Eastern Michigan Athletics
Three Eastern Michigan Football Players Named All-MAC
12/4/2013 12:00:00 PM | Football, E-Gridiron Group
Tyreese Russell is second team while Lincoln Hansen and Bronson Hill are third team
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — Three members of the Eastern Michigan University football team were named to the All-Mid-American Conference teams Wednesday, Dec. 4, announced by the league office. Junior tight end Tyreese Russell (Chicago, Ill.-Walther Lutheran) earned second-team honors, while junior offensive lineman Lincoln Hansen (Omaha, Neb.-Millard North) and junior running back Bronson Hill (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Catholic Central) were named to the third team.
The postseason honors are the first for each of the student-athletes.
The Eagles finished the regular season ranked nationally in the top-75 in 11 statistical categories to go along with four top-five rankings in the MAC standings. EMU racked up 1,896 yards on the ground and 2,137 yards though the air, with each total ranking 12th-most in EMU history. On defense, the Green and White totaled 22 sacks, the most by an EMU squad since 2000 and the ninth-most all-time.
Russell started in all 12 games in 2013, leading the team in catches with 44 receptions for 594 yards and three touchdowns. His three touchdowns ranked second-most among the All-MAC tight end nominees. Named 2013 Mid-Season All-MAC by Phil Steele, Russell finished with an average of 13.5 yards per catch. Russell was also named to the Midseason Watch List for the 2013 John Mackey Award.
The Chicago, Ill. native had his best performance when he caught nine passes for 84 yards at Rutgers, Sept. 14. He also hauled in eight catches for 73 yards at Penn State, Sept. 7, and a career-best 90 yards on four receptions at nationally-ranked Northern Illinois, Oct. 26.
Hansen started all 12 games for EMU at right tackle this season. He helped EMU rack up 1,896 yards on the ground and 2,137 yards though the air, with each total ranking 12th-most in EMU history.
Hill started seven of 11 games for the Eagles in 2013 and 14 in his career. The Grand Rapids, Mich. native ranked 31st nationally in rushing, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. He became the first EMU running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season since Anthony Sherrell accomplished the feat during the 2003 season. Hill also passed the 2,000-yard plateau in his EMU career to become the 11th player to reach the mark in program history.
On the year, Hill carried the rock 196 times for 1,101 yards on the ground, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. In total, he surpassed 100-yards rushing in six games in 2013 and now has nine career 100-yard contests. The junior running back led the EMU offense with 23 carries, averaging 11.2 yards per rush in the Eagles, 56-28, setback to Ohio, Oct. 19. In the loss to the Bobcats, Hill broke free for a season-long 70-yard run, tying his 70-yard scamper against Toledo, Oct. 13, 2012, for the fourth longest run by an Eagle in Rynearson Stadium history.
The 2013 Vern Smith Leadership Award and MAC Offensive Player of the Year honors went to Northern Illinois University quarterback Jordan Lynch. The University at Buffalo's Khalil Mac was named the Defensive Player of the Year, the University of Toledo's Jeremiah Detmer earned the Special Teams Player of the Year and Western Michigan University's Corey Davis took home Freshman of the Year honors. In other awards, NIU Head Coach Rod Carey was named as the MAC Head Coach of the Year.
The All-MAC teams and the Vern Smith Leadership Award were selected by the MAC head coaches, while the other awards were voted by the MAC News Media Association.
Northern Illinois led the way in 2013 with six first team selections, followed by Buffalo with five and Ball State and Toledo each with four. Overall, Ball State set the pace with 15 honorees, followed by Toledo with 11 honorees, while Bowling Green and Northern Illinois each had 10 honorees.
2013 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: QB Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois
Coach of the Year: Rod Carey, Northern Illinois
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
Special Teams Player of the Year: K Jeremiah Detmer, Toledo
Freshman of the Year: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan
2013 All-MAC First Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois &
Center – Chief Kekuewa, Bowling Green
Offensive Linemen – Dominic Flewellyn, Bowling Green !
