Football Hosts Northern Illinois on Hall of Fame Weekend

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUGameDay.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University football team returns home Saturday, Oct. 25, for a Mid-American Conference West Division matchup against the Huskies of Northern Illinois University. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium.
   The Eagles are 2-5 (1-2 MAC) on the year following a 36-14 loss at the University of Massachusetts, Oct. 18. Meanwhile, the Huskies improved to 5-2 (2-1 MAC) with a 51-41 home victory over Miami University, Oct. 18.
   The contest will be televised by ESPN3 with Dan Gutowsky providing the play-by-play and John Gregory serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Chad Bush calling the action on the field.

HALL OF FAMERS RETURN TO CAMPUS: The E-Club Alumni Chapter, the official varsity athletic letterwinners club, will induct seven new members into the Athletic Hall of Fame this weekend. The Class of 2014 will be honored at the Hall of Fame ceremony Friday, Oct. 24, in the atrium of the Convocation Center. This year's class includes: Boaz Kisang Cheboiywo (men's cross country/track), Kathy Hart (women's basketball coach), Fred LaPlante (men's cross country/track), Tom Michael (men's swimming and diving), Lorenzo M. Neely (men's basketball), Allyson Newman (women's gymnastics) and Brett Petersmark (football).
   A reception will begin at 6 p.m. inside the Convocation Center followed by the ceremony and dinner at 7 p.m. The Class of 2014 will then be recognized at halftime of the football game on Saturday, Oct. 25. Reservations are $45 and include the evening reception and ceremony as well as a plated dinner and beverages.
   For questions please call the Office for Alumni Relations at 734.487.0250.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE HUSKIES: Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois are meeting for the 45th time in history. NIU holds a 28-14-2 advantage in the all-time series that dates back to 1927. The Huskies recorded a 59-20 victory last year, Oct. 26, 2013, in DeKalb, Ill. Eastern's last win in the series came Sept. 15, 2007, by a 21-19 margin.

LAST TIME WE MET: The Eagles dropped a 59-20 decision to the No. 18-ranked Huskies, Oct. 26, 2013, at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Ill. Brogan Roback made his first career start for EMU, completing 7-of-17 for 109 yards, including a career-long 38-yard pass to tight end Tyreese Russell. Tyler Benz 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 carried the ball 17 times for 66 yards while Bronson Hill added 65 yards rushing as well.
   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.

A GREAT TACKLING MACHINE: Redshirt-junior Great Ibe continues to be a major force for EMU defensive coordinator Brad McCaslin's linebacking corps. The Hanover, Md. product posted a career-best 21 tackles in the Oct. 18 contest at Gillette Stadium versus Massachusetts. The 21 stops are the most by an Eagle in recent memory and the second-best tally of any student-athlete in the nation this season.
   Ibe's total is the most by an Eagle since 2001 when Kenny Philpot hauled down 21 Cardinals in a contest against Ball State, Oct. 13. Eastern Michigan began tracking tackles in a game during the 1999 campaign, with Blake McCall holding the gold-standard with 29 against Ohio, Oct. 16, 1999.
   His 21 stops are also the most by a Mid-American Conference player in more than three seasons with Akron's Brian Wagner last topping the 20-tackle plateau with 22 takedowns against Florida International, Oct. 8, 2011.

Most EMU Tackles in a Game Since 1999
1.   29   Blake McCall   Ohio   Oct 16, 1999
t-2.   21   Great Ibe    at UMass   Oct 18, 2014
t-2.   21   Kenny Philpot   Ball State   Oct 13, 2001
4.   20   Scott Russell   Ball State   Nov 06, 1999
t-5.   19   Donald Coleman   at MSU   Sep 22, 2012
t-5.   19   Daniel Holtzclaw   Howard   Sep 22, 2007
t-7.   18   Keyvon Barbee   at BGSU   Nov 23, 2002
t-7.   18   David Lusky   East Tennessee   Aug 28, 2003
t-7.   18   David Lusky   at BGSU   Nov 23, 2002

