Eastern Michigan Athletics
Five Eagles Earn Athlon Sports All-MAC Accolades
6/19/2014 4:44:00 PM | Football, E-Gridiron Group
Hansen and Russell named to the first team while Hill, Hurcombe and O'Connor claim third team honors
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Five members of the Eastern Michigan University football team have been selected as All-Mid-American Conference honorees prior to the start of the season by Athlon Sports, June 19. Two seniors, offensive lineman Lincoln Hansen (Omaha, Neb.-Millard North) and tight end Tyreese Russell (Chicago, Ill.-Walther Lutheran) were named to the first team, while running back Bronson Hill (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Catholic Central), offensive lineman Jake Hurcombe (Lincolnshire, Ill.-Stevenson) and defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita) were tabbed as third team members.
This is the second preseason all-conference honor for Hansen, Russell and Hill as the trio was named to Phil Steele's preseason All-MAC teams. The three Eagles also earned all-league accolades from the Mid-American Conference office in 2013.
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 he played for the Eagles in 2013. 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' 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.
Hurcombe was also a focal point on the offensive line in 2013, playing in all 12 games and making 11 starts to help the Eagles total the 12th-most passing and rushing yards in program laurels.
O'Connor collected 44 tackles, including five sacks to go along with four quarterback hurries and three pass breakups throughout the 2013 campaign as he earned the John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award at the team's annual year-end banquet. As a junior, O'Connor picked up a sack in each of EMU's first three games of the season, while tallying a career-high eight tackles in the Eagles' season-opening victory versus Howard, Aug. 31.
With the season just around the corner, season tickets are available for Head Coach Chris Creighton's first year at the helm of Eastern Michigan's football program. The Eagles will host four Mid-American Conference rivals at Rynearson Stadium, while opening the season with a non-conference contest versus Morgan State, Aug. 30. Fans can now order reserved non-chairback season tickets (sections 104-106 below the press box) for just $75. EMU faculty and staff, along with youth, can secure non-chairback season tickets for $50. Reserved chairback seats can be purchased for $100 along with a $200 donation to EMU Football or to Eagles Pride (formerly known as the EMU Athletic Club). Additionally, a limited amount of seats are available in the Eagles Pride Suite located on the second floor of the press box. Eagles Pride Suite tickets are $150 along with a $1,500 donation to EMU Football or to Eagles Pride. Suite holders enjoy VIP parking, complimentary food and refreshments, along with the best seat in the house to watch the 2014 Eagles.
This is the second preseason all-conference honor for Hansen, Russell and Hill as the trio was named to Phil Steele's preseason All-MAC teams. The three Eagles also earned all-league accolades from the Mid-American Conference office in 2013.
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 he played for the Eagles in 2013. 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' 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.
Hurcombe was also a focal point on the offensive line in 2013, playing in all 12 games and making 11 starts to help the Eagles total the 12th-most passing and rushing yards in program laurels.
O'Connor collected 44 tackles, including five sacks to go along with four quarterback hurries and three pass breakups throughout the 2013 campaign as he earned the John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award at the team's annual year-end banquet. As a junior, O'Connor picked up a sack in each of EMU's first three games of the season, while tallying a career-high eight tackles in the Eagles' season-opening victory versus Howard, Aug. 31.
With the season just around the corner, season tickets are available for Head Coach Chris Creighton's first year at the helm of Eastern Michigan's football program. The Eagles will host four Mid-American Conference rivals at Rynearson Stadium, while opening the season with a non-conference contest versus Morgan State, Aug. 30. Fans can now order reserved non-chairback season tickets (sections 104-106 below the press box) for just $75. EMU faculty and staff, along with youth, can secure non-chairback season tickets for $50. Reserved chairback seats can be purchased for $100 along with a $200 donation to EMU Football or to Eagles Pride (formerly known as the EMU Athletic Club). Additionally, a limited amount of seats are available in the Eagles Pride Suite located on the second floor of the press box. Eagles Pride Suite tickets are $150 along with a $1,500 donation to EMU Football or to Eagles Pride. Suite holders enjoy VIP parking, complimentary food and refreshments, along with the best seat in the house to watch the 2014 Eagles.
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