Offensive Lineman – Tyler Loos, Northern Illinois +
Offensive Lineman – Jasen Carlson, Buffalo
Offensive Linemen – Jordan Hansel, Ball State #!
Tight End – Zane Fakes, Ball State &
Wide Receiver – Willie Snead, Ball State &
Wide Receiver – Alex Neutz, Buffalo +
Wide Receiver – Titus Davis, Central Michigan %+
Wide Receiver – Tommylee Lewis, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Branden Oliver, Buffalo @
Running Back – David Fluellen, Toledo &
Placekicker – Jeremiah Detmer, Toledo !
2013 All-MAC First Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Khalil Mack, Buffalo @&
Outside Linebacker –Jamaal Bass, Northern Illinois
Inside Linebacker – Junior Sylvestre, Toledo
Inside Linebacker – Jatavis Brown, Akron
Down Lineman – Roosevelt Nix, Kent State ^@&
Down Lineman – Jonathan Newsome, Ball State +
Down Lineman – Ken Bishop, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jayrone Elliott, Toledo
Defensive Back – Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois #&
Defensive Back – BooBoo Gates, Bowling Green &
Defensive Back – Dayonne Nunley, Miami @&
Defensive Back – Najja Johnson, Buffalo
Punter – Zac Murphy, Miami $
2013 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Devin Bass, Ohio
Punt Return Specialist –Travis Carrie, Ohio
2013 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Keith Wenning, Ball State +
Center – Zac Kerin, Toledo #&
Offensive Lineman – Greg Mancz, Toledo !
Offensive Lineman – Jared Volk, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Andy Phillips, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Alex Huettel, Bowling Green
Tight End – Tyreese Russell, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Bernard Reedy, Toledo &
Wide Receiver – Da'Ron Brown, Northern Illinois
Wide Receiver – Corey Davis, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Donte' Foster, Ohio
Running Back – Travis Greene, Bowling Green
Running Back – Jahwan Edwards, Ball State !
Placekicker – Josiah Yazdani, Ohio
2013 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – D.J. Lynch, Bowling Green
Outside Linebacker – Gabe Martin, Bowling Green &
Inside Linebacker – Ben Ingle, Ball State
Inside Linebacker – Kent Kern, Miami
Down Lineman – Nate Ollie, Ball State #!
Down Lineman – Travonte Boles, Western Michigan
Down Lineman – Ted Ouellet, Bowling Green !
Down Lineman – Wes Williams, Miami
Defensive Back – Jeff Garrett, Ball State
Defensive Back – Malachi Freeman, Akron
Defensive Back – Devin Bass, Ohio
Defensive Back – Darius Polk, Kent State
Punter – Anthony Melchiori, Kent State
2013 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jamill Smith, Ball State !
Punt Return Specialist – Ryan Burbrink, Bowling Green
2013 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Terrance Owens, Toledo
Center – Jacob Richard, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Anthony Dima, UMass
Offensive Lineman – Jeff Myers, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Jarrod Pugshley, Akron
Offensive Lineman – Lincoln Hansen, Eastern Michigan
Tight End – Alex Bayer, Bowling Green !
Wide Receiver – Jordan Williams, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Dri Archer, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Jamill Smith, Ball State &
Wide Receiver – Alonzo Russell, Toledo !
Running Back – Bronson Hill, Eastern Michigan
Running Back – Jawon Chisholm, Akron
Placekicker – Scott Secor, Ball State
2013 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Justin March, Akron
Outside Linebacker – Adam Redden, Buffalo
Inside Linebacker – Shamari Benton, Central Michigan
Inside Linebacker – Justin Cherocci, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Colby Way, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Joe Windsor, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Nico Caponi, Akron
Down Lineman – Treyvon Hester, Toledo
Defensive Back – Dechane Durante, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Luke Wollet, Kent State %+
Defensive Back – Donald Celiscar, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Travis Carrie, Ohio #
Punter – Zach Paul, Akron
2013 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Dri Archer, Kent State &
Punt Return Specialist – Jamill Smith, Ball State #!