Most Tackles in an FBS Game in 2014
1.    22    Zach Vigil, Utah St.    vs. Air Force     Oct. 11
t-2.    21    Great Ibe, EMU     at UMass     Oct. 18
t-2.     21    Ben Heeney, Kansas     vs. Texas Tech     Oct. 18
t-4.    20    Jordan Simone, Arizona St.     vs. USC    Oct. 4
t-4.    20    David Mayo, Texas St.    vs. Tulsa     Sept. 27
t-6.     19    Stanley Andre, UMass    vs. BGSU    Sept. 27
t-6.    19     Cole Farrand, Maryland     vs. Indiana     Sept. 27
t-6.    19    Dakota Cox, New Mexico    Fresno St.    Sept. 26

GREAT TACKLING GREAT IBE: Right in the middle of the Eastern defense, redshirt-junior Great Ibe has shown his versatility between rushing the quarterback and dropping back into coverage. Finding the ball carrier from all over the field, Ibe's 84 tackles lead EMU by a substantial margin as the next closest Eagle has recorded 59 tackles this season. The 84 tackles by the Eastern linebacker is the second-highest by an individual MAC defender as well as fifth in the nation.

ALLEN'S COUNTDOWN NEARLY COMPLETE: Senior Tyler Allen's journey to the top of the EMU record book in nearly complete, as the kickoff specialist is just 38 yards and 10 returns away from Trumaine Riley's all-time mark. In his career, Allen has run back 120 kickoffs for a total of 2,503 yards (20.9 avg/r.) while Riley brought back a Mid-American Conference record 130 kicks for a total of 2,541 yards (19.5 avg/r.) while playing for EMU from 2003-06.
   Earlier this season, the Lansing Mich. native passed current Pittsburgh Steeler and former Central Michigan receiver Antonio Brown for third place on the MAC's all-time return list.

EMU's Career Kick Return Leaders
1.   130   Trumaine Riley       2003-06
2.   120   Tyler Allen       2011-Pres.
3.   81   Corey Welch       2008-12
4.   76   Dontayo Gage       2006-09
5.   71   Steve Clay       1992-95

EMU's Career Kick Return Yardage Leaders
1.   2,541   Trumaine Riley       2003-06
2.   2,503   Tyler Allen       2011-Pres.
3.   1,772   Steve Clay       1992-95
4.   1,704   Corey Welch       2008-12
5.   1,587   Dontayo Gage       2006-09

MAC Career Kick Return Leaders
1.     130    Trumaine Riley (EMU)    2003-06
2.     127    Brandon West (WMU)    2006-09
3.     120    Tyler Allen (EMU)    2011-Pres.
4.     113    Antonio Brown (CMU)    2007-09
5.     91     Keith Crawford (OHIO)    1985-87

MAC Career Kick Return Yardage Leaders
1.    3,118,     Brandion West (WMU)     2006-09
2.     2,612    Antonio Brown (CMU)     2007-09
3.     2,541    Trumaine Riley (EMU)    2003-05
4.    2,503    Tyler Allen (EMU)    2001-Pres.
5.     2,185    Chris Garrett (OU)    2006-09

POC-MAN: Much like Pac-Man in the 1980s arcade game that became a pop culture phenomenon, Pat O'Connor has been gobbling up the opposition behind the line of scrimmage this season. The team co-captain currently leads the Mid-American Conference in both sacks as well as tackles-for-loss. Pushing opponents back a combined 60 yards on 10.0 tackles-for-loss, O'Connor's total ranks 17th nationally. The Windy City native is among the top-25 sack leaders throughout the country, as well as sitting at 14th with 6.5 sacks.

DEFENSE MAKING PROGRESS: The statistics might not fully show the Eagles' defensive improvements from last season, but a closer look proves the Green and White have made strides. Already in just seven games, the defense has recorded more pass breakups (23), fumbles forced (7), fumbles recovered (5) and kicks blocked (3) than they did in all of 2013. EMU is also nearing last year's total in tackles-for-loss (46) as well as quarterback hurries (33).

MR. COFFIN CORNER: Senior Owen Dubiel has done a fantastic job when it comes to punting the football in 2014. Out of 30 Dubiel punts, 12 have been downed inside the 20-yard line, and only three have gone into the end zone for a touchback. Moreover, 11 punts inside the 20 have actually been placed inside the 12, including four inside the five-yard line.

