quarterback went 16-of-20 for 223 yards through the air while rushing for 99 yards on 18 carries. He also caught a touchdown pass on a trick play from wide receiver Tommylee Lewis.

The Huskies struck first on the opening drive of the game, marching 82 yards down the field on 13 plays. Lynch completed five-of-six passes on the drives, his final one a five-yard connection to Da'Ron Brown for the score. With 10:44 remaining in the first quarter, the Eagles found themselves down, 7-0.

EMU started off hot on the offensive side with an 18-yard run by Hill on Eastern's first play from scrimmage and crossing into NIU territory. However, the drive stalled and Ray Guy Award Candidate Austin Barnes (Fairview Heights, Ill.-O'Fallon) tried to pin the Huskies deep in their own territory, but his 48-yard punt sailed into the end zone for a touchback. Three plays later, NIU found the endzone to double its lead, 14-0, with 7:37 left in the first quarter.

After another NIU score, the Green and White headed down the field in large part due to the running of Hill. The junior running back carried the ball five times on the drive for 36 yards. Eastern entered the redzone after Roback found Russell across the middle for 38 yards. Then, on third-and-goal from the five-yard line, Hill rushed up the middle but was stopped at the two. After en EMU false start penalty, Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich.-Saline) split the uprights on a 25-yard field goal to cut into the deficit as the first quarter came to a close.

Hill was a bright spot for Eastern in the opening 15 minutes, rushing eight times for 59 yards to go along with a 10-yard reception as well. Through the air, Roback completed 4-of-8 throws for 60 yards.

After Benz took over the quarterback duties in the second quarter, Roback returned to start the second half, leading the Eagles on a 14-play, 60-yard drive that set up another Mulder field goal. The sophomore from Saline, Mich. converted his second attempt of the day, a 32-yarder, to make the contest, early in the second half.

NIU scored a quick touchdown, but the Eagles answered right back as Benz returned to the game. After an impressive return by Allen, the veteran quarterback pushed the Green and White 55 yards down the field in just 1:42. On the fifth play of the drive, Benz found his favorite receiver in the corner of the endzone as Russell corralled the ball for the EMU 9-yard touchdown.

Benz remained in the contest throughout the rest of the game and led EMU on a long, impressive drive. The Eagles chewed up 9:25, going 82 yards on 19 plays and converting two fourth down conversions along the way. Ryan Brumfield (Chester Springs, Pa.-Owen J. Robert) finished the drive off with a five-yard touchdown scamper to give the Eagles at least 20 points for the third straight game.

The Eagles will remain on the road for its next contest, heading south to square off against the University of Toledo Rockets, Nov. 2. The game will be under the lights of the Glass Bowl with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Team Stats

Brogan Roback

Tyler Benz

Players Mentioned

Tyler Allen

Austin Barnes

Tyler Benz

Ryan Brumfield

Javonti Greene

Bronson Hill

Dylan Mulder

Brogan Roback

Tyreese Russell

Players Mentioned

Tyler Allen

Austin Barnes

Tyler Benz

Ryan Brumfield

Javonti Greene

Bronson Hill

Dylan Mulder

Brogan Roback

Tyreese Russell

Eastern Michigan Athletics