& 2012 First team All-MAC
+ 2012 Second team All-MAC
! 2012 Third team All-MAC
@ 2011 First team All-MAC
# 2011 Second team All-MAC
% 2011 Third team All-MAC
^ 2010 First team All-MAC
$ 2010 Third team All-MAC
The postseason honors are the first for each of the student-athletes.
The Eagles finished the regular season ranked nationally in the top-75 in 11 statistical categories to go along with four top-five rankings in the MAC standings. EMU racked up 1,896 yards on the ground and 2,137 yards though the air, with each total ranking 12th-most in EMU history. On defense, the Green and White totaled 22 sacks, the most by an EMU squad since 2000 and the ninth-most all-time.
Russell started in all 12 games in 2013, leading the team in catches with 44 receptions for 594 yards and three touchdowns. His three touchdowns ranked second-most among the All-MAC tight end nominees. Named 2013 Mid-Season All-MAC by Phil Steele, Russell finished with an average of 13.5 yards per catch. Russell was also named to the Midseason Watch List for the 2013 John Mackey Award.
The Chicago, Ill. native had his best performance when he caught nine passes for 84 yards at Rutgers, Sept. 14. He also hauled in eight catches for 73 yards at Penn State, Sept. 7, and a career-best 90 yards on four receptions at nationally-ranked Northern Illinois, Oct. 26.
Hansen started all 12 games for EMU at right tackle this season. He helped EMU rack up 1,896 yards on the ground and 2,137 yards though the air, with each total ranking 12th-most in EMU history.
Hill started seven of 11 games for the Eagles in 2013 and 14 in his career. The Grand Rapids, Mich. native ranked 31st nationally in rushing, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. He became the first EMU running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season since Anthony Sherrell accomplished the feat during the 2003 season. Hill also passed the 2,000-yard plateau in his EMU career to become the 11th player to reach the mark in program history.
On the year, Hill carried the rock 196 times for 1,101 yards on the ground, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. In total, he surpassed 100-yards rushing in six games in 2013 and now has nine career 100-yard contests. The junior running back led the EMU offense with 23 carries, averaging 11.2 yards per rush in the Eagles, 56-28, setback to Ohio, Oct. 19. In the loss to the Bobcats, Hill broke free for a season-long 70-yard run, tying his 70-yard scamper against Toledo, Oct. 13, 2012, for the fourth longest run by an Eagle in Rynearson Stadium history.
The 2013 Vern Smith Leadership Award and MAC Offensive Player of the Year honors went to Northern Illinois University quarterback Jordan Lynch. The University at Buffalo's Khalil Mac was named the Defensive Player of the Year, the University of Toledo's Jeremiah Detmer earned the Special Teams Player of the Year and Western Michigan University's Corey Davis took home Freshman of the Year honors. In other awards, NIU Head Coach Rod Carey was named as the MAC Head Coach of the Year.
The All-MAC teams and the Vern Smith Leadership Award were selected by the MAC head coaches, while the other awards were voted by the MAC News Media Association.
Northern Illinois led the way in 2013 with six first team selections, followed by Buffalo with five and Ball State and Toledo each with four. Overall, Ball State set the pace with 15 honorees, followed by Toledo with 11 honorees, while Bowling Green and Northern Illinois each had 10 honorees.
2013 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: QB Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois
Coach of the Year: Rod Carey, Northern Illinois
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
Special Teams Player of the Year: K Jeremiah Detmer, Toledo
Freshman of the Year: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan
2013 All-MAC First Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois &
Center – Chief Kekuewa, Bowling Green
Offensive Linemen – Dominic Flewellyn, Bowling Green !
Offensive Lineman – Tyler Loos, Northern Illinois +
Offensive Lineman – Jasen Carlson, Buffalo
Offensive Linemen – Jordan Hansel, Ball State #!
Tight End – Zane Fakes, Ball State &
Wide Receiver – Willie Snead, Ball State &
Wide Receiver – Alex Neutz, Buffalo +
Wide Receiver – Titus Davis, Central Michigan %+
Wide Receiver – Tommylee Lewis, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Branden Oliver, Buffalo @
Running Back – David Fluellen, Toledo &
Placekicker – Jeremiah Detmer, Toledo !