CREEAR'S CAREER DAY: Defensive back Willie Creear had a day to remember when the Eagles squared off against the University of Massachusetts, Oct. 18. The EMU senior recorded a fumble recovery and an interception to help the Eastern defense force two-of-three UMass turnovers. The two takeaways were the second fumble recovery and second interception of Creear's career. Also, the Seattle, Wash. native posted a personal-high 12 tackles in the Eagles' setback.

THE FACTORY CROWNED THE RUNNER-UP FOR THE BEST FIELD IN THE NATION: The nation has voted and the results are in. Eastern Michigan University with its gray turf at Rynearson Stadium has been voted the second-best field in college football, according to a fan poll.
   EMU finished in second-place in USA TODAY Sports' College Football Fan Index, which ranks fan bases based on social media metrics and the weekly surveys. Tennessee's Neyland Stadium claimed the top spot in the quest to rank the best college football fields.
   The blue turf of Boise State's Lyle Smith Field at Albertsons Stadium finished in third with East Carolina's Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Fickley Stadium and Air Force's Falcon Stadium rounding out the top five. Other universities whose fields were nominated include: Clemson, LSU, Missouri, Notre Dame, UCLA, and Wyoming.

THREE NAMED MIDSEASON ALL-MAC BY PHIL STEELE: Phil Steele has honored three Eastern Michigan University football players as members of his 2014 Mid-Season All-Mid-American Conference teams. Named to the All-MAC First Team were junior defensive lineman Pat O'Connor and redshirt-junior Great Ibe. Earning second team recognition was redshirt-sophomore Anthony Zappone.

EAGLES UNITE AT THE FACTORY: For the second consecutive season, the EMU Department of Athletics will recognize select home events as Eagles Unite Games. Introduced last season by EMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Heather Lyke, the designated contests are an opportunity for all athletes to be fans and cheer on their fellow student-athletes. Saturday's game against NIU has been designed as this year's Eagles Unite football game.
   All of EMU's 550+ student-athletes are encouraged to attend these specific games affiliated with the Eagles Unite campaign as an opportunity to show their school pride while building camaraderie amongst other student-athletes. Student-athlete were given a "Champions Built Here" t-shirt at their Great Expectations Fall Meeting to wear proudly at the games.
   Among the busy schedules of EMU student-athletes, these events encourage inter-team fandom, giving them a crowd of like-minded supporters to whom they can proudly show off their skills. It also creates a platform for student-athletes to get to know each other better.

BIG PLAY DAVE: EMU wide receiver David Gibson has been a big-play threat for the offense this season. All four of Gibson's receptions have been for 20 yards-or-more, including a 23-yard touchdown catch in the victory over Buffalo, Oct. 11. Gibson also made a 24-yard grab against the Bulls, while hauling in his first career catch, 31 yards, at Old Dominion. In Eastern's latest game at Massachusetts, the redshirt-junior caught a 29-yard pass.

FEELIN' FINE AT THE FACTORY: With the 37-27 victory over the University at Buffalo, Oct. 11, the Eagles remain undefeated at "The Factory." Since installing the new "EMU Gray" turf inside Rynearson Stadium prior to the 2014 campaign, the Green and White holds an unblemished 2-0 record at home. Between the wins over Morgan State, Aug. 30, and the Bulls, Eastern is averaging 34 points and 437.5 total yards of offense at home.

ON THE HORIZON: Following the game against Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan returns to "The Factory" turf for its second consecutive home contest. The Green and White will host Central Michigan University, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m. The contest against the Chippewas is also Band Day at Rynearson Stadium, with numerous high school bands in attendance, performing as one during a special halftime concert.

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Players Mentioned

Tyler Allen

Tyler Benz

Donald Coleman

Willie Creear

Owen Dubiel

David Gibson

Javonti Greene

Bronson Hill

Great Ibe

Pat O'Connor

Brogan Roback

Tyreese Russell

Anthony Zappone

Eastern Michigan Athletics