2013 All-MAC First Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Khalil Mack, Buffalo @&
Outside Linebacker –Jamaal Bass, Northern Illinois
Inside Linebacker – Junior Sylvestre, Toledo
Inside Linebacker – Jatavis Brown, Akron
Down Lineman – Roosevelt Nix, Kent State ^@&
Down Lineman – Jonathan Newsome, Ball State +
Down Lineman – Ken Bishop, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jayrone Elliott, Toledo
Defensive Back – Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois #&
Defensive Back – BooBoo Gates, Bowling Green &
Defensive Back – Dayonne Nunley, Miami @&
Defensive Back – Najja Johnson, Buffalo
Punter – Zac Murphy, Miami $
2013 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Devin Bass, Ohio
Punt Return Specialist –Travis Carrie, Ohio
2013 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Keith Wenning, Ball State +
Center – Zac Kerin, Toledo #&
Offensive Lineman – Greg Mancz, Toledo !
Offensive Lineman – Jared Volk, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Andy Phillips, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Alex Huettel, Bowling Green
Tight End – Tyreese Russell, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Bernard Reedy, Toledo &
Wide Receiver – Da'Ron Brown, Northern Illinois
Wide Receiver – Corey Davis, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Donte' Foster, Ohio
Running Back – Travis Greene, Bowling Green
Running Back – Jahwan Edwards, Ball State !
Placekicker – Josiah Yazdani, Ohio
2013 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – D.J. Lynch, Bowling Green
Outside Linebacker – Gabe Martin, Bowling Green &
Inside Linebacker – Ben Ingle, Ball State
Inside Linebacker – Kent Kern, Miami
Down Lineman – Nate Ollie, Ball State #!
Down Lineman – Travonte Boles, Western Michigan
Down Lineman – Ted Ouellet, Bowling Green !
Down Lineman – Wes Williams, Miami
Defensive Back – Jeff Garrett, Ball State
Defensive Back – Malachi Freeman, Akron
Defensive Back – Devin Bass, Ohio
Defensive Back – Darius Polk, Kent State
Punter – Anthony Melchiori, Kent State
2013 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jamill Smith, Ball State !
Punt Return Specialist – Ryan Burbrink, Bowling Green
2013 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Terrance Owens, Toledo
Center – Jacob Richard, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Anthony Dima, UMass
Offensive Lineman – Jeff Myers, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Jarrod Pugshley, Akron
Offensive Lineman – Lincoln Hansen, Eastern Michigan
Tight End – Alex Bayer, Bowling Green !
Wide Receiver – Jordan Williams, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Dri Archer, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Jamill Smith, Ball State &
Wide Receiver – Alonzo Russell, Toledo !
Running Back – Bronson Hill, Eastern Michigan
Running Back – Jawon Chisholm, Akron
Placekicker – Scott Secor, Ball State
2013 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Justin March, Akron
Outside Linebacker – Adam Redden, Buffalo
Inside Linebacker – Shamari Benton, Central Michigan
Inside Linebacker – Justin Cherocci, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Colby Way, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Joe Windsor, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Nico Caponi, Akron
Down Lineman – Treyvon Hester, Toledo
Defensive Back – Dechane Durante, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Luke Wollet, Kent State %+
Defensive Back – Donald Celiscar, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Travis Carrie, Ohio #
Punter – Zach Paul, Akron
2013 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Dri Archer, Kent State &
Punt Return Specialist – Jamill Smith, Ball State #!
& 2012 First team All-MAC
+ 2012 Second team All-MAC
! 2012 Third team All-MAC
@ 2011 First team All-MAC
# 2011 Second team All-MAC
% 2011 Third team All-MAC
^ 2010 First team All-MAC
$ 2010 Third team All-MAC
Eastern Rally Falls Short Against Ohio
Saturday, October 25
2025 Football Week 9 Hype vs. Ohio
Friday, October 24
EMU Football Pregame Press Conference: Week 9 vs. Ohio
Monday, October 20
2025 Football Week 8 Hype vs. Miami
Friday, October 17